Expert: Fr. Michael - 9/9/2009

Question
I was just wondering if masturbation is a mortal sin, or a venial sin. And please explain to me the conditions of someone who started masterbating at a young age, and is now a teenager who cannot stop no matter how hard they try. Will God judge the heart for trying to stop, or will somebody go to hell for continuously masterbating when they know it is wrong. By the way I do not have lustful thought when i do it, i simply think of other things I enjoy so i was wondering if this was a different case.

Answer
Some questions are of a highly personal or individual nature that it would not be suitable to discuss by E-mail.  These are questions on which you would most appropriately be given advice and counsel by your own traditional confessor, who can come to know you and
knowledgeably guide your spiritual life.  If you do not have a regular traditional confessor, you should consult the Official Traditional Catholic Directory (www.traditio.com/nat.htm) to find one as conveniently local to you as is available.  Sometimes it may take some effort, but in that effort you will enhance the grace of Faith and will develop a relationship with a confessor who can personally come to know your spiritual state and prudently guide you.