Expert: Edward Bode - 10/22/2006

Question
thanks Edward, I just wanted to write back because your views re: mortal sin and my question, are really what I think is the way it should be.  I'm not speaking about murdering someone. Just something like a missed mass. But thanks again, you were very helpful.

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello Edward,
First, I have to set this up so please bear with me. I get together with a group of friends every so often, and we got into a religious discussion. One is a former nun, one a former catholic (devout cath.) and changed and is now an episcopalian. As for me I went to Parochial school all 12 yrs. And I'm a practicing catholic. In school we had priests that would come into the classroom and talk to us, especially just before high school. And some of them were very nice and receptive to our questions, just like some of our nuns were very nice explaining our religion, but there were some nuns & some of the priests who were hell and damnation.
Now re: discussion we got into, Mortal sin was brought up.
Why do we as catholics have mortal sin.  No one in the group could give a definitive answer.  We know the textbook, but not enough explanation.  This is the question:
If one goes to church every Sun, and holy days of obligation, and then for some reason misses a sunday, they rush to confession and are completely afraid they will be run over with a truck and die before they can get to a priest. (As one of our group brought up.)  I for one do not believe in a vengeful God, as some of our nuns did. This is why some of my classmates have left the church. Too bad, but that's why. I believe in an all loving God. I can't believe a practicing catholic would be damned to Hell for one mortal sin.  What are your views on this?
Sorry to write a book, but I just couldn't do it any other way.  Thank you.
-----Answer-----
Jan, I have been thinking, checking sources, and praying about a response to your query.
I am not a moral theologian to decide specific cases. [If you wish advice on specific cases (such as you mentioned), please confer with a competent confessor.]  
So,I address the basic doctrines connected with your question.  
First, hell:  Based on scripture, the tradition of the Church has consistently taught that God wants all people to be saved and that God is loving and not vengeful; however, if a person refuses to love God and chooses his own will in contradiction to the loving obedience owed to the Creator and Redeemer, then such a person who remains until death in the state of rejecting God has separated him/herself from God and so suffers the consequences of such a willful and deliberate act -- the consequences are separation from God [hell]. For the teaching of the Church on hell, read The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1033-1037 [on line at: nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/index.htm].
Second, mortal sin:  What puts a person in the state of mortal sin?  The theoretical answer is a serious moral evil [the serious matter] to which one consents [the will] with  reflection [the intellect].  [Catechism, paragraphs 1854-1864; 2181]  So, if a person makes such a decision against God, then that person is in a state of oppositon to God.  God does not force a person to change from hate to love in violation of that person's free choice.  God does not send people to hell; people send themselves there.  One such decision makes a person enter the state of mortal sin.
The Church teaches that the forgiveness of personal mortal sin comes not only from the Sacrament of Penance but also from a perfect act of contrition when the sacrament is not available. [Catechism, paragraph 1452]
God is loving, forgiving, merciful. God gives us the graces to do what is right and wants us to attain salvation [heaven]. However, God will not force us to accept His offerings.  If we turn against God and die in that state of animosity, we have chosen our suffering the consequences [hell].
If you would like further comments, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes, Jan


Answer
Glad to be of some help.
The obligation to attend Mass on certain days is a grave  obligation [Catechism, paragraph 2181].  For the circumstances in which one would commit a serious sin against this obligation, I would refer you a competent moral theologian.
If you would like further thoughts or my pursuing the matter further, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes, Jan, and thanks for the evaluation.