NATURE OF SIN

By Edward Matulanya 

In Roman Catholic theology, sin is considered an offense against God, a violation of His law, and a turning away from His love and commandments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines sin as:

> “An offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1993, para. 1849).

Sin distorts human reason and the will, harming relationships with God, oneself, and the community. For an act to be considered sinful, it requires knowledge and deliberate consent.

2. Types of Sin

a. Original Sin

Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve 


Original sin refers to the fallen state inherited from Adam and Eve. It wounds human nature and inclines humans toward sin (concupiscence), though it does not constitute personal guilt. Baptism restores sanctifying grace and removes original sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1993, paras. 404–405).

b. Actual Sin

Actual sins are personal acts of wrongdoing, subdivided into mortal and venial sins:

i. Mortal Sin

A grave act that destroys the life of grace in the soul.

Requires grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1993, para. 1857).

Mortal sin severs a person from God’s friendship and requires sacramental confession for forgiveness (Code of Canon Law, 1983, canon 916).

ii. Venial Sin

A lesser sin that weakens but does not sever one’s relationship with God.

Can be forgiven through prayer, charitable acts, and participation in the Eucharist (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1993, para. 1862).

3. Effects of Sin

Spiritual separation from God

Disorder of the will and intellect

Harm to others and the community of the Church

Habitual sin increases difficulty in turning back to God (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1993, para. 1861).

4. Redemption from Sin

Christ’s sacrifice redeems humanity from sin. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, believers can confess sins, receive absolution, and restore sanctifying grace (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1993, paras. 1422–1424).

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1993). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Code of Canon Law. (1983). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/cic_index_en.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FAITH OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Image
Image of Catholic Church at Vatican By Edward Matulanya Here are Meaning, believe, founder, sacraments, teaching source, Morals, source of faith, History and key teaching of Roman Catholic Church. 1. Meaning of Roman Catholic Church  The Roman Catholic Church means the universal Christian community under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). 2. Understand the Core Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Faith The Roman Catholic Church belief in one God in three persons ; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §234; Matt. 28:19). Catholics hold that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, whose incarnation, death, and resurrection bring salvation to humanity (CCC, 1997, §§461–463; John 1:14). 2. Founder of Roman Catholic Church  The Church, founded by Christ on the apostles with the pope as Peter’s successor, is “the universal sacrament of salvation” (CCC, 1997, §774; Matt. 16:18–19). Salvation is a gift of grace received through faith ...
Read more

TWELVE APOSTLES OF JESUS

Image
  Jesus Christ with twelve apostles at last feast By Edward Matulanya Here are twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, celebration of Eucharist, their mission, their succession, their liturgical Celebration a summary of their lives.  The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus personally chose and appointed the Twelve to share in His mission and to lay the foundation of the Church. Twelve apostles chosen by Jesus  Jesus called his disciples, and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles (Luke 6:13, NABRE). They were to be with Him, to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons (Mark 3:13-19). Celebration of Eucharist At the Last Supper He conferred on them a share in His priesthood and the command to celebrate the Eucharist (Luke 22:19–20; Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994/2019, §§859–860). Catholics hold that this apostolic ministry continues through apostolic succession, with bishops as the successors of the apostles (CCC §§861–862). The Role of Jesus’ Ap...
Read more

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO

Image
Saint Joseph of Cupertino  By Edward Matulanya Early life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino St. Joseph of Cupertino was born June 17, 1603, in Cupertino, Apulia (southern Italy). Orphaned before birth and raised in poverty, he struggled with learning and was considered slow by his peers. After repeated rejections from religious communities, he was eventually accepted as a servant by the Conventual Franciscans and later admitted as a friar. Vocational life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino  Despite his lack of education, Joseph was ordained a priest in 1628 after a providentially simple examination. He became famous for extraordinary mystical phenomena, especially levitation during ecstatic prayer. These events attracted large crowds and even the attention of the Inquisition, though he was never condemned. Because the public excitement disrupted community life, Joseph spent much of his later years in seclusion, devoted to humility and prayer. He died on September 18, 1663, in Osimo, Ital...
Read more