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Mortal Sinning

Last Friday, September 2, the Boston Globe had an article entitled “Pope urges Catholics to care for planet: adds obligation to traditional works of mercy.”  He is quoted as saying “every Catholic should go to Confession to repent his or her sins against the environment.”   That’s quite an addition to our list of sins we would be asked to confess.  The trouble is: what are those sins?   Are they mortal sins as opposed to venial sins?  Do we break our friendship with God or do we injure it?

Pope Francis has highlighted global warming and climate change as “contributing to the heart-rending refugee crisis” with the “world’s poor, though least responsible for climate change, are most vulnerable and already suffering its impact.”  With that said, I suggest sins against the environment are mortal sins. 

Many may disagree with me.  But, I’m not speaking of driving less and turning off lights as mortal sins (venial sins?).  I speak more of our consumer behavior that includes destruction of rain forests, loss of glaciers, warming oceans, and crippled rivers by diverting water for consumer needs.  The list goes on, but must be better defined to guide us.

A sin is severe or mortal if it satisfies the following conditions:  (1) its subject must be a grave (or serious) matter; (2) it must be committed with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity of the offense; and (3) it must be committed with deliberate and complete consent, enough for it to have been a personal decision to commit the sin.  The more we learn about how we as individuals and as a society (world-wide) are damaging our environment and planet, the more we can be sure our sins are mortal.  

According to our Catechism, grave matter is specified by the 10 Commandments corresponding to Jesus' answer to the rich, young man with one being: “Honor your father and your mother.”   Mother Earth continues to be injured – and severely.   Our Father’s Creation continues to be destroyed.    There is dishonor everywhere, and that’s mortal sin, in my opinion. 

Deacon David Pierce

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