If a Christian denies the faith under torture, is that apostasy?
The short answer
Objectively, totally repudiating the faith is apostasy, a grave matter. But torture can impair the ability to choose freely, and a mortal sin requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. Such a person has not shown a martyr's heroic virtue, yet may not be culpable of apostasy.
The objective act
Anyone who totally repudiates the Christian faith has, objectively, committed apostasy (CCC 2089), which is grave matter.
The effect of torture
Torture can diminish a person's ability to choose purposefully. For grave matter to be a mortal sin, there must also be full knowledge and deliberate consent (CCC 1857). So while the person has not shown the heroic virtue of a martyr, he may not be culpable of apostasy.
Denial, then repentance
Someone facing martyrdom may first deny the faith and later repent and go to his death, as St. Joan of Arc did: she first tried to save herself from the flames, then repented. She might be called the patron saint of reluctant martyrs.
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