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What is the difference between mortal and venial sin?

Catholic.id Editors · Reviewed against the Catechism

Moral Life

The short answer

A mortal sin is a grave matter committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent; it destroys charity in the heart and must be confessed. A venial sin is less serious — either the matter is lesser or knowledge or consent is incomplete. It wounds but does not destroy our friendship with God.

The distinction is biblical

Saint John writes, "All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly" (1 John 5:17), having just mentioned "deadly sin." The Church has always recognized that some sins break our relationship with God, while others weaken it (CCC 1854).

Three conditions for mortal sin

For a sin to be mortal, all three must be present (CCC 1857):

  1. Grave matter — a serious violation, specified by the Ten Commandments (e.g. murder, adultery, apostasy, theft of something significant).
  2. Full knowledge — the person knows it is seriously wrong.
  3. Deliberate consent — the person freely chooses it.

If any condition is missing, the sin is not mortal — though it may still be serious.

What reduces responsibility

Ignorance that is not one's fault, strong passions, external pressure, or pathological disorders can diminish the voluntary character of an act (CCC 1860). The Church judges acts, but leaves the final judgement of persons to God (CCC 1861).

Venial sin

Venial sin "weakens charity" and makes it harder to resist more serious sin, but it does not cut us off from God's grace (CCC 1863). It is forgiven through contrition, prayer, acts of love, and the Eucharist — and confessing it is warmly encouraged.

What to do after a mortal sin

Make an act of perfect contrition at once, and go to confession as soon as possible. Do not receive Communion until you have been absolved (CCC 1385).

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