Venial sin

Venial sin is a sin according to traditional Catholic teaching that does not lead to eternal damnation - and thus differs from a mortal sin.

A mortal sin is not available if any of the following apply:

The venial sins affect the communion with God and the people in the way that they lead to consequences of sin in the temporal existence that may require in case of death, a purification in Purgatory, before the soul can enjoy the vision of God.

The grave sin ( mortal sin ) - as a conscious departure from the love of God - causes the punishment of hell, exclusion from communion with God. The turning to God is possible through perfect contrition. This repentance leading to the restoration of the baptismal grace. This calls for serious sins in any case, a confession with the priest's absolution. In the sacrament of Penance ( Confession ), the Church speaks the repentant sinner even the forgiveness of God ( through the priest, acting in persona Christi ), when the certainty about the perfection of repentance is missing. This certainty can not be obtained outside of the sacrament.

The Confession venial sins causes - similar to the confession of mortal sins - the forgiveness of gebeichteten issues; However venial sins with perfect contrition ( " contrition " ) are also awarded without receiving the Sacrament of Penance.

• Moral Theology