1882. Why does the name “Jesus” reveal God’s mercy to sinners? (CCC 1846) The name “Jesus” reveals God’s mercy to sinners, because it means “the one who saves” (from sins).

1883. Why can God when He casts a light on sin be compared to a physician? (CCC 1848) When He casts a light on sin God can be compared to a physician, because like a physician He probes the wound (= sin) before treating it.

1884. What definition of sin does St Augustine give? (CCC 1849) St Augustine († 430) gives the following definition of sin: [sin is] an utterance, a deed or a desire contrary to the eternal law.

1885. To what is the self-exaltation of sin diametrically opposed? (CCC 1850) The self-exaltation of sin is diametrically opposed to the obedience of Christ.

1886. How can sins be classified? (CCC 1853) Sins can be classified according to:
1. their object: e.g. stealing, murdering, lying
2. the virtues they oppose
3. the commandments they violate
4. the other person they involve: God, neighbour, oneself
5. their nature: spiritual or carnal sins
6. the ways in which they are committed: thought, word, deed or omission.

1887. Where does Scripture distinguish between mortal and venial sin? (CCC 1854) Scripture distinguishes between mortal and venial sin in 1 Jn 5.

1888. How does mortal sin affect the theological virtue of charity in the soul of man? (CCC 1855) Mortal sin effects the theological virtue of charity by destroying it in the soul of man.

1889. How does venial sin affect the theological virtue of charity in the soul of man? (CCC 1855) Venial sin affects the theological virtue of charity by wounding it in the soul of man without destroying it.

1890. How is conversion after a mortal sin normally accomplished? (CCC 1856) Conversion after a mortal sin is normally accomplished within Confession.

1891. What three conditions must be met for a sin to be mortal? (CCC 1857) For a sin to be mortal, the following conditions must be met:
1. the sin’s object must be grave matter
2. the sin must be committed with full knowledge
3. the sin must be committed with complete consent.

1892. What is “grave matter” (materia gravis)? (CCC 1858) Grave matter is the matter specified by the Ten Commandments.

1893. How can the voluntary and free character of an offence be diminished? (CCC 1860) The voluntary and free character of an offence can be diminished by:
1. unintentional ignorance
2. the promptings of feelings and passions
3. external pressures
4. pathological disorders.

1894. When must a sin be considered especially grave? (CCC 1860) A sin must be considered especially grave when it is committed through malice, by a deliberate choice of evil.

1895. In what does mortal sin result? (CCC 1861) Mortal sin results in:
1. the loss of charity
2. the privation of sanctifying grace
3. the eternal death of hell (if it is not redeemed).

1896. Under what circumstances is a venial sin committed? (CCC 1862) A venial sin is committed:
1. in a light matter: when the standards of the moral law are not observed
2. in a grave matter: when the knowledge is not full or without complete consent.

1897. What are the consequences of venial sin? (CCC 1863) The consequences of venial sin are:
1. a weakening of charity
2. an impeding of the soul’s progress in sanctity
3. the meriting of temporal punishment
4. an increasing disposition toward mortal sin.
Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of eternal happiness.

1898. What is the blasphemy against the Spirit that will not be forgiven? (CCC 1864) The blasphemy against the Spirit that will not be forgiven is the deliberate refusal to accept God’s mercy by repenting.

1899. What is the reason for the proliferation of sin? (CCC 1865) The reason for the proliferation of sin is the fact that sin engenders vice and thus tends to reproduce and reinforce itself.

1900. What is a vice? (CCC 1865) A vice is a perverse inclination toward a particular sin and is engendered by the repetition of sins.

1901. How can vices be classified? (CCC 1866) Vices can be classified:
1. according to the virtues they oppose
2. according to the capital sins to which they are linked.

1902. What are the seven capital sins? (CCC 1866) The seven capital sins are: pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony and spiritual sloth (acedia).
The name “capital” sins indicates that these sins engender other sins and vices.

1903. What are the five sins that cry to heaven for vengeance? (CCC 1867) The five sins that cry to heaven for vengeance are:
1. the blood of Abel
2. the sin of the Sodomites
3. the cry of the people oppressed in Egypt
4. the cry of the foreigner, the widow and the orphan
5. the injustice to the wage earner.

1904. When does one have a responsibility for the sins committed by others? (CCC 1868) One has a responsibility for the sins committed by others when one cooperates in them by:
1. participating directly and voluntarily in them
2. ordering, advising, praising or approving them
3. not disclosing or not hindering them when there is an obligation to do so
4. protecting evil-doers.

1905. What are “structures of sin”? (CCC 1869) “Structures of sin” are social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness.