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Article XVI

Of Sin after Baptism

Not every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given and fall into sin, and by the grace of God we may arise again and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say, they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

venial sin (meaning "forgivable" sin) is a lesser sin that does not result in a complete separation from God and eternal damnation in Hell. A venial sin involves a "temporary loss of grace" from God.

Mortal sin, according to the beliefs of Roman Catholicism, is a sin that, unless confessed and absolved (or at least sacramental confession is willed if not available), condemns a person's soul to Hell after death. These sins are considered "mortal" because they constitute a rupture in a person's link to God's saving grace: the person's soul becomes "dead", not merely weakened.

Venial sins can be forgiven by taking the Eucharist but mortal sin bars the person from taking the Eucharist and can only be forgiven by sacramental confession. Those who die in the state of mortal sin go straight to hell according to Roman catholic belief.(1)

Now in the east there is distinction between these types of sin but no name. In the east those who die in the state of what would be mortal sin are not automatically believed to be damned to hell.

So no matter how you see your sin you should have sacramental confession done to absolve you of your sin.

Written by:

Allen Bailey: aspirant of the Anglican province of America

(1) Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1035