Mortal sin
According to Catholicism, a mortal sin, unlike a venial sin, must meet all of the following conditions:
- subject must be ?grave matter?;
- it must be committed with full knowledge
- it must be committed with deliberate and complete consent.
Mortal sin is defined by St. Augustine (Contra Faustum, XXII, xxvii) as "Dictum vel factum vel concupitum contra legem æternam", i.e. something said, done or desired contrary to the eternal law, or a thought, word, or deed contrary to the eternal law. According to Catholic doctrine, a mortal sin produces macula, or stain on the soul.
Mortal sins are not to be confused with the deadly sins.
