Q. People with bipolar depression can explode with anger and seeming hate. Is their behavior a sin even if they don’t completely comprehend what they have said or done?
A. A very good question that touches on several issues in real life. Thank you for asking it.
The Catholic Church divides actual sin into two categories, mortal sin and venial sin. The Bible teaches that sin is one of the most fundamental aspects of understanding life with God and what it means to know Him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a fine explanation on sin and mercy in paragraphs 1846-1869.
The Catechism describes mortal sin (CCC 1857): “For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: ‘Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.’” According to the Catechism, “Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments.” It further says mortal sin “results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell.”
Mortal sin comes from the Latin word “mortis” meaning deadly. Therefore, as the Catechism states, mortal sin must have three elements together: 1.) It is serious/grave in its nature, 2.) One must have full reflection of the will in considering the sin, and 3.) After full deliberation of the intellect and will one must choose the sin.
Regarding venial sin, the Catechism describes the following (1862- 1863): “One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent. Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul’s progress in the exercise of virtues and practice of moral good; it merits temporal punishment. However, venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God; it does not break the covenant with God. With God’s grace, it is humanly reparable. ‘Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness (St. Augustine).’”
Relevant Scripture passages dealing with sin and forgiveness include: Mark 10:19; Luke 10:12, 14; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; James 2:10; 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 8:38-39.
Now, that being said, we all know factors—emotional, physical, mental, relational, and spiritual—that affect human decision-making. Obviously, a medical condition such as bipolar depression could be one such factor. These factors are called modifiers of responsibility and can include: ignorance, fear, force (violence), passions (e.g. rage, lust), and habit. These modifiers can act as obstacles which impact people’s understanding of and freedoms associated with their human actions which have a moral dimension.
For example, if we get into a fit of rage, or over time get trapped into habitual sin, these factors (among others) might reduce or eliminate our culpability in a sin. Knowing this though, we cannot use these “modifiers of responsibility” as an excuse for sin. For any reader to whom this applies, I strongly encourage you to talk with your parish priest or the priest who regularly hears your confession about this.
All readers, please know too, that the Sacrament of Penance is one of the most incredible healing encounters that we can have with our Lord. There is never any sin too great or too much time that has passed for us in order for us to be forgiven. If you need to, I strongly encourage you to seek out the nearest priest and go to confession.
A good rule of thumb for confession is at least once a month or certainly whenever we need. We should not receive the Eucharist in a state of serious sin. Do not be one of those Catholics who only goes to confession twice a year—Christmas and Easter. We see our doctors and dentists and change the oil in our vehicles more frequently than that. Again, Thanks for the good question.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
