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{
Is masturbation a very bad sin and can it be considered a mortal sin? }
Eric replied:
Allen,
The authoritative Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
Offenses against chastity.
.
.
2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure.
"Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Persona humana 9)
"The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Persona humana 9)
To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.
Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed. (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997), pp. 564–65
So to answer your question, yes, it is a sin, and it is grave matter.
Mortal sin, subjectively speaking, always requires three components, again quoting the Catechism:
So if until now you've been engaging in it but haven't known that it's a grave sin, you haven't committed a mortal sin. But now that you know that it is a grave sin, it is incumbent upon you to renounce it and turn your back on it. Escaping its grip may be a different matter; generally when masturbation becomes a habit, it is very difficult to break, which is why the Catechism says that force of acquired habit can lessen moral culpability (make it venial, for example, subjectively speaking).
For anyone struggling with this sin, regular sacramental Confession (as difficult and as embarrassing as it may feel) is of great help and supplies great grace. The priest can also provide helpful counsel and guidance. Remember the priest deals with such confessions all the time and will not be shocked or surprised or think less of the penitent.
It takes courage even to take this step and is quite praiseworthy.
It's helpful to remember that (subjectively speaking) a sin of grave matter only rises to the level of mortal sin when you know it is a grave sin and say, with full freedom and premeditation, I don't care, I'm going to do it anyway.
Eric
Bob replied:
Dear friend,
Thanks for the question.
Yes, it is a serious sin and can even be a mortal sin, if full knowledge and consent are given.
For many, it is a problem like an addiction, especially with respect to porn, and the way out is long and difficult. That being said, God is merciful and will certainly help anyone who is stuck with this habit to become free. The path to freedom is prayer and penance.
The Rosary is a serious weapon you should use to break the chains of any addiction; fasting helps too. There are definitely other helps in our database if you are looking for more ideas on overcoming this evil trap.
