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Clearly, the Augustinian concept of "guilt" expressed in the "original sin" as understood by the West, is the very foundation of the dogma of Immaculate Conception. The Catholic Church, therefore, must make up its mind what the "original sin" entails: it is actual guilt, spot, macula, that is removed by Baptism, or is it a consequence of the original sin of our ancestral parents, expressed as corruptible human nature, prone to and attracted by sin, which, like a disease left unattended, will kill us. I am afraid that bridging this gap is next to impossible, for it would require the West either to change its entire mindset drowned in Augustinian senseless error of "guilt" by birth.

Great points. The Fall of Adam and Eve did something to mankind. Of that both East and West agree. It has always been interesting to me how the Eastern Churches handled it compared to the Western ones. A lot of the resultant differences between Catholics, Orthodox, and many Protestants came from St. Augustine. Which is sad, in that his views changed throughout his life and in many ways he's beliefs are not quite what any side makes him out to be.

The Fall of Adam and Eve did something to mankind.

No doubt. But when one gets sick, does that mean how we define "man" changes? Does that mean that we are to define "man" as a rational being with a heart ailment? Metaphysically, man was created in the image of God. The disease that we call sin does not mean we are no longer made in the image of God. It means that something, the sickness, is preventing us from realizing our fulfillment.

Regards

The Fall of Adam and Eve did something to mankind

Absolutely. We are not the humans God created. In fact, it is irreversible. Yet, God in his love, made it possible for us to have a second chance, which he did not extend to satan and his angles for whom there is no redemption.

This reminds us that the nature of their fall is viewed differently then ours: it is absolute. Ours isn't.

In fact, God created hell only for satan and his angels. That so many men will end up there is not God's doing, but ours.

[St. Augustine's] views changed throughout his life and in many ways he's beliefs are not quite what any side makes him out to be

The problem with St. Augustine are not his confessions but his Retractions. Not only are most people not familiar with them; they are almost impossible to find! Before he passed away, he actually recanted on a number of his hypotheses, enough to write a book with them.