"Can we get a definition of what "in a state of mortal sin" means? One preferrably from the same Church Fathers?"
I'd appreciate the appropriate cites also, NYer. I am unaware of any Eastern Fathers who used the term, but of course I could be wrong.
Can we get a definition of what "in a state of mortal sin" means? Can we get a definition of what "in a state of mortal sin" means?
Q. What is a mortal sin?
A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a mortal sin as follows:
"Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God's law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him." (C.C.C. # 1855)
"Mortal sin, by attacking the vital principle within us - that is, charity - necessitates a new initiative of God's mercy and a conversion of heart which is normally accomplished within the setting of the Sacrament of Confession." (C.C.C. # 1856)
"Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the private of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance of God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion to make choices for ever, with no turning back. However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God." (C.C.C. # 1861)
"To choose deliberately - that is, both knowing it and willing it - something gravely contrary to the divine law and to the ultimate end of man is to commit a mortal sin. This destroys in us the charity without which eternal beatitude is impossible. Unrepented, it brings eternal death." (C.C.C. # 1874)
As distinguished from ....
Q. What is a venial sin?
A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a venial sin as follows:
"Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it." (To "subsist" means to "exist.") (C.C.C. # 1855)
"Venial sin constitutes a moral disorder that is reparable by charity, which it allows to subsist in us." (C.C.C. # 1875)
"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." (C.C.C. #. 1862)
"Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul's progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. 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.'" (C.C.C. # 1863)
As to quoting the Church Fathers, I don't know that they had yet distinguished between these two forms of sin. Perhaps they did and that you will be able to draw from the above quotations.
From the earliest years of my Catholic school education (pre-VCII), I recall the priest making the same distinction. In order for a sin to be 'mortal', three conditions must be met. The penitent must know that it is a grave sin, agree that it is such and decide to commit it anyway. Obviously, murder and petty theft are distinct in the level of gravity. Murder would be a mortal sin; stealing a candy bar would constitute a venial sin.