The Sin of the Century is the “Loss of the Sense of Sin”

Pope Pious XI saw it back in the early 1900s. And Pope St. John Paul II saw it still in 1985 – the loss of the sense of sin was becoming more and more widespread.

For centuries, most Catholics understood that actions or thoughts contrary to right reason, God’s truth, and right conscience are sins. Such actions or thoughts could imperil one’s soul.

In more recent times, however, many seem to have forgotten what sin is. Or perhaps sin has been so downplayed since Vatican II that sin is not something about which too many are very concerned.

A More Pastoral Church​

Pope St. John XXIII stated in his opening address prior to Vatican II that “In our time . . . the Bride of Christ prefers to use the medicine of mercy rather than severity.

“. . . the Catholic Church, by raising through this Ecumenical Council the torch of religious truth, wants to show herself to be a kind mother of all, benign, patient, full of mercy and kindness for the children separated from her.”

So following Vatican II, God’s love and mercy took center stage. For many bishops and priests, being pastoral – focusing on God’s love and mercy – was ‘in’ and talking about sin was ‘out.’

And, just as an aside, even the “New Mass” became pastoral. It was no longer a bloodless re-enactment of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Instead, it had become a community celebration of Christ’s victory over death. The altar was no longer an altar, it was a banquet table, and all are welcome at the table.

Continued below.