The affect of mental illness on culpability and sin

[Ave Maria]

Hello everyone. I have been looking for answers to this for a long time. Two priests and one lady, my former spiritual director, told me that I either cannot commit a mortal sin or that it would be almost impossible for me to commit a mortal sin. One of the priests told me I cannot commit a mortal sin and another priest told me that it would be almost impossible but remotely possible that I could commit a mortal sin. My spiritual director told me the same thing that the first priest said, that I cannot commit a mortal sin and therefore I do not have to worry about my salvation because I will inevitably die in a state of grace due to my mental illness.

I have two mental illnesses: major depression and borderline personality disorder. I also deal with a lot of anxiety and scrupulosity. From what I understand, the borderline personality disorder prevents me from committing a mortal sin because it causes me to be very impulsive. Hence, I do not really think before I commit a sinful act and therefore do not have full consent of the will or full intent to commit a mortal sin. This is the reason why these people told me that I either cannot commit a mortal sin or that it would be next to impossible for me to commit a mortal sin.

Anyway, I am just wanting to discuss this. I keep thinking to myself: What if they were wrong about this? What if I really can commit a mortal sin just as easily as a person who has no mental illness? What if I do commit a mortal sin and end up going to Hell because of it? So as you can see, this whole subject really bothers me. There are times when I fear that I am going to go to Hell no matter what I do and I despair. There are also times when I am confident that I won't go to Hell no matter what I do. However, I suspect that the reality is somewhere in between those two extremes. Regardless, I do not want to sin anyway simply because I want to please God. I also don't want to risk going to Hell if that possibility does exist for me regardless of the fact that I have a severe mental illness.

So, what input can you all give to me? What advice can you give to me? What do you think about the situation. Thanks for any advice you can provide. Also, if you know of any official Vatican documents or anything concerning mental illness and/or sin, please let me know. I am trying to educate myself as much as possible on this subject. Thanks.

 

[FullyMT]

Hello everyone. I have been looking for answers to this for a long time. Two priests and one lady, my former spiritual director, told me that I either cannot commit a mortal sin or that it would be almost impossible for me to commit a mortal sin. One of the priests told me I cannot commit a mortal sin and another priest told me that it would be almost impossible but remotely possible that I could commit a mortal sin. My spiritual director told me the same thing that the first priest said, that I cannot commit a mortal sin and therefore I do not have to worry about my salvation because I will inevitably die in a state of grace due to my mental illness.

I have two mental illnesses: major depression and borderline personality disorder. I also deal with a lot of anxiety and scrupulosity. From what I understand, the borderline personality disorder prevents me from committing a mortal sin because it causes me to be very impulsive. Hence, I do not really think before I commit a sinful act and therefore do not have full consent of the will or full intent to commit a mortal sin. This is the reason why these people told me that I either cannot commit a mortal sin or that it would be next to impossible for me to commit a mortal sin.

Anyway, I am just wanting to discuss this. I keep thinking to myself: What if they were wrong about this? What if I really can commit a mortal sin just as easily as a person who has no mental illness? What if I do commit a mortal sin and end up going to Hell because of it? So as you can see, this whole subject really bothers me. There are times when I fear that I am going to go to Hell no matter what I do and I despair. There are also times when I am confident that I won't go to Hell no matter what I do. However, I suspect that the reality is somewhere in between those two extremes. Regardless, I do not want to sin anyway simply because I want to please God. I also don't want to risk going to Hell if that possibility does exist for me regardless of the fact that I have a severe mental illness.

So, what input can you all give to me? What advice can you give to me? What do you think about the situation. Thanks for any advice you can provide. Also, if you know of any official Vatican documents or anything concerning mental illness and/or sin, please let me know. I am trying to educate myself as much as possible on this subject. Thanks.

It is safe to say that your spiritual advisors are correct in their assessment at the present moment. The reason the second said "near impossible" is because he was probably worried about playing the role of God or was unsure of a lot of specifics with your situation. It is absolutely true that if you do not think before the act, it is not a mortal sin.
If you are on medications, stay on them and trust in those who God has placed in your life in person and know you and your situation well.
My prayers for you.

 

[Ave Maria]

It is safe to say that your spiritual advisors are correct in their assessment at the present moment. The reason the second said "near impossible" is because he was probably worried about playing the role of God or was unsure of a lot of specifics with your situation. It is absolutely true that if you do not think before the act, it is not a mortal sin.
If you are on medications, stay on them and trust in those who God has placed in your life in person and know you and your situation well.
My prayers for you.

Thank you FullyMT. I know that my disorders will be with me for the rest of my life. Does this mean that I am destined for Heaven?

 

[FullyMT]

Thank you FullyMT. I know that my disorders will be with me for the rest of my life. Does this mean that I am destined for Heaven?

I am no guarantor of that, but I do believe that as long as you try to love others to the best of your ability and you avail yourself to the guidance of Jesus and His Church...Our Lord has a room for you in the Father's house.

I would encourage you to stay away from the internet as much as possible (I doubt that some people's writings throughout the web would help your scrupulosity) and continue to see your spiritual director and/or psych. person.

 

[Fantine]

I hope you have a regular confessor, someone who understands that sometimes you will agonize over imagined sins that aren't your fault and that other times you may brush off things that might, even if not mortally sinful, be of legitimate concern.

Your confessor can help you sort things out, and, if you go frequently, you will know that you are forgiven--whether or not your were responsible.

It is good that you can recognize your problems with such honesty and transparency. Knowing that God forgives you and understands your challenges will encourage you to understand and forgive yourself.

Hugs for you.

 

[MikeK]

There is nothing I could say that FullyMT hasn't already covered. Count this post as repeating everything he said. God Bless.

 

[WarriorAngel]

I will keep you in my prayers - so you arent hard on yourself. But also so you continue to persevere.

I am supposing if you made an effort to sin - that would different. If it was intended and rationally thought out. Only God knows.

But because intent must be involved and you do not intend for it - they know you - [and no one here does]

Have peace and continue - as i said - to consciously follow the Lord and the Church.

 

[Colin]

Hello everyone. I have been looking for answers to this for a long time.

You need to follow the advice of the priests and not your own doubts and worries .

The Father loves you totally and unconditionally . May the Holy Spirit lead you to a full appreciation of this love .

May the Lord deliver you from scruples .

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

What they all said

Praying for Christ's peace

Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am -
I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me.
In Thy Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me.
I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works.
I give Thee my entire self, Lord Jesus, and I accept Thee as my Lord God and Savior.
Heal me, change me, and strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.
Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Thy Precious Blood, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit.
I love Thee Lord Jesus, I praise Thee Lord Jesus, I thank Thee Jesus.
I shall follow Thee every day of my life.
~ Fr Rookey​

​

 

[Ave Maria]

I hope you have a regular confessor, someone who understands that sometimes you will agonize over imagined sins that aren't your fault and that other times you may brush off things that might, even if not mortally sinful, be of legitimate concern.

Your confessor can help you sort things out, and, if you go frequently, you will know that you are forgiven--whether or not your were responsible.

It is good that you can recognize your problems with such honesty and transparency. Knowing that God forgives you and understands your challenges will encourage you to understand and forgive yourself.

Hugs for you.

Thank you Fantine. I go to Confession every week. My spiritual director told me that I can go weekly if I'd like but he recommended that I go twice monthly instead. I choose to go every week so that I know I am in a state of grace before receiving Jesus in the most holy Eucharist. I would not dare receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin.

There is nothing I could say that FullyMT hasn't already covered. Count this post as repeating everything he said. God Bless.

May God bless you as well Mike.

I will keep you in my prayers - so you arent hard on yourself. But also so you continue to persevere.

I am supposing if you made an effort to sin - that would different. If it was intended and rationally thought out. Only God knows.

But because intent must be involved and you do not intend for it - they know you - [and no one here does]

Have peace and continue - as i said - to consciously follow the Lord and the Church.

Thanks WarriorAngel. I never make an effort to sin. I try not to sin because I know that sin displeases God and since I love God, I do not want to displease Him.

You need to follow the advice of the priests and not your own doubts and worries .

The Father loves you totally and unconditionally . May the Holy Spirit lead you to a full appreciation of this love .

May the Lord deliver you from scruples .

Thank you Rawson. I also want to be delivered of the scruples. I hate having scruples because it can be so difficult to deal with. Thankfully I do know that the Lord is loving and merciful and I trust in Him.

What they all said

Praying for Christ's peace

Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am -
I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me.
In Thy Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me.
I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works.
I give Thee my entire self, Lord Jesus, and I accept Thee as my Lord God and Savior.
Heal me, change me, and strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.
Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Thy Precious Blood, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit.
I love Thee Lord Jesus, I praise Thee Lord Jesus, I thank Thee Jesus.
I shall follow Thee every day of my life.
~ Fr Rookey​

​

Thanks Servant of Merciful Love. I really appreciate your post. Indeed, I appreciate everyone's posts.

That said, I am wanting to move to a bigger town so that I can go to Mass every day. As of now, I can't go to Mass every day. I would try and I might be able to do if I quit smoking these cigarettes so that I have more gas money but the problem is, my gas gauge quit working and now I have to estimate as to how much gas I have in my tank. That can be pretty difficult. I try to fill it up every week and then to put some more in again when I think it might be getting low just to be safe but there is still always that chance that I will run out on the road since I don't know how much gas I have at any given time.