venial sins
Forgivable moral lapses
Venial sins are minor moral offenses in Catholic theology—wrongdoings that weaken but don't sever one's relationship with God.
They contrast with mortal sins, which are grave enough to damn the soul.
The distinction matters for confession and penance: venial sins don't require absolution to enter heaven.
Losing your temper is a venial sin; murder is mortal.
- peccadilloesSlight offenses or faults
- white liesMinor benevolent deceptions
- scrupulosityExcessive moral anxiety disorder
- slipsMinor mistakes made
- divine mercyGodly forgiveness toward humanity
human frailty · lapses · vices · contrition · act of contrition · confession booth · purgatory · indiscretions · absolution · missteps · improprieties · spiritual purification · penance · virtue · rationalization · forgiveness · imperfection · concupiscence
venial sinsmortal sins
Gravest religious transgressions
deadly sins · cardinal sins · blasphemy · apostasy · sacrilege
venial sinsvirtues
Positive moral traits
righteousness · holiness · sanctity · moral perfection · cardinal virtues
venial, sin, sins, sinful, sinfully, sinfulness, sinner, sinners, sinning