Venial Sin

Venial Sin is a sin which, according to the theology invented by the schoolmen and adopted by the Church of Rome, does not bring spiritual death, or does not turn it away from its ultimate end. As a violation of the law of God, such a sin is somewhat subversive of its true end; nevertheless, it is too small and insignificant to wholly subvert it, and therefore pardonable. These sins are divided into objective venial sins, where the matter of the sin is very small, and subjective venial sins, where the sinner commits the transgression without full advertence or consent. It is certain that, as the smallest sins contain in them rebellion against the supreme authority of God, they must be in their own nature mortal, or deserving of death; and, on the other hand, there is no sin so great that it will not be forgiven on repentance and faith in the atonement. Hence the distinction between venial sins and mortal sins will not hold. SEE MORTAL SIN.