A friend recently asked me about the 'sin of despair'. Is despair actually a sin? If so, is it venial or mortal? Is this the sin against the Holy Spirit that's unforgivable? I think it means not believing in God's mercy, she thought it meant being in despair about a personal crisis. I would appreciate some input here.

God bless

p.s. does anyone know if there's a way of finding out if someone has received an e-mail that you've sent? I recently sent one to a friend but I'm not sure if he's away or just hasn't checked his e-mail! Thanks

-- Sara (sara_catholic_forum@yahoo.co.uk), May 13, 2003

Answers

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-- Sara (sara_catholic_forum@yahoo.co.uk), May 13, 2003.

Sara,

I think despair could be sinful. If it's a sign of a lack of trust in God's divine plan for each of us or a lack of trust in God's mercy.

I said purposefully "could" because it would also depend on the person's mental state. We don't judge someone guilty of something if they acted under duress or some sort of mental state. It's also how we look at suicide now. We don't condemn anyone of a sin if there's a chance that the suicide was influenced by mental illness.

Hope that's helpful.

-- Fr. Michael Skrocki, JCL (abounamike@aol.com), May 13, 2003.

Sara,

As you suggested, there is more than one form of despair. To surrender to the feeling that a given situation in one's life cannot possibly work out for the good is one form of despair. This represents a lack of the virtue of hope, which means trusting in God to provide for our every need. The Bible tells us that for those who love God, all things work for the good (Rom 8:28). So, despair over a difficult situation is equivalent to doubting God's promise to care for us, at least in a given situation.

However, when "the sin of despair" is spoken of, it is not usually such "situational despair" that is meant. "The sin of despair" usually refers to the firm conviction that my personal salvation is impossible, either because I am so weak or so unworthy, or because I sin so often. Again, this is essentially a lack of trust in God's ability or willingness to save us; but this kind of despair is far more damaging than despair over a particular life situation, because it actually makes our whole life meaningless. Why bother doing anything at all, if there is absolutely no hope of eternal life?

The opposite of the sin of despair is the sin of presumption - the belief that God will save me regardless of what I do, simply because He is all loving and all powerful, and therefore cannot allow me to be lost. Again, this sin makes one's life meaningless, since such a person believes that his salvation is already assured, and he no longer has to think or worry about it; therefore earthly life is a sham, without any real meaning.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 13, 2003.

funny, Paul,

that sin of presumption thing sounds ALOT like several protestant churches i used to visit from time to time with my friends...

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), May 13, 2003.

Thanks for your responses Fr Michael and Paul.

God bless

-- Sara (sara_catholic_forum@yahoo.co.uk), May 14, 2003.

Dear Sara, Despair is the greatest mortal sin. Despair was the only sin Judas commited and which led him to commit suicide and lose his soul. Judas commmited a grave sin when he betrayed Christ but he truly repented and returned the 30 pieces of silver and felt truly sorry for his sin of betraying Jesus. But the sin of despair i.e thinking that there is nothing i can do for my past sins and my present situation made him to despair and commit a still greater sin of suicide. The sin of despair made him not to turn to Jesus. If he had not despaired he too would have been saved as there is nothing that Jesus does not forgive for on the cross he prayed Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Jesus forgave Peter who denied him 3 times inspite of claiming before that whatever happens he would never leave Jesus. So,the bottom line is whatever is your situation in life or sins in life do not despair which is the greatest sin but come to Jesus who said Come to me all who are heavy laden & I will give you rest. I will pray that you do not commit the greatest sin of Despair.

-- Devaraj Joseph Jagenderaraj (djjagen@yahoo.com), June 11, 2003.