A mortal sin “is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent” (Catechism, #1857, © 1994). In other words, the gravity of the sin rests on its violation of the ten commandments and takes into consideration who is wronged. It also assumes the person sinning is fully aware, consensual, and informed. “Inflicting poverty” is not done by one person, but global capitalism in which we all participate. “Environmental pollution” is the result of individual choices, but also fixed social systems of waste disposal, water treatment, and energy distribution. The confession booth is either going to be overflowing . . . or people will soon exempt themselves from these sins because we can’t seem to “see” who they have wronged . . . and who can claim full knowledge and consent for global markets? I’m feeling sloth creeping into our psyche.

The traditional seven deadly (or mortal) sins – pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth – already seem to cover the modern evils. Isn’t gluttony, greed, maybe even pride and envy at the foundation of “accumulating excessive wealth.” Greed, envy, lust, and gluttony are often the roots of “drug trafficking and consumption.” When “morally debatable experiments” or “genetic manipulation” are done out of pride, greed, or envy, the research seems to have less than noble intentions. I want to place my vote for keeping the age old sins. In fact, they have served us well since the 6th century.

So why create this new list if the old one covers it? Perhaps our moral imagination can’t see how greed, envy, pride, gluttony, and so on function on a systemic level. Of course, there is one more sin, “violation of fundamental rights of human nature.” Here is where Girotti places abortion and pedophilia, which he considers two of the greatest sins of our time. Somehow, the social nature of sin is lost on these remarks. Why not note patriarchy and devaluing of women’s reproductive rights, instead of abortion? And why not own up to the gravity of pedophilia as a sin of power and pride motivating years of shuffling priests instead of holding them accountable?

Here in lies the difference! A sins gravity is judged by the sin AND the intent. Shaming folks into confession because they drive their cars too much, won’t result in a reversal of global warming. But people understanding how greed affects their daily choices could result in real charity of heart. Penance is intended to bring about a conversion of heart through God’s grace . . . Recognizing the fundamental rights of every human being, especially the 12-16 year old young women around the world, means we take environmental, racial, economic, sexual, and reproductive justice seriously – in their systemic entirety. I think eradicating the original seven mortal sins on a personal and systemic level should pretty much do the job!