(2) Actual sin is sub-divided into greater sins, called mortal, and lesser sins, called venial. Q. 275. In how many ways may actual sin be committed? A. Actual sin may be committed in two ways ...

The church fathers were very keen on distinguishing varieties of sin. Their basic distinction, still followed by most Chiristian moralists, is between mortal and venial. A mortal sin is a freely ...

250 A.D. "The clergyman who is deposed for mortal sin, shall not be excommunicated." St. Basil the Great, "Canonical Letter" c. 374 A.D. "There are venial sins and there are mortal sins.