While a March statement from the Vatican declaring seven new mortal sins received national attention from the news media, the declaration had little effect on local churches.
Media coverage of the sins, which address issues such as wealth, globalization and conservation, can be misleading, said the Rev. Marty Holler, a Catholic priest at Christ the King Church, 75 Stewart St.
The headline usually reads 'Pope declares new mortal sins
' but that isn't accurate Holler said. What he is doing is reminding people that these things are wrong but it doesn't mean that they weren't wrong before.
For a sin to be considered mortal by the church, it must be considered serious and the person must know that what they are doing is wrong, Holler said.
Because Holler has always taught his congregation values such as conserving the environment and avoiding drugs, the mortal sins did not have an effect on the subjects of sermons at Christ the King, he said. More than 100 students attend mass weekly.
While they may not be revolutionary, the new mortal sins are significant because they express sin as a societal as well as an individual problem, said George Weckman, a professor of Classics and World Religion at Ohio University.
If people want to avoid responsibility then they tend to focus on their individual decisions
but [the sins] focus more on society
Weckman said. These aren't commandments
but guidelines: they certainly will be influential
but that doesn't mean it will be followed to the letter.
Religious leaders across denominations are constantly trying to find a balance between modern values and moral responsibility, Weckman said.
The pope documented these sins in part because of modern realities, Holler said.
With increased globalization
for instance
you could be buying a shirt that was made by an underpaid worker in a foreign factory
Holler said. The right thing to do would be to look beyond whatever deal and buy products made under ethical conditions.
The pope was clarifying, rather than creating sins, said Brian Gallagher, a Catholic and senior at OU.
Despite misconceptions that paint Catholicism in a negative light, the faith is actually progressive in comparison with other Christian sects, Gallagher said.
The mortal sin addressing the environment is particularly relevant, Holler said.
Humans are using the earth selfishly ' it's like someone coming into the house and saying 'We're going to party until midnight
and we don't care what happens after that
