Self-mutilation

[Nathan]

I have a specific question within the topic of self-mutilation and mortal sin.

Let's say an adult has a long-time habit, stemming from childhood, of biting and picking at the cuticles and callous areas of his hands and feet. Sometimes this activity causes minor disfigurement -- it can be noticeable to other people if they looked closely at his fingers. Now, he does not -- that he is aware of -- do this out of any feeling of self-loathing or malicious intent, but merely feels compelled to do it out of habit, nervous or otherwise. He wants to stop, but often finds himself doing it without thinking. Other times he just does it because he feels a strong desire to, feeling that he shouldn't but doing it anyway.

I know that this is disordered and thus sinful behavior, at least venial. But is this self-mulilation, and thus, mortal sin that needs to be confessed before one receives the Eucharist?

Thanks, and God bless you!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Nathan' post='1204146' date='Feb 24 2007, 06:37 PM']I have a specific question within the topic of self-mutilation and mortal sin.

Let's say an adult has a long-time habit, stemming from childhood, of biting and picking at the cuticles and callous areas of his hands and feet. Sometimes this activity causes minor disfigurement -- it can be noticeable to other people if they looked closely at his fingers. Now, he does not -- that he is aware of -- do this out of any feeling of self-loathing or malicious intent, but merely feels compelled to do it out of habit, nervous or otherwise. He wants to stop, but often finds himself doing it without thinking. Other times he just does it because he feels a strong desire to, feeling that he shouldn't but doing it anyway.

I know that this is disordered and thus sinful behavior, at least venial. But is this self-mulilation, and thus, mortal sin that needs to be confessed before one receives the Eucharist?

Thanks, and God bless you![/quote]
The first rule of mortal sins: you can't sin mortally without knowing it.

It sounds to me like a nervous tick and a bad habit. I wouldn't worry about it. Self-mutilation is a bit higher that biting your fingernails or lips, unless you intend to harm yourself or to do something otherwise damaging. I don't even think it qualifies as a venial sin, but I'm very certain, barring specifically malicious intentions, that it does not qualify as a mortal sin.

God bless,

Raphael