Is material heresy a mortal sin?

[Norbert]

And if so, what constitutes mortally sinful material heresy?

I will give three examples.

1) denial that the Bible is infallible

2) denial that, say, buddhists who die in their buddhism go to hell.

3) denial of the Trinity, eg, advancement of unity doctrine or seperation of the godhead.

Are all these examples equal in severity, do they all meet the same definition as heresy or sin, and what is that definition?

[Mithrandylan]

To be materially heretical pertaining any of these things would be predicated on someone having little to no catechesis.  I'm pretty sure material heresy is basically denying something out of ignorance, it is not malicious.  So in that respect I don't think material heresy can be mortally sinful, but I don't get a very good feeling about any Catholic that is ignorant to the instances you gave.

Somebody else can give a better reply than this, though.

[Norbert]

To be materially heretical pertaining any of these things would be predicated on someone having little to no catechesis.  I'm pretty sure material heresy is basically denying something out of ignorance, it is not malicious.  So in that respect I don't think material heresy can be mortally sinful, but I don't get a very good feeling about any Catholic that is ignorant to the instances you gave.

Somebody else can give a better reply than this, though.

These are all real twenty something cradle catholic NOers that I know.  And "poor catechesis" doesn't begin to describe it.

[Mithrandylan]

To be materially heretical pertaining any of these things would be predicated on someone having little to no catechesis.  I'm pretty sure material heresy is basically denying something out of ignorance, it is not malicious.  So in that respect I don't think material heresy can be mortally sinful, but I don't get a very good feeling about any Catholic that is ignorant to the instances you gave.

Somebody else can give a better reply than this, though.

These are all real twenty something cradle catholic NOers that I know.  And "poor catechesis" doesn't begin to describe it.

Like I said, I don't see how material heresy can be a mortal sin.  However, obstinate ignorance of the faith one is supposedly a part of can be, and so are a lot of other things that would seem just logical for them to do if their understanding of the faith is such.

[Doce Me]

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

In every age the Church has drawn a fundamental distinction (which, on account of its importance, should never be overlooked) between formal and merely material heretics, and her penal legislation was directed solely against the former category. As the open and obstinate rebellion of a Catholic against the Divinely instituted teaching authority of the Church, formal heresy still remains one of the most grievous sins. Material heresy on the other hand, i.e. an error in faith entertained undesignedly and unconsciously, is in itself neither sinful nor punishable, except where the error is itself inexcusable. In excusable error are all who possess subjectively the firm and honest conviction that they have the true faith of Christ, thus including the vast majority of non-Catholics, who were born and educated in their particular form of belief

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14763a.htm

We can't say if  the vast majority of non-Catholics are guilty of only material heresy, but we have to have charity. The greatest charity is to teach them the truth.  Things have certainly changed for the worse in Catholic teaching since this encyclopedia was written.  Some people have more excuse, but many others also have greater sin.

[Vetus Ordo]

Material heresy necessarily belies ignorance of the truths of the faith on the part of the believer. Basically, it means that you ignorantly (and thus inculpably) hold heretical beliefs. Thus, you're not really a heretic because there's no such thing as a material heretic, only material heresy.

Formal heresy, on the other hand, is the delict itself. When you are confronted with the dogmatic teaching of the Church and refuse to submit to it, you fall into heresy. That obstinacy before the gospel truth is what constitutes the sin of heresy, a sin against faith, and makes you a real heretic.

Read this article for further insight: Pertinacy: Material and Formal Heresy.

Suffice it to say that no cleric can claim ignorance in cases of heresy.

[Doce Me]

Suffice it to say that no cleric can claim ignorance in cases of heresy.

Not even today, when even clerics are not taught the true Catholic faith?  Granted, they may learn the central truths, but also be
subject to the twisted teaching of the day.

[Vetus Ordo]

Suffice it to say that no cleric can claim ignorance in cases of heresy.

Not even today, when even clerics are not taught the true Catholic faith?  Granted, they may learn the central truths, but also be
subject to the twisted teaching of the day.

No-one can seriously think that a cleric, no matter how bad his seminary years were, can claim ignorance when it comes to the dogmatic teachings of the Church. That simply cannot be. It's not real.

A peasant? Okay. A man who left the church as a child? Sure. A man whose life is to preach the gospel and confect the sacraments? No.

[Norbert]

Suffice it to say that no cleric can claim ignorance in cases of heresy.

Not even today, when even clerics are not taught the true Catholic faith?  Granted, they may learn the central truths, but also be
subject to the twisted teaching of the day.

No-one can seriously think that a cleric, no matter how bad his seminary years were, can claim ignorance when it comes to the dogmatic teachings of the Church. That simply cannot be. It's not real.

A peasant? Okay. A man who left the church as a child? Sure. A man whose life is to preach the gospel and confect the sacraments? No.

Seminaries don't always actually teach the dogmas of the church, Vetus...I knew a "priest" who didn't know there was an Eastern rite.

[Vetus Ordo]

Priests don't stop their formation after taking Holy Orders.

There's absolutely no excuse when it comes to clerics.