Question About Anger

[TradCathYouth]

One simple question:

 

How much anger does it take for it to be considered mortal sin?

[creimann]

Anger needs to be a thirst for justice and charity, and not a question of revenge or harm.

[gladius_veritatis]

From Prummer's Handbook of Moral Theology:

 

Anger is the inordinate desire for revenge.

Anger considered in itself as a disorderly passion is a venial sin, since it involves only a slight disorder, but in so far as it is an inordinate desire for revenge it is a mortal sin which allows of parvity of matter, since such a desire offends against charity and sometimes against justice.  Anger considered in its effects is a grave or venial sin depending on whether those effects ought to have been foreseen and whether they are contrary to right reason in a serious or slight manner.

[Kephapaulos]

Did not our Lord get angry with the moneychangers in the Temple? :D

[creimann]

Right, KP.: the word 'anger' can also refer to a thirst for justice in charity.

[TradCathYouth]

When you mean inordinate desire for revenge....does this constitute in wishing bodily harm or simply wanting to scourge (maybe not literally) everything in your path?

[gladius_veritatis]

I believe such a holy response is called righteous anger, KP, like that of Moses when he descended from Mt. Sinai to find the people worshiping the golden calf.  It flows from a zeal for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

[gladius_veritatis]

When you mean inordinate desire for revenge....does this constitute in wishing bodily harm or simply wanting to scourge (maybe not literally) everything in your path?

FYI, parvity of matter means "smallness" of matter; i.e., things not so serious.   If I am ticked with a man, and want to beat him up and down, or even kill him, then I have likely crossed over into the serious end of the spectrum.   However, it also depends on what he did to elicit such a reaction - some actions naturally elicit a stronger response, and should (see the Temple and golden calf bit above).

 

If I am just generally ticked, for a lesser reason, but wish no one actual harm, it is likely venial (even if I have a hard time shaking it over minutes or hours).   It is best, I find, to ask the priest about it when you confess it.  Tell him about your sin of anger, and your specific desires.  This will help him to know how best to counsel you.  If it was mortal, you have to confess it; if it was venial, confessing it is good for you, too.  You cannot lose either way.

[CatholicLady]

From Prummer's Handbook of Moral Theology:

Anger is the inordinate desire for revenge.

Anger  considered in itself as a disorderly passion is a venial sin, since it  involves only a slight disorder, but in so far as it is an inordinate  desire for revenge it is a mortal sin which allows of parvity of  matter, since such a desire offends against charity and sometimes  against justice. Anger considered in its effects is a grave or venial  sin depending on whether those effects ought to have been foreseen and  whether they are contrary to right reason in a serious or slight manner.

 
  However...There is such a thing as righteous anger.....The same anger  Jesus expressed when clearing the Temple of the moneychangers.....Anger  is sinful when it  is an expression of a thirst for revenge....or  causes one to act unjustly or uncharitably. 
 
  Anger can be used as a catalyst to initiate reform, right a wrong,  etc....and it can be used for destructive purposes....It is our  choice.....