Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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SINLESSNESS

Freedom from moral offenses against God. Absolute sinlessness, including impeccability or the inability to sin, was possessed only by Christ because as a divine person he could not contradict his own divine nature. Mary was also sinless, and could not sin, but only as a unique grace because she was the Mother of God. The rest of humanity is subject to the common weakness of fallen human nature. Except for an extraordinary priviliege, accorded to few sainst, no one is able to avoid for his whole life at least semideliberate venial sins.