The Unforgivable Sin

During the 2008 primary election cycle, an employee of one of the Democrat presidential candidates wrote something horribly offensive about the Holy Spirit on her blog. (Adding insult to injury she also insulted Our Lady) There was much discussion among political pundits as to whether or not this woman had committed the 'Unforgivable Sin'.

As I recall, the woman soon resigned or was terminated and commentators were still going round and round as to whether or not her soul was in peril.

A simple consultation with this handy page from the Diocese of Lincoln would have reassured those concerned that our good, loving and infinitely merciful God would likely open his arms wide if she approached Him with sincere contrition.

What is the sin against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29) which can never be forgiven, but is an eternal sin?

No sin is unpardonable, speaking objectively, since God wills all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). However, God cannot and will not pardon anyone unless there is repentance and an acceptance of His mercy. It is precisely the lack of repentance and the refusal of God's mercy which cannot ever be forgiven. Usually the "sins of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" are listed as six in number:

1. Presumption of saving oneself without Christ or His Church or else without personal effort and cooperation with grace

2. despair of God's mercy

3. deliberately resisting the truths of the Catholic Faith

4. envy of another's spiritual good

5. final impenitence.