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Dear catholic.com visitors: This Catholic Answers website, with all its free resources, is the world’s largest source of explanations for Catholic beliefs and practices. We receive no funding from the institutional Church and rely entirely on your generosity to sustain this website with trustworthy, accessible content. If every visitor this month donated $1, catholic.com would be fully funded for an entire year. If you’ve never made a gift, now is the time. Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar this week only. Thanks and God bless.
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Q&A

Is masturbation a grave sin?

Fr. Vincent Serpa O.P.

Question:

I’m 15 years old. I recently confessed sins of masturbation and perverted thoughts. I have spoken to two priests from different parishes, and they gave me this answer: that because of my age, and because of "raging hormones," I should not worry about it. The Catechism says otherwise. Is masturbation truly a grave sin if you’re 15 years old?

Answer:

Go with the Catechism. It represents what the Church actually teaches. Many teenagers with raging hormones remain chaste. It is quite possible. I suggest that you check out the Pure Love Web site: www.pureloveclub.com

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