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In Catholic Theology, was Mary "Unable" to Sin?

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Jesuit theologian [Fr. Kenneth Baker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Baker_(Jesuit)) states that Mary was not only free from sin but was "unable" to sin: > Two special factors rendered Mary impeccable or unable to sin. The > first was her constant awareness of God, living always in His > presence, and the second was her reception of special and > extraordinary graces. These special graces made it possible for Mary > to maintain a perfect harmony in her mind, will and emotions and to > recognize always what was the right thing to do and then to do it. > (Baker, Kenneth (2016). Fundamentals of Catholicism, Vol. 2. Ignatius > Press. ISBN 978-1-68149-732-7.) The Catholic Encyclopedia on "The Blessed Virgin Mary" seems to confirm this when it says that her sinlessness was due to "divine privilege" and that she never experienced temptation: > Theologians assert that Mary was > impeccable, not by the essential perfection of her nature, but by a > special Divine privilege. Moreover, the Fathers, at least since the > fifth century, almost unanimously maintain that the Blessed Virgin > never experienced the motions of concupiscence. Does the Catholic Church teach simply that Mary did not sin, or that she was unable to sin?
Asked by Dan Fefferman (7370 rep)
Dec 28, 2023, 04:44 PM
Last activity: Dec 29, 2023, 03:19 PM