What came to mind when reading Apologist Dave Armstrong's answer, was that the same is true when it comes to taxes. Back in the day, I worked in the tax office, (Yes I know Jesus put tax collectors and prostitutes in the same category.😁) . When people would say they didn't know they owed a tax, we responded that ignorance of the law was not an acceptable excuse. Sometimes, it was heartbreaking and sometimes the law would exemplify stupidity, but it wasn't my job to think or judge; it was to collect money. I'd usually advise people to appeal to my superior. Dave Armstrong's response amounts to the same principle.
Thank God, we have a God that is all merciful and not a tax collector.
Question on Whether Ignorance of Mortal Sin is a Good Thing
[A person inquiring about the Catholic faith asked me this question]
Q: If you have to know that a sin is “grave” in order for it to be mortal (full knowledge and consent) then why would you want to tell someone that something is grave matter? Wouldn’t their ignorance of grave matter keep them from committing mortal sin and thus not endanger their salvation?
A: It's important that people are aware of what is a grave sin. Even if not knowing that sin x which has been committed is a grave matter and objectively a mortal sin (but not subjectively due to ignorance), a person is still harmed, as sin does no one any good and ultimately leads to spiritual death (Rom 6:16, 23; 7:11; 8:2; Jas 1:15; 5:20). Therefore, people ought to know what is considered serious sin, because habitual committing of such sins will eventually exclude one from heaven (see, e.g., Rev 21:8: "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death" [RSV] ).
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