venal vs venial
Definitions
adjective
- capable of being corrupted
Examples
Virtually all of the clergy are portrayed as venal and conspiratorial.
A short autobiography is prefixed to the 1827 edition of Juvenal.
At school, like my peers, I was indoctrinated in the mysteries of original and venal sin, virgin birth, the respective criteria for entry to limbo, purgatory, and heaven.
Definitions
adjective
- warranting only temporal punishment
- easily excused or forgiven
Examples
It is called venial precisely because, considered in its own proper nature, it is pardonable; in itself meriting, not eternal, but temporal punishment.
He had compounded a number of venial failings with the mortal sin of adultery.
Father Gerard explained there were other sins than the venial kind.
