Original Sin

What is the Catholic doctrine of original sin?

In Catholicism, original sin can refer either to the first sin (which is attributed to Adam in the Book of Genesis), or to the consequences of that sin, the most severe of which is the loss of sanctifying grace. The Church teaches that all of Adam's descendants inherit these consequences — that is, they are conceived with original sin.

The Church teaches that a person is freed from original sin through the sacrament of Baptism.