Accidentally or ignorantly committed sins are punishable by a lay court but of course mitigating circumstances are taken into consideration. 

In the world ignorance of the rules of the law , does not exempt one from the judgement. But the worldly courts cannot see into one’s heart , this is why often biased judgments are handed down by these judges./ courts. 

Saint Padre Pio from Pietrelciani puts this into words very nicely : “The evil spirit has only one entry into our hearts : the will,  there are no other hidden ways. There is no such sin that was not willingly committed . If the will does not allow it , then sin would not have been committed , but human weakness , frailty . “ 

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.