Intention

Conscious or willful purpose to do something. One's intention is freely chosen and not forced. In terms of moral theology, intention is associated with moral responsibility for an action. For example, a person who intentionally destroys a vase by knocking it off a table is responsible for the damage. But a person suffering from an unexpected seizure is not responsible for the damage if an involuntary movement knocks the vase off the table and breaks it. The outward actions and results may be much the same, but the difference of intent distinguishes these two cases. However, a degree of intent may be found in actions involving negligence or recklessness. For example, a driver who intentionally exceeds the speed limit may not intend to hurt anyone. But the driver has a degree of moral responsibility if others are hurt in an accident caused by the driver's excessive speed. Of course, that driver's responsibility is not the same as one who intended to hurt others by causing an accident.

In terms of sacramental theology, proper intention is required on the part of the minister of the sacrament or sacramental rite. If the proper intention is lacking, the sacrament or sacramental rite is not understood to be valid. For the minister of the sacrament, the minimal intent is "to do what the Church does" in terms of the particular rite. For example, a priest might go through the motions of a baptism for a dramatic production or demonstration but lack the intention to baptize anyone. Such a dramatic portrayal of a baptism without the intent to baptize would not be a valid sacrament. Similarly, a couple who exchange marriage vows at a wedding rehearsal are not understood to be married. At that moment their intent is to rehearse a ceremony that will happen in the future, not to make the vows of marriage. Proper intent might also be lacking at a marriage due to insanity, intoxication, mistake, or force. Lack of proper intent on the part of one or both of the couple in the wedding would be grounds for annulment of the marriage. A sacrament or sacramental rite would not be valid if the recipient had reached the age of reason and intended not to receive it. A valid sacrament or sacramental rite is not received against one's will. Proper intention is essential for sacramental validity. See Sacramental Rites; see Sacraments; see Validity (Sacramental).