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Social Science Gay Studies

Book of Gomorrah

An Eleventh-Century Treatise against Clerical Homosexual Practices

by (author) Peter Damian

translated by Pierre J. Payer

Publisher
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Initial publish date
Oct 1982
Category
Gay Studies, Clergy, Love & Marriage
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780889201231
    Publish Date
    Oct 1982
    List Price
    $41.99
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781554586639
    Publish Date
    Oct 2010
    List Price
    $38.95

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Description

Some of the roots of a negative attitude to homosexuality are found in Peter Damian’s appeal to Pope Leo IX. Written 900 years ago by an Italian monk, The Book of Gomorrah asks the Pope to take steps to halt the spread of homosexual practices among the clergy and is relevant to contemporary discussion of homosexuality.
The Book of Gomorrah asks the Pope to take steps to halt the spread of homosexual practices among the clergy. The first part outlines the various forms of homosexual practice, the specific abuses, and the inadequacy of traditional penitential penances, and demands that offenders be removed form their ecclesiastical positions. The second part is an impassioned plea to the offenders to repent of their ways, accept due penance, and cease from homosexual activity.
Payer’s is the first translation of the full tract into any language from the original Latin. In his introduction to the tract Payer places The Book of Gomorrah in its context as the first major systematic treatise in the medieval West against various homosexual acts, provides a critique of Peter Damian’s arguments, and outlines his life. The annotated translation is followed by a translation of the letter of Pope Leo IX in reply to Damian’s Treatise, an extensive bibliography, and indexes.
The book will be of interest to students of medieval history and religion, to ethicists and students of social mores, and to persons generally concerned with the historical roots of present-day attitudes to homosexuality.

About the authors

Saint Peter Damian or Petro Damiani (c. 1007–1072 or 1073) was a monk and cardinal under the reign Pope Leo IX. He was canonized in 1828.

Peter Damian's profile page

PIERRE J. PAYER is Professor of Philosophy at Mount Saint Vincent University. He has published translations of Peter Abelard, A Dialogue of a Philosopher with a Jew, and a Christian (1979), and the eleventh-century Book of Gomorrah by Peter damian (1982).

Pierre J. Payer's profile page