The Book of Gomorrah and St. Peter Damian's Struggle Against Ecclesiastical Corruption

Foreword by Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez Acknowledgements Introduction: St. Peter Damian's Crusade against Ecclesiastical Corruption Translator's Preface Letter of endorsement by Pope St. Leo IX I. The beginning of the Book of Gomorrah, by the humble monk, Peter Damian II. On the different types of sodomites III. That excessive mercy leads superiors to not prohibit the fallen from order IV. That those who are habituated to filthy enjoyments should not be promoted to holy orders V. Whether it is legitimate for such people to act as priests if the Church has need of it VI. That those who seek ordination after having been involved in this vice are of a reprobate sense VII. On rectors of the Church who are soiled with their spiritual children VIII. Of those who confess their offenses to those with whom they have fallen IX. Just as is the case with those who violate nuns, a prostitutor of monks must be deposed in accordance with the law X. That he both he who falls with his carnal or spiritual daughter, and he who is soiled with his penitential son, should be accountable for the same offense XI. Regarding apocryphal laws, in which whoever trusts, is altogether deceived XII. The justifiable rejection of the above laws XIII. That such foolishness is rightfully excluded from a number of canons, because their authorship is uncertain XIV. Of those who fornicate irrationally, that is, who mix with animals, or are polluted with males XV. Of those who, either with animals or with males, were once polluted, or who continue to languish in this vice XVI. Of clerics or monks who persecute males XVII. The proper condemnation of sodomitic indecency XVIII. A weeping lamentation over souls surrendered to the dregs of impurity XIX. That therefore the soul should be mourned, because it does not mourn XX. That the service of an unworthy priest is the ruin of the people XXI. That God does not wish to receive sacrifice from the hands of the impure XXII. That no holy offering is received by God if it is stained by the filth of impurity XXIII. That all of the above-named forms constitute sodomy XXIV. An exhortation to the man who has fallen into sin, that he might rise again XXV. That for the taming of sexual desire, it should be sufficient to contemplate the rewards of chastity XXVI. Where the writer defends himself commendably XXVII. Where a statement is addressed to the lord pope Abbreviations Select Bibliography About the Translator