Why Pope Leo IX Declined to Endorse Peter Damien’s Suggestions in Liber Gomorrhianus
Presentation Type
Research Study
Release Option
Metadata Only
Description
This paper examines the reasons that led to Pope Leo IX's overall dismissal of Peter Damien's proposals in "Liber Gomorrhianus," a treatise that condemned the moral corruption within the clergy of the Catholic Church during the High Middle Ages. Though Damien suggested harsh penalties, such as excommunication and penances, Pope Leo IX favored a more lenient approach emphasizing rehabilitation over severe sanctions on clergy members. This paper analyzes the historical context inside and outside of the Catholic Church, including the emergence of a gay subculture in medieval cities and the Catholic Church's complex perspective on homosexuality. Additionally, this paper examines the lives of Peter Damien and Pope Leo IX in the years before Damien had written his treatise. After considering the history of Pope Leo IX and the Catholic Church, his refusal to accept Damien's suggestions can be attributed to two reasons: the Pope wanted to preserve the unity within the Catholic Church and focus on reforming the clergy members.
Faculty Mentor
James Todesca
Department of Primary Presenter's Major
Department of History
Symposium Year
2024
Why Pope Leo IX Declined to Endorse Peter Damien’s Suggestions in Liber Gomorrhianus
