Venere ed Imene al tribunale della penitenza: manuale dei confessori

This compact handbook was written for priests and deacons tasked with hearing confessions. It focuses on the sixth commandment, defining lust in its many forms—from simple fornication and concubinage to prostitution, rape, and even nocturnal emissions and bestiality. The authors also address marital obligations, discussing issues such as marital duty, impotence, and the controversial “Onan” question.

Organized into two parts, the first dissects categories of sexual transgression while the second offers practical guidance on marriage and conjugal rights. Each chapter presents concise canons for confessors, balancing firm moral stance with pastoral compassion. Drawing on leading theological authorities, the text seeks a middle path between excessive rigor and undue laxity.

Written in the late nineteenth century, the manual reflects its era’s language and concerns while still serving as a useful reference on the history of Catholic moral teaching. Its careful reasoning and call for prudent judgment offer a valuable glimpse into the pastoral challenges faced by clergy of the past.