The Issue of Homosexuality in the Church and Peter Damian’s Criticism

The issue of homosexuality, which has become increasingly visible and discussed around the world in recent years, has been recognised by societies for thousands of years. Reactions to this issue have varied from society to society. It is possible to say that the most powerful factor in the emergence of different reactions is religion. Religious perceptions, which are influential in many other aspects of life, have also been influential in human relationships. The Semitic-based religions that have largely shaped the world we live in have a generally negative attitude towards homosexuality. In fact, there are many narratives in sacred texts that this act is cursed and punished in various ways. The same perspective applies to Christianity in general and the Catholic Church in particular. However, it is evident that the transformations occurring in the world in recent years have affected the Church. Pope Francis’ (d. 2025) statements on this issue have been met with astonishment around the world. This is because he is thought to have adopted a stance contrary to the Church tradition. In this context, this study will focus on the Catholic Church’s approach to homosexuality and the statements of Peter Damian (d. 1072) on the subject, which shaped this tradition throughout the Middle Ages. Damianus, who wrote an independent work titled Liber Gomorrhianus on homosexual behaviour, had a very interesting approach to the issue and made some noteworthy comments. However, due to his position within the Papacy, he was forced to take action against the pope of the time, and the response he received from the pope is also extremely interesting. The fact that Damianus was the first to conceptualise homosexuality as a sin through the term “sodomy” makes examining his views on this subject particularly important. This study, which aims to reveal the Catholic Church’s approach to homosexuality and Damianus’ views on this subject and his criticisms of the Church, will adopt the text analysis method.contribute to the existing literature and suggest new areas of intervention to strengthen mental health.