Science, Sin, and Sexuality in Roman-Catholic Discourses in the German-Speaking Area, 1870s to 1930s

Abstract

Even though there is a substantive body of research on the emergence of sexual science and the overall scientification of sexuality that in Europe took place around 1900, we lack studies that focus on Roman-Catholic responses. This article addresses this gap by analyzing the Roman-Catholic discourse on sexuality between the 1870s and 1930s in the German-speaking area. Investigating papal encyclicals, pastoral letters, prayer, devotion, and instruction booklets, this paper argues that Roman-Catholic authors adopted scientific rhetoric and argumentation patterns in order to justify the Catholic sexual morality anew under the conditions of a society that became increasingly secularized. This adoption changed the Catholic evaluation of sexuality itself as well: Originally seen as a phenomenon of personal moral conduct, sexuality’s societal and political importance in terms of a nation’s health was increasingly acknowledged since the outbreak of World War I. Scientific concepts of health and disease increasingly replaced the formerly all-pervading theological notion of sinfulness. Furthermore, the Catholic sexual discourse was markedly gendered. By primarily discussing female sexuality, Catholic authors hoped to support the traditional Catholic family ideal that had come under pressure due to the increased secularization of society.