Between flesh and spirit. The soliciting valentian clergy (XVIIIth-XIXth centuries)

Abstract

The Church has defended clerical celibacy as the perfect state for its ministers. It was also a form of control. But this celibate clergy has not been immune to the charms of the flesh represented mainly by women, but also to a lesser extent by men, and succumb to them. To avoid the confession turning into a golden opportunity for these situations, the Pope Clement VIII, put under the jurisdiction of the Holy Office the confessors that took advantage of the penitents. Thanks to this we have a beauti­ful documentation.