In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy ( French: Sodoma: Enquête au cœur du Vatican) is a book by Frédéric Martel, [1] which was published in French by Éditions Robert Laffont in February 2019 [2] as well as being simultaneously released in eight languages. The book is based upon the concordant testimonies from 41 cardinals, 52 bishops and 45 apostolic nuncios. [3] The author argues that an overwhelming majority of priests and bishops serving in the Vatican—including several prelates who have given anti-gay sex speeches—are gay, and either secretly have sex with men or repress their desires. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
The book is not primarily about child sexual abuse by priests but instead investigates the everyday dishonesty of Catholic priests who lie about their sexual orientation. [9]
In a long piece for New York, Andrew Sullivan wrote that "The Corruption of the Vatican's Gay Elite Has Been Exposed". [3] The book was praised by Irish writer Colm Tóibín in the London Review of Books, [10] the British historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch on The Times [11] and dozens of scholars and specialists. The book has been translated into more than twenty languages; it was a bestseller in a dozen countries and a New York Times bestseller. [12]
In 2019, Steve Bannon announced his intention of producing a movie based upon the book. This caused the resignation of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke from the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, which is led by Bannon. [13]
In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy ( French: Sodoma: Enquête au cœur du Vatican) is a book by Frédéric Martel, [1] which was published in French by Éditions Robert Laffont in February 2019 [2] as well as being simultaneously released in eight languages. The book is based upon the concordant testimonies from 41 cardinals, 52 bishops and 45 apostolic nuncios. [3] The author argues that an overwhelming majority of priests and bishops serving in the Vatican—including several prelates who have given anti-gay sex speeches—are gay, and either secretly have sex with men or repress their desires. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
The book is not primarily about child sexual abuse by priests but instead investigates the everyday dishonesty of Catholic priests who lie about their sexual orientation. [9]
In a long piece for New York, Andrew Sullivan wrote that "The Corruption of the Vatican's Gay Elite Has Been Exposed". [3] The book was praised by Irish writer Colm Tóibín in the London Review of Books, [10] the British historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch on The Times [11] and dozens of scholars and specialists. The book has been translated into more than twenty languages; it was a bestseller in a dozen countries and a New York Times bestseller. [12]
In 2019, Steve Bannon announced his intention of producing a movie based upon the book. This caused the resignation of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke from the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, which is led by Bannon. [13]