Historical research acknowledges only cursorily the Catholic contribution to eugenics. Yet there is a substantial link between Catholic discourses on morality and the emergence of Italian eugenics. In this essay I argue that sexual normalisation was a key source of consensus. Masculine and patriarchal values strengthened the strategic collaboration between Fascist demographic policies, the Italian interpretation of eugenics, and Catholic doctrine. I draw on archival and printed material to show that the control of public morality and the support for reproduction met both Catholic and Fascist interests. In particular, I focus on the alliance between the State and the Catholic Church working against ‘the contraceptive mentality’. Mussolini wanted to stimulate religious sentiment as a basis for the fight against depopulation. The Catholic Church desired a set of laws against immorality, birth control and abortion. In this way, Fascism and the Catholic Church found a solid cultural agreement around restoring traditional mores, patriarchal values, and gender hierarchy.

中文翻译：

---

公共道德与优生学的规范：天主教会与意大利法西斯主义的富有成效的联盟

历史研究只是粗略地承认天主教对优生学的贡献。然而，天主教关于道德的话语与意大利优生学的出现之间存在着实质性的联系。在这篇文章中，我认为性正常化是共识的关键来源。男性和父权价值观加强了法西斯人口政策、意大利对优生学的解释和天主教教义之间的战略合作。我利用档案和印刷材料来表明，对公共道德的控制和对复制的支持符合天主教和法西斯的利益。特别是，我关注国家与天主教会之间的联盟，反对“避孕心态”。墨索里尼希望激发宗教情绪，以此作为反对人口减少的基础。天主教会希望制定一套反对不道德、节育和堕胎的法律。通过这种方式，法西斯主义和天主教会在恢复传统习俗、父权价值观和性别等级制度方面找到了稳固的文化协议。