TURPILOQUIO. — It is speech concerning shameful things, which furnish the intellect and the will with material for dishonest thoughts and actions.
Already St. Paul warned Christians against the pagan carrus, who entertained the public with their witticisms and ambiguous jokes (Eph. 4, 29).
The Fathers of the Church (cf. Clemente Al., Pedagogo, lib. 2-3; s. Giovanni Crisostomo: PG 56, 263-70) and popular preachers—such as s. Bernardino and Savonarola—have used very strong words and effective admonitions against t. (cf. R. Mecacci, L'educazione cristiana nelle opere di s. Bernardino, in Bullettino di S. Bernard., 7 [1941], pp. 21-48, 90-121). Nor is the struggle against t. any less opportune in our own day, when suggestiveness and indecent ambiguity abound in comedies, variety shows, etc.
T. is more or less grave according to its content, the persons to whom it is addressed, and the purpose for which it is uttered. If it occurs among persons hardened in vice, it may be only slightly evil, because it does not excite sensuality and does not give scandal; but the same speech may be highly reprehensible and harmful if delivered in the presence of persons who might be disturbed by II. The pagans already observed that « magna debetur puero reverentia », and the Gospel contains a terrible threat against anyone who gives scandal to children (Mt. 18, 7). The scandal of t., moreover, involves the gravest malice when it is intended to corrupt the innocent, depriving them of purity and leading them into corruption and perversion.
Article 726 of the Italian Penal Code establishes: « soggiace alla ammenda fino a L. 500 chi in luogo pubblico, o aperto al pubblico, usa un linguaggio contrario alla pub-
blica decenza ». The article was introduced under the impetus of a great Italian national campaign for the defense of propriety in language, which began in Verona on 16 Apr. 1922 through the initiative of a group of people who created a Central Committee against blasphemy and t. The Committee issued and disseminated throughout every corner of Italy an appeal that received the blessing of Pope Benedict XV, and the support of the Government, all the parties, and all the most important institutions. Every means of propaganda was put into operation: from special visiting cards to posters for markets, sports grounds, and public places. School competitions promoting the campaign were introduced in schools. A great national referendum was also held among the most distinguished persons. Four national congresses discussed and addressed, from every point of view, the struggle against blasphemy and t. The movement, having become national, exerted pressure on the legislative bodies. The law undertook to protect the movement.