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This essay explores the clash of liberal and conservative sexual policies and practices in Italy.In a country where Catholicism presides, why is there this incredible discrepancy between pious and secular, conservative and liberal, sexual practices and policies? In a country where sex education had been banned from schools until 1999 and contraception is condemned, why is first trimester abortion completely legal and free of charge? How much does the Catholic Church really affect state policies and to what extent can the Church govern over the public and private spheres of Italian society? The question of sexuality and sexual practices and policies in Italy begins with the fundamental discussion of the traditional morals and values at the root of Italian society. When looking into the laws and regulations regarding sexuality in Italy, it seems as though the Catholic Church has made a huge impact. For example, in 1965 the Constitutional Court had declared that detailed information about contraceptives was illegal because it "offended public morality," as the Catholic Church deemed the use of birth control immoral (Wanrooji). As the Catholic Church continues its strong stance against contraception and abortion, why did the Italian government choose to further separate itself from the morality of the Church and legalize not only contraception, but free abortions as well? ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]