THREAD : Hello #CatholicTwitter ! A small experiment in the history of moral theology. Let us take a step back from the discussion of the #deathpenalty, and discuss, well, hmm…, #wifebeating 1/ For the greatest part of the history of the Western Church, at least from the middle ages until the 19th century, theologians and canonists have unanimously acknowledged the ius correctionis of husbands over their wives, including beating (verberatio).