He was also professor at the Pontifical Urban University, teaching Law on the Institutes of Consecrated Life, and was a judge at the ecclesiastical tribunal of Lazio.

In a 2008 press conference, Girotti warned drug pushers, the obscenely rich, environmental polluters and "manipulative" genetic scientists that they were in danger of committing mortal sins.

He explained: "You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbour’s wife, but also by ruining the environment, carrying out morally debatable scientific experiments, or allowing genetic manipulations which alter DNA or compromise embryos".

Girotti said that in those cases, if the person cannot separate from the new spouse for various reasons, the confessor could suggest that refraining from sex and transforming the relationship into one of friendship might open the way to the possibility of partaking once again in Holy Communion.

He warned that in the case of repeat offenders, who do not show even a minimal intention to change, absolution must not be granted; but the priest must be very patient, because a conversion is always possible.