Church State Relations-Italy Flashcards
What was Mussolini’s attitude towards the Catholic Church?
He saw the relationship between the church/state as an important role
Why did Mussolini see the relationship between the church and state as important?
Every single person born in Italy was Catholic
What was Mussolini’s beliefs?
He did not believe in God and strongly opposed the Church
What did Mussolini understand about the church?
He understood the influence the Church had over Italian society
How did Mussolini illustrate his understanding of the power held by the Church? (2 details)
-he baptised his children
-held a religious ceremony with his wife who he was already married to for over 10 years
What did Mussolini seek to create?
He wanted to create a unified Italy
What did he identify as an integral part of his policies to create a unified Italy?
Reconciliation with the Church
How did the Catholic Church view Mussolini?
He was viewed as a ‘safeguard’ against communism
How did Mussolini develop relations with the Church? (5 details)
-allowed religion instruction in schools
-government bailed out the Catholic Bank of Roma from financial difficulties
-baptised his children + ceremony with his wife
-banned several publications + swearing in public
-banned abortion and contraception
What was The Lateran Pact?
An agreement between the Church and Mussolini’s government
What did the Lateran Pact look to restore?
The pope’s control over the Vatican
What did the Lateran Pact settle?
The Roman Question
What was signed as a result of the Lateran Pact?
The concordat
What did the concordat mean for the Church? (3 details)
-Vatican would be an independent sovereign country
- church was compensated for the land lost in the Italian reunification
-Catholicism was made the official state religion
What did the improved relations with the Church mean for Mussolini?
-brought him popularity and prestige
How did the concordat effect (the Church? (3 details)
-meant that clergy could not belong to a political party
-bishops would be all Italian
-pope could not interfere in Italian international affairs
What led to tensions developing between the Church and Mussolini?
The Church interfered with politics through youth organisations
What was the name of the Catholic youth organisation that interfered with politics?
Catholic Action
What did Mussolini threaten to do to the youth organisation?
To destroy it
What did Pope Pius do to Mussolini?
He openly opposed his handling of the situation
What did the Pope ban?
Catholics from reading leading fascist books
What did the Church oppose?
The racial laws
