Relationship with the Catholic Church Flashcards
what did Mussolini declare Catholicism to be?
the political force which would bring out Italian unity and nationalism
what did M say about Fascism’s view of the Catholic Church?
that fascism neither preaches nor practices anticlericalism
when did Pope Pius XI become Pope?
January 1922
why did Pius XI like fascism?
he saw it as the only means in which Italy could be saved from a left-wing revolution
what policies did M introduce which benefitted the RCC?
- religious education was reintroduced
- crucifixes were restored to public buildings
- priests got a pay rise
- ban on freemasonry
- ban on anticlerical journals
- dropped proposed plans to tax church property
what personal commitment did M take to get closer to the RCC?
he had his 3 children baptised and married his wife in a church
what happened to the PPI?
the Pope backed the PNF instead and no longer gave any support to the PNF
when was Luigi Sturzo ordered to resign?
1923
Pope ordered his resignation and called for PPI members to support the PNF instead
what was the Pope’s position on the Matteotti crisis?
he backed Mussolini and the PNF
when were the Lateran Pacts signed?
11 February 1929
what were the key aspects of the Lateran Pacts?
- 44 hectares of land given to the Pope
- gave the pope 750 million lire for compensation
- Catholicism was recognised as the official state religion in Italy
- Catholic youth groups allowed to continue as long as no political activities were occuring
how large was the Vatican City
44 hectares
what were Catholic youth groups called?
Catholic Action
where did Church support help M?
in the 1929 and 1928 plebiscites
the RCC and the Pope appealed to Italians to vote yes which would give M the support of the Italian people
what did M use the plebiscites for?
so that he could claim that he had the support of the Italian people behind him
how many voted yes in the 1929 plebiscite?
98% of 8.63 million
what went on to be the main area of tension between M and the RCC?
the Catholic Action groups
what became the problem in Catholic Action groups?
- former PPI members became leaders
- accused of trying to form trade unions
- accused of being anti-fascist
- accused of playing sport
what deal was struck between M and the RCC in 1931?
- keep Catholic Action
- more restrictions and surveillance
- NO political direction or indoctrination
how many members were there of Catholic Action in the 1930s?
250,000
why did M not want Catholic Action playing sport?
it would rival his own ONB
what became a problem for the RCC in 1938?
M’s growing anti-semitic legislation and the persecution of Jews
who succeeded Pius XI in 1939?
Pius XII
what was Pius XII view of anti-Semitic legislation?
he helped M
