Pius XI 1922-1939

Pius XI (1922-1939)

Born at Desio on May 31, 1857: Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti
Early education from village priest and minor seminary
Priestly training in Milan (Ordained in 1879)
Gregorian University, L.L.D., Sapiential University, S.T.D., Academy of St. Thomas, Ph.D.
1882: Professor in Milan Seminary
1888-1911: Ambrosian Library (Director after 1907)
"the silent meeting-place of the learned Milanese . . . and a second native land to all seekers after truth"
1912-1918: Vice-Prefect of Vatican Library
1919: Nuncio to new Polish Republic and Titular Archbishop of Lepanto
1921: Cardinal Archbishop of Milan
Benedict XV called three of the new cardinals together and observed: "Today I have given you the [cardinal’s] purple, but one of you will soon be white."
February 6, 1922: Elected pope on 14th ballot
Urbi et Orbi blessing facing Bernini’s Square in front of St. Peters

Christ the King,1925

Pius XI an absolute monarch
Curial Cardinals often trembled in his presence
Hermann Goering felt over-awed when ushered into his presence

Mortalium Animos, January 6, 1928
"on religious unity"

Pius XI condemns "pan-Christians" who hold to "that false opinion which considers all religions to be more or less good and praiseworthy, since they all in different ways manifest and signify that sense which is inborn in us all, and by which we are led to God and to the obedient acknowledgment of His rule" (#2).
At the same time he makes it clear that he is not against Christian union, although he has a particular understanding of what such union would entail

. . . Holy Mother Church . . . has indeed nothing more at heart than to recall her erring sons and to lead them back to her bosom [#4].

Furthermore, in this one Church of Christ no man can be or remain who does not accept, recognize and obey the authority and supremacy of Peter and his legitimate successors [#11].

So, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics: for the union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it, for in the past they have unhappily left it. To the one true Church of Christ, we say, which is visible to all, and which is to remain, according to the will of its Author, exactly the same as He instituted it [#10].

Roman Question

Lateran Pacts signed on Feb 11, 1929
Popes gave up all claim to former Papal States, including Rome
State of Vatican City (108.7 acres)
Catholicism is state religion of Italy
State recognition of Catholic marriage, religious orders and societies
Freedom to carry out pastoral work
Religious instruction in schools
Compensation to be paid to Vatican

Rappresentanti in Terra, Dec 31, 1929
"on Christian education"

Affirmed importance of Christian education for individual, families, and society
Education responsibility of family, civil society, and church: ". . . by right and in fact the mission to educate belongs preeminently to the Church" (#’s 15 and 27)
Condemned co-educational schools

False also and harmful to Christian education is the so-called method of “co-education.” . . . there is not in nature itself, which fashions the two [sexes] quite different in organism, in temperament, in abilities, anything to suggest that there can be or ought to be promiscuity [indiscriminate mixing or mingling], and much less equality in the training of the two sexes. These, in keeping with the wonderful designs of the Creator, are destined to complement each other in the family and in society, precisely because of their differences, which therefore ought to be maintained and encouraged during their years of formation, with the necessary distinction and corresponding separation, according to age and circumstances, These principles, with due regard to time and place, must, in accordance with Christian prudence, be applied to all schools, particularly in . . . adolescence . . . (# 68).

Casti Connubii December 30, 1930
"on Christian marriage"

Warned against trial and temporary marriages, mixed marriage, divorce, abortion and the practice of birth control
A step forward in that, besides the "primary purpose" of marriage (i.e., children), it recognized the "mutual and harmonious development of the partners" as a "primary reason for marriage" (# )

Quadragesimo Anno, May 15, 1931

Merits and limitations of both Marxist socialism and "liberal" Capitalism

Dorothy Day (Catholic Worker) "All are called to be saints, not to do the extraordinary--if sanctity depended on doing the extraordinary, there would be few saints."

Concordat with Third Reich

Initiative from German Reich
Pius XI saw a concordat as a way of keeping National Socialism in check and securing full rights and freedom for German Catholics
Pius XI renounced any role for the Catholic Church in Hitler’s regime
Hitler’s atrocities against Jews and repression of Catholics
1933: Signing of the Reich Concordat

Mit Brennender Sorge, March 14, 1937

Condemns the Nazism of the Third Reich
It does not criticize or even mention rising anti-Semitism in Europe

Divini Redemptoris, March 19, 1937

Categorically condemned atheistic communism

Pius XI died in the fall of 1939
Cardinal Pacelli was Secretary of State
Shortest conclave in history elected Pacelli
He chose to be called Pius XII