Iniquis afflictisque

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With the encyclical Iniquis afflictisque of November 18, 1926, Pope Pius XI. “On the persecution of the Church in Mexico”.

To separate church and state

“If in the first centuries of our era and in other periods of history Christians were treated in a more barbaric way than they are today, it never and nowhere did a handful of people understand the rights of God and the Church in such a monstrous way Trodden feet "

Pius XI rebelled. in his encyclical. He further states: The open persecution began with the seizure of power by some revolutionaries in 1914, in February 1915 alone 160 priests were murdered in Mexico . The new constitution of 1917 not only separates state and church , but completely deprives them of their rights. The Church is not allowed to acquire or possess anything. The state authorities have the right to interfere, even in worship .

To pursue

In the greater part of this encyclical he describes the legal restrictions and denounces the persecution of Catholics , it is a catalog of injustice:

  • The conflicts between ecclesiastical and political power are now reaching their climax. The state decree of 1926 further restricts the life of the church.
  • Holy Masses must be approved in some regions, and church buildings must also be approved by the relevant authorities.
  • In some states, churches, convents, and monasteries are closed and confiscated by the government , and in some places Catholic priests are only allowed if they are married.
  • The priests are downgraded to the level of unskilled workers, with the main difference that they not only have to be Mexicans by birth and are not allowed to exceed a maximum number determined by law, but also no longer have any civil or political rights. Vows by religious are considered not to have been taken.

Mexican liberalism reacts to worldwide protests by intensifying it. Unauthorized worship is punishable by the strictest penalties , bishops are dragged to court, some even imprisoned, holders of public offices, but especially every youth educator, must publicly admit to the politics of the president and his fight against the church. Mexicans of both sexes who stand up for the rights of the Church, either verbally or in writing, have been judged on a fast track and disappear behind bars. Priests and lay people are murdered on the street or even in front of places of worship in public places.

To the episcopate

Pius XI. praised the reaction of the Mexican bishops and confirmed a fair criticism, which he had already confirmed in his Apostolic Letter " Paterna sane " of February 2, 1926. Despite the apostolic and theological admonition to the rulers, the final separation took place in July 1926, but the episcopate was not responsible for this, he expressly writes and protects the Mexican clergy . In spite of the extreme patience shown by the clergy and laypeople , this monstrosity occurred, and so he compares the government's decrees with the imprisonment of Jesus Christ: “Every day I was with you in the temple and you did not stretch out your hands After me; but this is your hour and the power of darkness ” ( Luk 22, 53 ).

See also

The encyclicals Acerba animi and Nos es muy conocida on the persecution of the Church in Mexico

Web links