Twenty-four hours after an accord had been reached between the Italian Fascists and the Catholic Action, Pope Pius XI today solemnly renewed his attack against “exaggerated nationalism” which he described as a “veritable curse” leading ultimately to war and destruction.
While the Italian press hailed the understanding, which reaffirmed the relations between Fascism and the Church, as proof of continuity of Fascist policy, the Supreme Pontiff told students of the College for the Propagation of the Faith:
“Watch against exaggerated nationalism as against a veritable curse. It seems to us, unfortunately, that facts have shown only too well that we are right when we say a ‘veritable curse’, for it causes continual divisions that fall little short of war.”
Virginio Gayda, Fascist commentator, wrote today in the Voce d’Italia that Saturday’s accord on the scope of Catholic Action’s activities in Italy reveals there is no conflict between the State and the Church on the racial question.
“This matter belongs exclusively and entirely to national policy,” he wrote, “and as such is entirely in the hands of the Fascist Government.”
He added: “Fascism remains firmly in the position it has taken. Between Fascism and the Church there is none of that mortal unfriendliness wished for by their common enemies.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
