The Routledge Companion to Christian History by Chris Cook

Author:Chris Cook [Cook, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Religion, Christianity, History
ISBN: 9780415383639
Google: 0YCFQgAACAAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2008-01-15T16:13:38+00:00

THE CHURCH IN THE AGE OF THE DICTATORS, 1918–45

1918

Conservative regime of Sidonia Pais in Portugal revokes anti-clerical measures and reopens diplomatic relations with the papacy. Cult of Our Lady of Fatima becomes increasingly popular after three children claim to have seen the Virgin on a hillside in Extremadura.

1919

Catholic Partito Popolare formed (Jan.) in Italy. Pope lifts ban on Catholic participation in political life and in following elections (Nov.) Catholics strongly represented.

United Evangelical Protestant National Church reorganized in Germany.

1920

Moves towards reconciliation with papacy in France.

Canonization of Joan of Arc.

Cardinal Pacelli, later Pius XII, becomes papal nuncio in Berlin.

1929

Lateran treaties with papacy recognizing the Vatican as a state and the Pontiff as its head. The Church assumes privileged status in Italy and formal reconciliation between the papacy and Kingdom of Italy takes place.

1931

Constitution of Republic separates Church and State; reduces clerical salaries; forbids Orders to teach and suppresses the Jesuits in Spain.

Pius XI publishes encyclical Quadragesimo Anno on his ideas of the corporate state.

1932

Widespread attacks on church property in Madrid, Barcelona and southern Spain. Over 55 churches or convents destroyed. Protestant group founds pro-Nazi ‘German Christians’.

1933

Pope Pius XI protests in encyclical Dilectissima nobis about anti-clerical measures in Spain.

Publicly praises Hitler for his stand against communism and German bishops withdraw their opposition. Hitler and chairman of German Catholic Centre Party hold discussions and Centre Party supports Enabling Act (March). Centre Party dissolves itself (July). Concordat signed between Nazi Germany and Holy See (July); ratified in September. Ludwig Muller of German Christians becomes Bishop of the Reich. Protestant churches amalgamate as German Evangelical Church.

1934

Priests and religious in Oviedo murdered during Asturias rising in Spain.

The Protestant Barmen Synod accuses German Christians of departing from the Gospels and abandoning the legal basis of the Protestant churches.

1935

Nuremberg Laws deprive Jews of citizen rights and forbid sexual relations and inter-marriage. Hitler sets up ministry of church affairs.

1936

Attacks on church property following election of Popular Front; 160 churches or convents destroyed and 269 clergy killed. Renewed attacks and atrocities in Spain following the outbreak of war: 12 bishops and over 7,000 religious and clergy killed. Pius XI denounces ‘the satanic enterprise’ and blesses Franco’s cause. Franco declares ‘Spain shall be an empire turned towards God’.

1937

Protestant Church deprived of control of its finances. Protestant opposition in Germany forbidden. Pastor Niemöller and other Protestant pastors arrested and sent to concentration camps.

Papal encyclical on atheistic communism.

1938

Diplomatic relations renewed in Spain between papacy and Nationalists. The Pope calls for the re-establishment of a Catholic Spain. Anti-Jewish pogrom on 9–10 November, the Kristallnacht, arouses protests from some church groups in Germany.

1939

Cardinal Pacelli becomes Pope Pius XII.

1941

Germans begin extermination of Jews in occupied territories of Poland and Russia.

Beginning of construction of camps primarily for the systematic murder of Jews. Mass deportations of Jews from Germany to camps in the east begin.

Cardinal Galen of Munster condemns Nazi euthanasia programme.

1942

Heydrich chairs ‘Wannsee Conference’ of Nazi officials in Berlin which adopts the ‘final solution’ of deportation and extermination of European Jewry. Hitler closes diplomatic channels with the Vatican.

Dutch bishops issue a public protest against the deportation of Jews to Germany.

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