Catholic Apologetics Online

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The Religion of the Bible

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A Definite Christian Faith

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The Church and Her Moral Teachings

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Comparative Study of Non-Catholic Denominations

To and From Rome

Catholic Action

1237. Would you kindly explain in detail the aims and objects of Catholic Action?

The aim of Catholic Action is the same as that of the Church—the salvation of souls, and the establishing of the reign of Jesus Christ in all phases of individual, family, and social life, so that Christ is ever better known, loved, and served by men. The object is to secure the coordinated action of the Catholic laity in union with, and under the direction of the Bishops for the defense of religious and moral principles, and for the development of a sound and beneficial social crusade outside and above all political parties and movements.

1238. Is not Catholic Action merely organized resistance to the alleged evil of Communism?

Communism is a real evil, not merely an alleged evil. But Catholic Action is not what you apparently think it to be. In reality it is a stimulation of vitality within the Catholic body to resist the Communistic contagion, on the principle that the building up of one's own health is the best safeguard against disease germs. The secondary effect of this will be a reaction upon society itself. The multiplication of virile and healthy Catholic cells in the social body will counteract Communistic poison. But this policy of Catholic Action in opposition to Communism has nothing in common with the bloodthirsty tactics adopted by Communism in its efforts to destroy Christianity whenever the opportunity for murderous persecution presents itself.

1239. In the sermon on the Mount Jesus said that evil should not be resisted.

He was then giving lessons of personal and individual holiness. But here I will let one of the greatest real rationalists in history reply to you, even though he did live in the despised Middle Ages. I hope you will appreciate his clear thinking. St. Thomas Aquinas was faced with the objection that, on its own principles, the Christian religion could not organize any opposition to the forces that would destroy it. And the objector quoted your text where Christ said, "But I say to you not to resist evil." Matt. V., 39. Now here is the reply of St. Thomas Aquinas, "There are two ways in which one can refuse to resist evil. Firstly, one can forgive and overlook personal injuries, and that is virtuous when it can contribute towards the salvation of souls. Secondly, one could refuse to resist evil to other people, and this is a vice when one is able to restrain the aggressor. Much more would it be evil to refuse to resist injuries offered to God."

1240. Pope Pius XI. even said that those who attack "Catholic Action" strike at the Pope.

By that he merely wished to impress on Catholics that he personally inspired the movement called "Catholic Action," and identifies his authority with it. "Catholic Action," of course, is not a political, but a purely religious movement, calling on all Catholics actively to put their principles into practice. Politicians who fear that this will prevent multitudes from accepting their anti-Christian doctrines of absurd racialism and international hatred will naturally regard Catholic Action as a form of political opposition. But the Pope himself has replied to that by saying that, when political rulers themselves go beyond their rights, and invade both the moral and religious sphere, the Church is bound to defend her moral and religious principles.

1241. The Pope added, "He who strikes at the Pope dies. It is a truth which history has proved." Was that a threat?

No. It was a statement of fact embodied in a popular expression quite current in Europe. You must not let it bring to your imagination any crude ideas of poison or daggers, such as were popularized in previous and more prejudiced and credulous generations. The Pope was quoting an axiom which appears in various forms, and which embodies an historical fact. I remember hearing in France the same axiom in the words, "He who bites the Pope dies of it." It merely means that all who attack the great and fundamental moral and religious principles for which the Pope stands are bound to come off second best in the end. And the reference, of course, is not to the Pope personally, but to his supreme office in the Catholic Church. In the clash between Caesar and St. Peter we know who triumphed. Emperors and Kings in history who have opposed the Catholic Church since then have come and gone—but the Church remains. I could give you a formidable list of names through the ages—Attila, Genseric, Charlemagne, Henry IV. of Germany, Frederick Barbarossa, Philip of France, Napoleon, Bismarck, and a host of others who have found only ultimate disaster in their foolish opposition to the eternal principles of the Catholic Church.

1242. Is the Pope any different from other men?

By his office he is. For he is the supreme representative of Christ in this world, that Christ who promised with divine authority and power, that the forces of evil would never prevail against His Church. But quite apart from that, the position of the Pope is undoubtedly the greatest in this world. Papini, who recently wrote a "Life of Christ" which has become world-famous, has since published a remarkable estimate of the office held by the Pope. "For the historian," he writes, "the Pope is the unique witness of the remote past; the heir of Moses the legislator, the successor of the Caesars. For the philosopher he is the preserver of the living traditions of the human race. For the artist he has the majesty of Solomon, the authority of St. Peter, and speaks the language of Virgil under the dome of Michelangelo. For the politician he is the spiritual sovereign of over 300 million men. For the Catholic he is the follower of St. Peter and the Vicar of Jesus Christ. Human, he speaks in the name of God; of the earth, he speaks eternally of heaven; living, he is in constant communion with the dead; modern, he seems eternally ancient; Italian, he speaks to all nations; a sinner, he can wipe out all guilt and administer the patrimony of the Saints." So writes Papini. And even though a man did not agree with all that he has said, the mere fact that the Pope is one of whom such things could be said cannot but leave the impression that the Pope is somewhat different from other men. See R.R., Vol I., 1441-1588

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MORE FROM VOLUME 2

• About the Author
• Introduction
  - Rev. Charles Mortimer Carty
• Preface
  - John Gregory Murray
  Archbishop of Saint Paul
• Forward
  - Dr Leslie Rumble, MSC

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