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The Papacy In History And Prophecy |
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PAGE 27 The British minister at the Vatican, Count de Salis, wrote "Everything in the Vatican is dominated by the Popes fear of Russian Communism, that the Soviets may reach Western Europe.'' In 1870 the new Italian State seized the Papal territory. It was from 1870-1922 that a period of "anti-clerical" and liberal upsurge arose. The term "anti-clerical" indicates fanatical outspoken hatred of the, clergy; the term "Liberal" is synonymous with "Socialist", "atheist" and "communist.'' It was a time of virtually, complete suppression of the Papacy by the State. As far as political involvement was concerned the Catholics were in no position to speak or to ally themselves with a strong power. On 22nd October 1922 under the dictatorship of Mussolini the New Fascist State came to power. Mussolini initially, before he came to power, was a "noisy'' anti-clerical and because he saw that the Papacy could strengthen his cause, he completely turned about. He learned about the Church's influence at home and abroad and acknowledging its long and "fruitful" history he was prepared to assume complete affiliation with it. It is important to realize that within just a matter of ten years the same maneuvers were being worked out in Germany - under the dictatorship of Nazism. In February 1929 the Lateran Treaty was signed between Pius XI and Mussolini. The treaty reaffirms the principle contained in the first article of the constitution of the Halian Kingdom, by which the Catholic Apostolic Roman religion was the only state religion in Italy. The treaty recognized the full property and occlusive dominion and sovereign jurisdiction of the Holy See over the Vatican as at present constituted. The city of the Vatican was created, and in its territory no interference by the Italian government would be possible, for there was to be no authority other than that of the Holy See. The Vatican territory would always be considered neutral and inviolable. Annexed to this treaty was the Concordat which recognized the juridical personality of the Church. THE VATICAN'S INTEREST IN GERMANY
The Franco-German wars of 1872, 1914-18, 1939-45 were instigated by the Vatican. The objective was and has been for years to strengthen the grip on the German nation. The Vatican went to incredible lengths to pursue their cause. PAGE 28 It is almost unbelievable as to the atrocities which were committed to maintain a hold on the vatican's interest on a specific goal. The Vatican saw the Germanic power as one of great importance and potential to build up her relations with the other European countries, and this became her main goal. Vatican intrigue played a major part in the rise and promotion of Adolf Hitler. Franz von Papen, the Pope's Privy Chamberlain declared, "Nazism is a Christian reaction against the spirit of 1789" (the French Revolution), This statement placed a cloak of respectability over Hitler's ideas and it was due to Franz von Papen's intrigue into political affairs that Hitler was a success. Von Papen was a member of a political party as well and he soon came to power in the 1930's. Hitler was behind him and on 30th January he came to power. It required a two thirds majority for full powers to be given to Hitler. There was a majority of Catholics; (the Centre Party and the Bavarian Peoples Part (BVP)) and therefore their powers were asserted. It was the work of Mqr Pacelli (the future Pius XII) to keenly observe and effect influence in the Nazi Party to establish itself. The Concordat (agreement between a head of State and the Pope) negotiated after accession of Hitler was one of great benefit to the Church. It has been assumed that Hitler was irreligious because of his initiation of callous, unspeakable atrocities. He once and again publicly stated that it is the desire of God that such and such should be done. His association with the Catholic System is evidenced when he began to justify his motives or actions. Just as he was anti-French he was anti-Semitic; his tenacity was to permeate his beliefs and enthusiasm amongst his followers. We are aware of the atrocities which followed; of the slaughter of millions of Jews and W.W. II in which the Nazis were engaged. It is not our endeavor to show the atrocities but just to make you aware of the influences of the Catholic System. The extermination of the Jews in so many concentration camps through Europe took place and yet Pope Pius XII claimed that he wasn't aware of it. It wasn't a period of months over which this happened but of years. This is a hard thing to believe as the communication of information to the Vatican in many ways is faster and more efficient than many other systems. With the incredible number of the clergy present in Germany it is amazing that the Pope claims he didn't know? Francois Charles Rowe, Ambassador of France to the Vatican: Pius XII was perfectly aware what cruelties the PAGE 29 Germans were committing in Poland. He also knew of the hardships they were imposing on the Czechs in Bohemia and Moravia. The evidence of German cruelties is so abundant that Pius XII no longer feels entitled to doubt it" (22.1.1940) Catholic propaganda, states that the Church was persecuted by the Germans between 1933-1954, but in reality the clergy in their churches were blessing the Swastika. Much more could be mentioned, of the intrigue by the Vatican in the affairs of the Nazi regime but it is sufficient to acknowledge who initiated the moves that were made. Such books as "Catholic Terror Today" - Avro Manhattan and "The Vatican Against Europe" - Edmond Paris depict in greater depth the actual Catholic involvement of the callous and indescribable atrocities which were condoned. THE VATICAN INTEREST IN SPAIN
It was necessary for the Vatican to find a Spanish politician or soldier prepared to oppose the Liberal Government of Spain and to proclaim a dictatorship, such a man was Franco. Having started on 17th July 1936 with 35,000 Moorish Soldiers, Franco was soon to receive reinforcements from Italy and Germany and took control of Spain. Edmond Paris in "The Vatican against Europe" writes. "the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) made it a dress rehearsal of the great tragedy that was on its way (W.W. II) A "Father" Duclos wrote "Franco had conducted the entire civil war as champion of the Church....." On 23 May the "Osservatore Romano" stressed the warm welcome given by Pius XII to 3,000 soldiers and officers from Catholic Spain. On 17th August came the of the reinstatement of Crucifices in every Spanish school." Bishop of Cartagena said (1936-9) "Blessed be the guns if they make way for the flourishing of the Gospel". This was a good testing ground for the Vatican to determine the acceptability of its influence in such countries. THE VATICAN INTEREST IN RUSSIA
Ever since the Bolshevick Revolution of 1917 it was the endeavor of the Pope to organize a Concordat with the new Russian Government and consequently the Pope sent delegates to Russia, but without success. In 1922 the Genoa Conference took place between the Russian delegate, Chicherin and the allies. The problem at this stage was that Russia was not recognized by the major PAGE 30 powers, such as U.S. and Britain etc. The Vatican saw a use however in an affiliation with the Russian power because she saw an influence of vast dominion. The Pope sent to this Conference a memorandum "to all the powers at the Conference." Its aim was to persuade them to recognize U.S.S.R. only if the Soviet Union guaranteed religious freedom in Russia. After the Conference Chicherin said "Pius XII flirted with us at Genoa, in the hope that we would break the monopoly of the Orthodox Church in Russia and open the way for him." In May 1927 however, Russia no longer needed Vatican recognition as Britain and the U.S. recognized the U.S.S.R. From 1918 the communists began a systematic persecution of the churches throughout the country. Between 1918 and 1923 there was an extreme endeavor to eradicate the churches. This uncovered persecution was due to the newness of their ability to exercise power. Between 1923-1929 Russia's policy incorporated Lenin's NEP but was not so open in its endeavor to rid the churches. The Vatican during this time found great difficulty in penetrating through the communist power. "Today," says Anthony Rhodes, "the Vatican watches the growing power of Russia. On the one hand she awaits the revival of western Germany as her champion and on the other she contemplates the wisdom of coming to term with the possible future conqueror of Europe." Accordingly in the year 1972 major Vatican ecclesiastics met with the Russian Foreign minister to discuss the wellbeing of the Church and affairs in the world generally. One paper wrote, "Fifty years ago this scene was considered impossible, to day it's a reality." CHANGES IN POLICY
Talking of the declaration by the Vatican, one theologian said "a Catholic reconciliation with the ideas of the French Revolution are the keystones of the council doctrine which, only yesterday were unconditionally condemned." "The Vatican (Pope Paul) no longer holds the "hard line" that she once had against communism" - Norman St. John Stevas. "A fact shows that catholicism is not so foreign to National Socialism as one would wish it to be . Hitler Goebbels and Himmler, as well as most of the party's "old guard", were Catholics ...." PAGE 31 THE CHURCH IN TROUBLE
week, Nov. 4th 1974 reports on the Church's struggle for survival. "On the eve of the fourth world Synod of Bishops, Pope Paul VI stunned a vatican audience with an ominous declaration - "The Church is in difficulty," the Pontiff said flatly, "The Church seems destined to die..... While the bishops succeeded in pinpointing the church's most crucial problems, they failed to come up with any specific recommendations for a cure.... Paul VI, who celebrated his 77th birthday the day before the synod convened appears convinced that the days of his papacy are numbered. Reportedly afflicted with chronic arthosis he had to be assisted up and down steps at the synod. Associates report that the Pontiff is severely depressed and is cutting back on his papal activities. His major goal, they say is simply to make it through 1975, which he has designated as a Holy Year ........ Whoever succeeds Paul VI will have much to do - as the synod dramatically demonstrated. But the meeting also suggested that the next Supreme Pontiff may have a new kind of episcopacy at his side - one that is determined to bring its own expertise to bear. The present Pope, however, seemed anything but overjoyed at that prospect. In his closing address to the synod Paul VI issued on unprecedented censure of some of the prelate's views. The church's future, he emphasized, should not "be left to the arbitrary impulse of individuals." It is most likely however that an ambitious pope will soon arrive on the scene and join hands in an unholy alliance with the Russian Confederacy.
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