The relationship between the Catholics and the Fascists

Early years: How did tensions remain?

Catholic trade unions rivalled Fascist organisations, and the Fascist indoctrination of the young clashed with church values (Catholic Action clashed with Fascist Youth organisations)

Why did relations improve when Pope Pius became Pope?

Both the Pope and M were concerned about the threat of socialism and were prepared to be pragmatic, to collaborate and make concessions

How did M support the Catholics economically

M saved the almost bankrupt Bank of Rome in 1923. He authorised state funding to save the bank that managed the assets of the Church. He also increased clerical pay and made them tax exempt

What did M do to his children to increase support from the Catholic Church?

Mussolini’s children were baptised and he married his wife in church ten years after their civil marriage. If the leader is doing this, it shows his willingness to support the Catholic Church

When were the Lateran Pacts?

1929

Lateran Pacts 1929: The political treaty

Italy recognised the independence of the Vatican by establishing it as a independent state in Rome with the Pope as its head of state. Thereby, the Pope recognised Rome as the Italian Capital and there was a solution to the longstanding Roman Question

Lateran Pacts 1929: A financial convention

The Church was given 750 million lira and 1 billion lira in state bonds as compensation for the lands lost at unification in 1871. This allowed the Church to be invested in the Government doing well, and directly benefit from their success

Lateran Pacts 1929: A concordat

Catholicism was recognised as the sole state religion and as independent from the state. RE was taught in secondary and elementary schools and the state granted the Church the right to censorship of books, newspapers and films.

Problems with the Concordat

The Pope appointed bishops, but the government could veto the appointment of any anti - fascists

When was the Vatican established as an independent state?

Feb 1929

What laws did the Catholics openly oppose?

Anti semitic laws

What were the benefits of the Lateran Pact for Mussolini?

It strengthened the regime as by establishing the Vatican, it reduced any anti - fascist activity from the Catholics. He was seen as a man of peace and it also cemented his position overseas as he was seen as a great statesman by resolving the roman question.

What were the benefits of the Lateran Pact for the Church?

It extended their role and influence in Italian life, as they re entered education and had a religious revival in the 1930s, where the number of catholic marriages increased. By establishing the independent Vatican, they had sovereignty granted which gained them power and they could orchestrate a nation of their own.

What was the slogan used to show their close relations?

For Pope and Duce

What were the limits of the Lateran Pact on Mussolini

It shows the limits of the dictatorship as it strengthened Catholicism as another ideology. Some radical Fascists were critical of the concordat as they thought M betrayed Fascist ideals

How did the Catholic Church support the Fascists after the Lateran treaty?

Many Catholics became active supporters of Fascism. The Church encouraged catholic voters to support Mussolini in the plebiscite in March 1929 and again in 1934, endorsing the Fascist government.

Example of how not all priests supported the regime?

In 1930, 3000 priests supported a letter protesting about the open support for the regime.

Tensions after the Lateran Pacts

Fascist leaders such as Giurati accused Catholic Action of breaking the terms of the Concordat and allowing anti Fascist ideals. This lead to police raids and violence in which Catholic youth organisations were closed. This lead to major disputes