What do you think of Pius XII?

[Genesis315]

Legatus:

Lets be careful to distinguish between conservatism in the Church and conservatism in politics. The latter can be quite un-Christian and, in fact, I have read that Benedict XVI would consider socialism to be more consistent with the Gospel than capitalism. Obviously we may presume that he would not be approving of those forms of socialism which are atheistic or which are based on class struggle.

St. Thomas More’s “Utopia” basically describes a kind of Christian communism.

 

[InnocentIII]

Legatus:

Lets be careful to distinguish between conservatism in the Church and conservatism in politics. The latter can be quite un-Christian and, in fact, I have read that Benedict XVI would consider socialism to be more consistent with the Gospel than capitalism. Obviously we may presume that he would not be approving of those forms of socialism which are atheistic or which are based on class struggle.

I was not trying to blurr the distinction between religion and politics. However it was radicalism in politics that led to many demands for radicalism in religion. Specifically many became convinced that the Church had to be in tune with the radical social movements of the 60s and 70s. My point was that the present generation of young people seems to be rejecting the radicalism of its parents and grandparents in both. This may or may not be a good think in politics. I definitely think it is a good thing in religion where the tradition of 2000 years should not be cast off lightly as many in the 60s wished. The strength of any religion is its testament to the eternal not the ephemeral.

One of the things that I dound most distasteful from the 60s was its total lack of historical grounding. Like the world of children it was self-referencing. The statement by the Beatles that they were bigger than Christ shows exactly this type of arrogance. It is now only half a century since the Beatles phenomenum and they are all but forgotten except by aging boomers (a 16 yr old in my class the other day asked who John Lennon was). In another 2000 years I believe the Church will still be there bearing witness to Christ as Venerable Pius did but the icons of the 60s will be of interest only to historicans of the period.

I guess my point is that the love of Pus XII that seems to be growing among the young reveals a greater sense of our tradition and our roots. The belief that the 60s constituted the new Year 0 of the Church is fast dying.

 

[Roche42]

I’m also under 30 and I pray that some day Pope Pius XII will be canonized. The Myth of Hitler’s Pope was a great read and I can only pray that more people will read it. Its kind of sad, when I try to explain to others, even Catholics, that slander of Pope Piux XII is nonsensical, they don’t believe me, but I for one will keep fighting the good fight to get the truth out there and I would encourage you all to do the same!