Acerba animi

Acerba animi is an encyclical of Pope Pius XI. , With which he turned on 29 September 1932, the bishops of Mexico and denouncing the persecution of the Church in Mexico as well as the behavior of the pastor, compared to the culture- limited state laws, instructions and advice given.

Compromise between church and state

Initially referred Pius XI. his encyclical Iniquis afflictisque of 18 November 1926 had also criticized the persecution of the Church in Mexico and the Mexican clergy encouraged to persevere. He goes into this new letter a on the political and religious situation in Mexico and stated that the rift between church and state has changed. The compromise lies in the fact that the state recognize the Church as a social and size, however, the church contained any political influence in return. The government no longer demand strict compliance with the Constitution and tolerate religious schools and universities under church leadership. Also Orders could be active in Mexico again, but will criticize the quantitative state licensure by Catholic priests, who was too small to fulfill the apostolic and pastoral mission of the church.

Recommendations

As a countermeasure recalled Pius XI. to the work of lay organizations that have framed their concerns publicly and had articulated in the dispute over the socialist education in the thirties the views of the Church. But in general, both sides would abide by the agreements. Political office holders who demanded adherence to the Constitution forcefully in ecclesiastical matters, sometimes lose their office and critical state priests would launched on the other side of their superiors to order. Now he called upon the clergy, although they were in a difficult political situation to exist through activities and actions on their Christian actions.