Dilectissima nobis
With the encyclical Dilectissima nobis (3 June 1933) to the Cardinals, the other archbishops and bishops, the clergy and all the people of Spain, takes Pope Pius XI. " Position to the persecution of the Church in Spain ".
Historical Background
( See main article: Second Spanish Republic )
On April 14, 1931 proclaimed Niceto Alcalá Zamora, the Second Spanish Republic and became president. The 1931 given new constitution introduced in addition to the voting rights for women and civil marriage. After a failed coup attempt in August 1932, after the elections of 1933, Alejandro Lerroux as the new Prime Minister of the government.
Political and religious development
The Spanish episcopate was set monarchist and had existed since 1931 Republic reluctantly accepted. The pope had condemned the anti-clerical legislation of the country and delayed the recognition of the new regime. Since 1910, a decline of practicing Catholics had hinted in Spain and in some areas more than 25 percent of the children were not baptized.
Separation of Church and State
The economic plight of the country brought the liberal, socialist and radical socialist parties rising feed. The new republican constitution determined the separation of church and state. In the course of further reform the civil marriage and divorce was introduced. In May of 1932 opened the Cardinal Primate of Spain and Archbishop of Toledo, in a pastoral letter to the resistance against the Republic. The Catholic church in Spain thus strengthened their allegations against the " red Antichrist " and "enemies of the Kingdom of Christ." In the following year, 1933, the Spanish bishops called for a " holy crusade for the complete restoration of the Church's rights " on.
The Persecution of the Church
About the political developments addition, defendant Pius XI. the ever-increasing hatred against the Christians and the institutions of the Church. This subversive development has spread in Mexico and Russia. He warned against anarchy in parts of the world. Against these destructive forces he had already addressed his encyclical Quas Primas (1925 ) articulate, and thus set an example. He as Pope kick, one for freedom, order, peace, harmony and peace.
Expropriations
Pius XI. damn the misappropriations of church goods, buildings and objects. They would the rightful claim of the Church torn because these goods were eventually acquired financially. He writes that the state not the power had been granted to sell religious items and desecrate, so the church demand a compensation.
Art theft
Due to the anti-religious forces and of lust for power of the rulers, so accuses the Pope, would sacramental objects, church buildings, works of art, and even in churches, not spared. The robbery or the removal of ecclesiastical art treasures would violate the sentimentality of the faithful and disregard the Christian dignity.
Persecution of communities
In pursuit of the Christian communities he points out that the religious communities were wounded by the deplorable laws and not spared. The members were persecuted, denounced and unjustly accused. You should be tormented, registered and dranglasiert. You would be imposed extra tax that they could not pay, only to be convicted and deported. The prisoners and displaced people would then suffer a long and difficult ordeal.
Exhortation
In the final Exhortation he calls his confreres in Spain for calm, prudence and reason. Pius XI. exhorts them to continue to vigorously protect their " flock" and to stand up for religious rights. It was necessary to defend the faith and discipline to oppose the dangerous influences of the State steadfast. He encourages all clergy faithful in mutual responsibility and fight in the Catholic attitude to the faith.