«DIVINI REDEMPTORIS». - Encyclical of Pius XI, dated 19 March 1937 (AAS, 29 [1937], pp. 65-106), against atheistic communism, whose principles are manifested in Bolshevism.
After recalling the constant attitude of the Church towards communism, as evidenced by the various preceding encyclicals and letters of his predecessors, Pius XI develops his argument under the following headings: 1) The “so-called new gospel,” under the pretext of redeeming the masses, instead presents a materialist doctrine that subverts justice, human dignity and personhood, the family, society, and religion. 2) The methods of proselytism: the ground prepared by amoral liberalism, secularism, and the silence of the major press readily yielded to propaganda conducted by every means—open or insidious, overt or cloaked in the most innocent appearances—fueled by an abundant press. 3) The opposing doctrine of the Church in the familial, social, and religious spheres, founded on human dignity and brotherhood and on divine sonship. 4) The remedies. The first and principal remedy is the spiritual renewal of individuals and nations in the light of the Gospel, especially in the light of the commandment of love. To this must be added the study of social questions and the dissemination of Catholic doctrine concerning them. 5) The collaborators: first and foremost the clergy, supported by members of Catholic Action and by all who still retain a sound understanding of true human coexistence. 6) The cooperation of the State, which must promote the well-being of its citizens through moral policy, wise and prudent administration, and the recognition of the Church’s full freedom to spread its salutary doctrines.