CATHOLIC UNION FOR SOCIAL STUDIES IN ITALY. – An association among Italian Catholics to promote social studies inspired by Catholic thought.
Reviving an ancient project and following the example of a similar organization on the international level, the Fribourg Union (q.v.), in which various Italians had participated, was founded on 29 Dec. 1889 in Padua, where the local bishop Monsignor Callegari, Monsignor Sarto (then bishop of Mantua), and Professor Toniolo had gathered for the occasion. Monsignor Callegari served as honorary president and Toniolo as effective president.
The Union adhered to the Opera dei Congressi (q.v.) without, however, merging with it, in accordance with explicit directives from the Pope (24 Nov. 1897). The “Società cattolica italiana per gli studi scientifici” (q.v.) joined it as an autonomous section, remaining active until the new organization of Italian Catholic Action (q.v.) decreed by the Blessed Pius X. During its period of activity, it held two national congresses. The first, held in Genoa, had the following practical results: 1) the founding of the International Review of Social Sciences and Auxiliary Disciplines (q.v.); 2) the spread of Circoli di studi sociali for lectures and systematic courses in sociology (Genoa, Milan, Naples, etc.) and the establishment of chairs of sociology in seminaries (Milan, Florence, Treviso, Rovigo, etc.); 3) the founding of higher schools of religion, an example of which had existed in Padua since 1890. The second Congress, held in Padua (26–27 Aug. 1896; an official bulletin, Il Congresso, was published at the time), resulted in a series of guidelines for the protection of the working classes, especially agricultural workers, in harmony with the Program of Catholics in the Face of Socialism proclaimed at Milan (3–4 Jan. 1894) by the Assembly of the Union and subscribed to by Toniolo and other leaders of the Catholic movement.
Pietro Palazzini
UNION [OF THE ORIENTALS]: See CHRISTIAN ORIENT.