The Popes and Democracy - PART II. Specific Concepts 21. Equal Co-Operation of All Citizens

This rapid survey of modern democratic errors would not be complete without saying a word or two on one of the basic tenets of Modern Democracy, namely, the right of every citizen to co-operate in the common effort. St. Pius X condemned "the dangerous alliances" made by some liberal Catholics. He condemned the suggestion that all and everyone, irrespective of their religious and philosophical beliefs, should co-operate with equal rights in building the civilisation of tomorrow. He explained why this was an error. "There is no true civilisation without a moral civilisation, and there is no true moral civilisation without the true religion. It is a proven truth, an historical fact. All practical realisations reflect the nature of one's religious convictions, just as the limbs of a man down to his fingertips owe their very shape to the principle of life that dwells in his body. What are we to think of an association in which all religions and even Free Thought can in all freedom manifest themselves?" (St. Pius X "Our Apostolic Mandate") Throughout this passage (2 full pages), St. Pius X explained that such co-operation between people of various religions and philosophical horizons could only result in the setting up of "some kind of new religion at once godless and humanistic." He stressed that true Christians alone are qualified to build the society of tomorrow, and that they must do so without associating with misbelievers and unbelievers. They must have full and complete leadership, "not seeking perilous coalitions and dangerous compromises." It follows that the civil constitution cannot grant equal rights to all citizens, nor can it allow all citizens to rise to positions of power, otherwise unbelievers would soon run the whole State. It follows that the Organisation of the State must be modelled on the Organisation of the Church, so that men may have the same necessary guidance in matters temporal as they have, through the Church, in matters spiritual. A State which allows itself to be ruled by the masses instead of controlling and guiding them, is like a man who allows himself to be ruled by his passions and instincts.