Pela Primeira Vez Revela-se o Documento Perdido de Condenação ao Comunismo do Concílio Vaticano II.

Interessante, para esse mês em que se lembra os 100 anos da Revolução Comunista Russa e também os 100 anos da Mensagem de Fátima que condenou o comunismo. Mostra como a Igreja é muito culpada pelas confusões e mortes do comunismo, por ter silenciado tantas vezes.

Durante o Concílio Vaticano II foi preparado um documento com forte condenação ao marxismo e ao Comunismo, em apoio à condenação feita por Nossa Senhora de Fátima.

Mas um grupo de bispos esquerdistas alemães, holandeses e franceses, conhecido como Grupo Reno (Rhine Group) conseguiu dominar a produção dos documentos do Concílio e afastar e rejeitar qualquer condenação ao marxismo e ao Comunismo durante o Concílio. E assim esse documento não faz parte oficialmente dos textos do Concílio Vaticano II. 

É o que conta o site Life Site News.

Imagino que a história seja bem mais complexa, esse Grupo Reno não teria esse poder sem autorizações superiores e se o papa quisesse realmente fazer uma condenação ao comunismo.

O documento se chama "De Cura Animarum Pro Christianis Communismo Infectis", o que poderia ser traduzido para o português como: "Sobre os Cuidados com as Almas que Estão Infectadas pelo Comunismo". 

O documento foi feito em latim e estava perdido, escondido entre muitos documentos,  até então. Mas o site Life Site News o recuperou e o traduziu para o inglês.

Para vocês que não leem em inglês, o texto diz, em resumo:

• Que se dirige para atacar a ameaça do comunismo ateu;
• Comunismo procura derrubar o alicerce cristão da sociedade;
• Comunismo oferece uma falsa redenção quase mística que inflamas as massas. É uma falsa religião sem Deus que tem com base o materialismo;
• O que o comunismo traz é a destruição da liberdade  e da dignidade humana;
• A Igreja tem o dever de se levantar contra a ameaça comunista;
• A prática cristã social é a principal arma contra o ateísmo comunista
• É necessário termos homens que estudem a psicologia comunista e a combata;
• Deve-se promover as ações católicas;
• Católicos estão sendo "infectados" pelo comunismo, alimentados por um falso idealismo, 
• A Igreja deve ajudar os clérigos e os leigos na luta contra o comunismo;
• A Igreja deve colaborar com os cristãos que sofrem a opressão do comunismo em países da "cortina de ferro";
• Deve-se rezar sempre pela liberação daqueles que sofrem a perseguição comunista;

Leiam o documento na íntegra em inglês abaixo ou clicando aqui:

ON THE CARE OF SOULS WITH REGARD TO CHRISTIANS INFECTED WITH COMMUNISM

(DE CURA ANIMARUM PRO CHRISTIANIS COMMUNISMO INFECTIS)

Chapter VI of Part 2 of Praecipuae de Animarum Cura Quaestiones, a preparatory schema of the Second Vatican Council approved in February, 1962 by the Commission on Bishops and the Supervision of Dioceses,

Found in: ACTA ET DOCUMENTA CONCILIO OECUMENICO VATICANO II APPARANDO, SERIES II (PRAEPARATORIA), vol. 3, pars 1, pp. 333-339

Holy Mother Church, following the steps of her Divine Spouse and Teacher and obeying his commands, labors assiduously so that all men “may have life and may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10: 10).

However, in recent times, a danger has arisen that menaces the doctrine and activity of the Church, that is, atheistic communism, whose specific purpose is to radically overturn the social order and to subvert the foundations of Christian civilization.1

For communism teaches a doctrine and pursues a program of action that exceedingly fosters materialism and atheism.

Although it is sometimes moved by an impulse against injustices which we have received in our day as an inheritance from an unjust economic regime,2 communism nonetheless offers a false kind of redemption. “And it is thus pervaded, in a pseudo-mystical way, with a certain false idea of justice, equality and fraternity for all in the administration of their needs and labors, for the purpose of inflaming the masses by enticing them with deceitful promises, by which they are aroused as if by a virulent contagion.”3 And thus communism is altogether devoted to delivering a vision to mankind of an “organic life,” offering a false religion without God, and abolishing the very notion of the eternal Divinity and the hope of another life.4

What follows is the plundering of man’s liberty, in which the spiritual norm of living consists, and likewise the overturning of human dignity and the desecration of human life, as well as the removal of the authority of parents to educate their children.5 2

Seeking, therefore, to bring about a new political order, “an association of men that expels God from the earth,” atheistic communism, “like a new gospel and like a form of salvific redemption, preaches its message to all of humanity.”6

The Catholic Church, however, as it is the legitimate and authentic interpreter of the moral law, has the duty to denounce all acts perpetrated against the divine law, to confirm the faithful, and to illuminate them regarding imminent dangers as well as the social application of its principles.

The Church, as the Mystical Body of Christ, unceasingly labors to unite all men, even those who are erring, through the preaching of the Gospel, and through the love and grace of Christ.

This holy and noble duty first of all obligates “the higher members of this mystical Body, especially those from whom the divine Head will someday render an account for our souls,”7 indeed, the bishops, “whom the Holy Spirit has appointed to rule over the Church of God.”8

Therefore, to the Church belongs the right and duty of fighting against atheistic communism regarding doctrine and regarding action or methods of activity.

It is important to diligently distinguish this activity or evangelical duty of the Church from merely political or economic anticommunism, which has a different purpose. On the other hand, however, “the Church does not only have the right and the duty to uphold principles regarding religion and the integrity of morals, but also to exercise its authority to make pronouncements regarding the way those principles are brought into effect.”9

In such circumstances necessity urges and impels that the Christian faithful, under the leadership of the bishops, be made sufficiently aware of the danger faced by the faith, that they become more knowledgeable about the fundamentals of the faith that are under attack (e.g. the existence of God, the liberty of man, the value of labor, etc.) so that they may be imbued with the doctrine of the Church regarding charity and social justice, and so that they may come to know and faithfully adhere to the most salutary Papal documents regarding social issues,10 so that the Church may renew the moral and social order in Christ through the aid of the priesthood and the apostolate of the laity.

As the Church of God is by no means directly advocating any particular economic and social systems, but seeks “to construct modern civilization in accordance with standards of humanity and evangelical doctrine,”11 a spiritual struggle against atheistic communism, or “this invention so full of errors and delusions,”12 must be carried out so that the Christian faithful might be 3 strengthened, and more apt ways might be offered for the effective carrying out of apostolic activity, especially among laborers.

This pastoral activity should be carried out:
 I – to aid the Christian faithful living in regions not oppressed by communism;
 II – to reeducate young people educated under communism;

 III – in favor of the “silent Church” of the oppressed.

Art. I – On the Christian faithful living in regions not oppressed by communism

1. As the lamentable weakness of piety and religion are the principal cause of so many Christians self-identifying as communists, and as Christian doctrine and the proper activity and practice of the Christian life are the strongest bulwark against atheism and materialism, pastors of souls and instructors of the youth should strive to educate the minds of the faithful so that they might not be troubled by any reasonable doubt nor by any commonly accepted social injustice.

2. § 1. Therefore there is the need for a broader, deeper, and more thoroughly disseminated knowledge of the principles of the science of eternal salvation, which must be conveyed in catechisms published under ecclesiastical authority, in which it is of primary importance to explain the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ and its implications for the activities of life.

§ 2. Catechesis is to include a well-ordered and clear explanation of the social teaching that is contained in the treasury of Catholic doctrine.

3. It is necessary for men of the Church to be imbued with a social spirit that flows forth from Christian doctrine, as well as the constant application of social principles in practice and in daily life.

4. Moreover, the bishops should strenuously and constantly defend the wise allocutions of the popes regarding peace, regarding the principles by which a friendly companionship and harmony should be maintained between the social classes, and regarding the principles by which the less developed and poorer nations are to be aided, as opposed to a contented “racism.” 4

5. A precise and more profound knowledge of the principles upon which communism depends, and a solid doctrinal assault on the “organic worldview” and metaphysics of the communists must be brought about in accordance with the guidelines established by the bishops in each nation.

6. For this purpose, students are to be educated in seminaries and likewise priests in particular courses are to be instructed regarding the doctrines of communism itself, of the truths of the faith it attacks, and of the most apt pastoral method for defending the faith.

7. The bishops in the National Conferences should promote a firm and constant action against the errors of the communists through the use of experts, and likewise should ensure that in each province or nation there should be a specified group of men who, as true experts in communist doctrine, zealously combat the errors of the same doctrine with meticulous care.

8. Because pastoral activity should be addressed to all men, not excluding militant communists, the bishops should ensure that in each province or nation a select group of priests and laity be designated, men who are outstanding in knowledge or reputation, and particularly in the zeal for their apostolate, who strive to win for Christ those who are followers of communism or who are infected by its erroneous doctrines.

9. Apostolic activity consists a) in the integrity of the Christian life in personal habits and conduct, b) in the contempt for riches in accordance with the evangelical spirit, c) in the condemnation of immoral practices that violate social justice, no matter who is guilty of them, including Catholics, d) in the profound knowledge of the social principles of the Church and their application in the life of the community, e) in a mutual and active intimacy with the poor and oppressed, f) in scientific and practical efforts to raise the people to a higher level of dignity, for example, in public legislative bodies, in fraternal unions of workers, etc., g) in the dissemination of the Gospel and of the doctrines of the Church, especially among young students, men of refinement, skilled artisans, and more affluent workers or technicians, h) in showing that Catholic doctrine offers better solutions and approaches to problems.

10. There is a need for an influx of workers’ guilds and a common association of laborers for the purpose of counteracting or eliminating the influx of atheistic communism among simpler souls, who have a poor understanding of the nature of communism and do not support it strongly, although they might vote in favor of communism for economic reasons. 5

11. § 1. Regarding the clergy and Catholic militants, there a need for the greatest zeal, a fervent charity, a spirit of self-abnegation, faith in the value of Christianity – even in temporal matters – and in its final victory, as well as a heart that burns for the establishment of a Christian social order.

§ 2. A careful study of the psychological method that which has been applied extensively by communists among the people, is to be undertaken and developed by learned men.

 3. In each region, having examined the strategies of the communists there, the bishops should select men who will diligently undertake the study of the means by which the “psychological method” of the communists should be opposed.

 4. Christian worker’s guilds (unions), Catholic Action and other such organizations and works for aiding workers, emigrants, and all of the people of the proletarian class, should be vigorously promoted. Bishops and priests should strenuously defend the rights of the workers and foster their progress.

§ 5. This evangelical struggle of the Church against the enemies of the Faith must be carefully distinguished from political or economic anticommunism, whatever just and legitimate civil action might be directed against communism by Catholics and others who hold public office.

§ 6. The direct or indirect acts of communists who strive to exploit the activities and publications of Catholics for their own purposes should be immediately denounced, and should be opposed by the bishops wherever they occur.

§ 7. Catholics who, infected by “progressive” doctrines and zealous for revolution, or because of a false so-called “idealism,” or a wavering judgment, or an erroneous notion of charity, or because of fear of Soviet power and a foolish shame of the judgment of man, impede action against atheistic communism, should be publicly silenced by ecclesiastical authority. Priests delinquent in this regard are to be severely admonished, and, if the case so merits, inflicted with penalties.

§ 8. Those, however, who, whether they are bishops or priests or laity, act to counter atheistic communism in a healthy way, are to be lauded and assisted and, if it is necessary, defended. 6

12. An international commission of bishops and of lay experts should be instituted, which, under the leadership of the Holy See, has the task of overseeing and supporting all of those who seek to defend and liberate mankind from the errors of atheism and communism.

13. It will be the principal duty of this international commission to promote and coordinate the studies, works, ordinances, and laws that debilitate communism and shatter its audacity.

Art. II – On reeducating the youth who have been educated under communism

Let us now consider the miserable fate of those, particularly the youth, who, having been educated under a communist regime, having thrown off the servile yoke of the same and now, dwelling in free countries, live among Catholics who never lost their most sweet liberty, and also among Catholics who, having been oppressed by communism, bewail innumerable evils. Such young people, indeed, returning to the bosom of the Church, cannot be held to be firm and secure Catholics in every respect; indeed they are weary with a hunger for the truth; they desire charity and justice with all their heart, they are carried by a deep antipathy towards communism; but they have not thoroughly rejected all of the things that they imbibed under the communist regime.

They are often are wary and distrustful of the Church, for, expecting the best of it, they want to see only the most exalted of things in the Church and they demand them vehemently; and therefore they are not at all attracted or convinced by a weak profession of religion and of the Faith, but rather are inclined to believe in outstanding works of faith and charity.

1. In each diocese, where there are refugees, suitable priests are to designated who give spiritual care for such youth.

2. It will be most advantageous to select such priests among those who are of the same nationality and are well-acquainted with the psychology, language, and customs of young people and others who are held under the yoke of communism.

3. Those groups of Catholic youth and secular institutes are to be commended which, imbued by a spirit of charity and sacrifice and under the moderating prudence of priests, expend their time and resources on behalf of their unfortunate brethren in regions to which young people educated under communism have fled, so that the latter may recognize the Church in accordance with its true likeness.

Art. III – On the silent Church

In the Mystical Body of Christ we are all “members of one another” and continuous vessels in which the spiritual osmosis of the Christian life is fulfilled. “That there might be no schism in the body: but the members might be mutually careful one for another. And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it . . .” (I Cor 12: 25-26). Therefore Catholics living “behind the iron curtain” and oppressed by a severe persecution, should be aided by the prayers and other charitable works of Christians who have the enjoyment of their freedom, so that their faith may be strengthened and that their terrible suffering may be alleviated.

1. The cooling fires of charity towards the brethren living on the other side of the “iron curtain” should be stirred up, so that between those who carry the cross in regions oppressed by communism, and Christian faithful who live in the free world, there might always be a solidarity and a union of souls, and particularly a spirit of sacrifice and common prayer.

2. It is highly recommended that, day by day, throughout the Catholic world, at particular times, prayers be made for the oppressed Church; either the practice of the “Angelus Domini” or the recitation of the Symbol of Faith may be made, for this intention, or prayers after Mass may be recited for the same purpose.

3. The solemnly proclaimed sacrifice of the Most Holy Mass on behalf of the oppressed Church and its persecutors should be frequently celebrated in each parochial or religious church, in accordance with the form determined by the bishop. Furthermore, the faithful should be invited to have the sacrifice of the Mass celebrated for this purpose.

4. Every year, on the Friday of Holy Week, particular prayers are to be piously poured out for Christians who suffer unjust persecution as well as for the conversion of their persecutors.

5. Offerings also for the oppressed Church should be made in accordance with the form to be determined by the Episcopal Conference.

6. It is very expedient that documents and acts of persecutions in oppressed regions be written up by experts in accordance with sound judgment and critical reasoning, so that the wondrous examples of Christians who have suffered for the love of Christ in those regions may be gathered for the purpose of commemorating them in sacred preaching.

7. Priestly vocations for the oppressed Church should be fostered and prepared in accordance with prudent planning, under the leadership of the Holy See.

8. Bishops of free countries should ensure that public opinion be correctly and unceasingly informed regarding the persecution of the Church and, when the occasion arises, common and prompt intercessions should be made on behalf of the oppressed Church with the highest government authorities of the same countries, to induce them to actively defend religious liberty and human rights.

Text definitively approved in the General Session held on the days of February 5-13, 1962.

FOOTNOTES
1 Encyclical letter Divini Redemptoris, POPE PIUS XI, A.A.S., XXIX, 1937, n. 4, p. 66.
2 Ibid., p. 91.
3 Ibid., p. 69.
4 Ibid., p. 70.
5 Ibid., pp. 70-71.
6 Ibid., pp. 71-72.
7 Encyclical letter Mystici Coproris, POPE PIUS XII, A.A.S., XXXV, 1943, n. 7, p. 239.
8 Acts of the Apostles 20: 28.
9 Encyclical letter Mater et Magistra, POPE JOHN XXIII, A.A.S., XLIII, 1961, n. 8, p. 45.
10 Encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, POPE LEO XIII, Acta Leonis, vol. XI, 1891, p. 97 sqq.; Encyclical letter Quadragesimo Anno, POPE PIUS XI, A.A.S., XXIII, 1931, p. 179 sqq.; Radio address of POPE PIUS XII, June 1, 1941, A.A.S., XXXIII, 1941, p. 195 sqq.; Encyclical letter Mater et Magistra POPE JOHN XXIII, A.A.S., XLIII, 1961.
11 Encyclical letter Mater et Magistra, POPE JOHN XXIII, 1. c., p. 46.
12 Encyclical letter Divini Redemptoris, POPE PIUS XI, 1. c., p. 72. 9 ON THE CA