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 PIUSVEREIN

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PIUSVEREIN

recent Constitution relates to the suburbicarian sees.

The Catholic hierarchy has greatly increased in numbers during these first years of the pontificate of Pius X, in which twent>--eight new dioceses have been created, mostly in the United States, Brazil, and the Philippine Islands; also one abbey nuUius, 16 vica- riates Apostolic, and 15 prefectures Apostolic.

Leo XIII brought the social question within the range of ecclesiastical acti^nty. Pius X, also, wishes the Church to co-operate, or rather to play a leading part in the solution of the social question; his views on this subject were formulated in a syllabus of nine- teen propositions, taken from different Encyclicals and other Acts of Leo XIII, and published in a Motu Proprio (IS Dec, 1903), especially for the guidance of Italy, where the social question was a thorny one at the beginning of his pontificate. He sought especially to repress certain tendencies leaning towards Social- ism and promoting a spirit of insubordination to eccle- siastical authority. As a result of ever increasing divergencies, the "Opera dei Congressi", the great association of the Catholics of Italy, was dissolved. At once, however, the Encyclical "II fermo propo- sito" (11 June, 1905) brought about the formation of a new organization consisting of three great unions, the Popolare, the Economica, and the Elettorale. The firmness of Pius X obtained the elimination of, at least, the most quarrelsome elements, making it pos- sible now for CathoUc social action to prosper, al- though some friction stiU remains. The desire of Pius X is for t he economical work t o be avowedly Cat h- olic, as he expressed it in a memorable letter to Count Medolago-Albani. In France, also, the Sillon, after promising well, had taken a turn that was little reassur- ing to orthodoxy; and dangers in this connexion were made manifest in the Encychcal "Xotre charge apos- tolique" (15 Aug., 1910), in which the Sillonists were ordered to place their organizations under the author- ity of the bishops.

In its relations with Governments, the pontificate of Pius X has had to carry on painful struggles. In France the pope had inherited quarrels and menaces. The "Nobis nominavit" question was settled through the condescension of the pope; but the matter of the appointment of bishops proposed by the Government, the visit of the president to the King of Italy, with the subsequent note of protestation, and the resignation of two French bishops, which was desired by the Holy See, became pretexts for the Government at Paris to break off diplomatic relations with the Court of Rome. Meanwhile the law of Separation had been already prepared, despoiling the Church of France, and also prescribing for the Church a constitution which, if not openly contrary to her nature, was at least full of danger to her. Pius X, paying no attention to the counsels of short-sighted opportunism, firmly refused his consent to the formation of the associations cultu- elles. The separation brought some freedom to the French Church, especially in the matter of the selec- tion of its pastors. Pius X, not looking for reprisals, still recognizes the French right of protectorate over Catholics in the East. Some phrases of the Encyclical "Edita; Siepe", written on the occasion of the cen- tenary of St. Charles, were misinterpreted by Prot- estants, especially in Germany, and Pius X made a declaration in refutation of them, without belittling the authority of his high office. At present (Dec, 1910) complications are feared in Spain, as, also, sep- aration and persecution in Portugal: Pius X has al- ready taken opportune measures. The new Govern- ment of Turkey has sent an ambassador to the Pope. The relations of the Holy See with the republics of Latin America are good. The delegations to Chile and to the Argentine Republic were raised to the rank of intemuntiatures. and an Apostolic Delegate was sent to Central America.

Naturally, the solicitude of Pius X extends to his own habitation, and he has done a great deal of work of restoration in the Vatican, for example, in the quar- ters of the cardinal-secretary of State, the new palace for employees, the new picture-gallery, the Specola, etc Finally, we must not forget his generous charity in public misfortunes: during the great earthquakes of Calabria, he asked for the assistance of Catholics throughout the world, with the result that they con- tributed, at the time of the last earthquake, nearly 7,000,000 francs, which served to supply the wants of those in need, and to build churches, schools, etc. His charity was proportionately no less on the occasion of the eruption of Vesuvius, and of other disasters out- side of Italy (Portugal and Ireland). In few years Pius X has secured great, practical, and lasting results in the interest of Catholic doctrine and discipline, and that in the face of great difficulties of all kinds. Even non-Catholics recognize his apostolic spirit, his strength of character, the precision of his decisions, and his pursuit of a clear and explicit programme.

Cf. the biographies by M.^kchesan (Einsiedein, 1908) trans- lated into various languages: de Wa.4L, tr. Berg (Milwau- kee, 1904); D.^elu IBergamo. 1906); Brunner (Ratisbon. 1908); ScH.MtDUN- (1903); Gucomello, Pio X e la cilia e diocesi di Padom (Padua. 1908); Life of Pope Pius X (with sketch of Pope Leo XIII, and a historj' of the conclave) with preface by C.^RDiN.^L Gibbons (Xew York, 1904); L'opera di Pio X in La Civilld Cattolica. IV (1908), 513; .4c(a Pii PP. X and Acta Apostolicce Sedis (Vatican press),

U. Benigni.

Piusverein, the name given to Catholic associa- tions in various countries of Europe.

I. The Pius Association of Germant, named after Pius IX, was founded at Mainz in 1S48 by the cathedral canon, Adam Franz Lennig (d. 1866), and Professor Caspar Riffel (d. 18.56 ), to organize the Cath- ohcs of Germany in defence of their religious freedom and civil rights. The platform and by-laws were pub- lished in the "Katholik" (Mainz, 1848). The organ- izers of the association called a congress of the Catho- lic societies of Germany which met at Mainz, 3-6 October, 1848. At this assembly 38 societies were represented, and all the Catholic associations of Ger- many founded to protect religious interests were united into the "Catholic Association of Germany". The annual congresses of this association led to other efficient organizations; in 1848 the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Association of St. Elizabeth; in 1849 the Association of St. Boniface; in 1850 the Society for Christian Art; in 1851 the C;itholic Jour- neymen's Union; these assemblies were the precursors of the "General Congress of the Catholics of Ger- many" that is held annually.

II. The Pius Association of Switzerland. — This was founded in 1855 by Count Theodore Scherer- Boccard who remained at its head until his death (d. 1885). Its aim is to develop and centralize Catholic associational life in Switzerland. It is directed by two central committees, and the general meetings are held nearly even,- year; in addition, there are also cantonal and district assemblies. Many of the local associa- tions have branches for women. Since 1899 the so- ciety was called the "Swiss Catholic Association"; it then contained 225 groups with 35,000 members. On 22 November, 1904, it combined with the "United Societies of Catholic Men and Workinginen" and the "Federation Romande" to form the "Swiss Catholic Peoples L^nion". (See the "Yearbook" of the Union, Stans, 1907.)

III. The Pius Association for Promoting the Catholic Press of Austria, named after Pius X, was founded at the Fifth Catholic Congress held at \'ienna in 1905 after the presentation of a convincing report by the Jesuit, Father Victor Kolb, in order to offset the demoralizing Liberal daily Press with an equally able Christian Press. This end was to be gained largely by developing the Catholic daily newspapers of