Joseph Stalin once asked a scornful question: "How many divisions has the Pope?" An answer was prepared last week. Pius XII decreed excommunication for Roman Catholics who "knowingly and freely . . . defend and spread Communism." Those Catholics who "enlist in or show favor to the Communist Party" and those who "publish, read or disseminate" Communist publications would be denied the sacraments.
The church was trying to reduce the ignorance and the pressure that had led millions into a double allegiance to Communism and Catholicism. It wanted to sharpen the issue...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
