Pope Pius X and Russia

The relations between Pope Pius X and Russia were difficult, and the situation of Polish Catholics in Russia did not improve.

Religious freedom decrees in 1903 and 1905[edit]

Tsar Nicolas issued a decree on 22 February 1903, promising religious freedom for the Catholic Church, and, in 1905, promulgated a constitution, which included religious freedom.^[1]

Opposition to the Mariavites[edit]

A religious movement supported and financed by Russia, the Mariavites, began to gain ground among Polish Catholics, although the Pope had condemned it in 1907.^[2] In his encyclical Tribus circiter Pope Pius wrote to the episcopate, warning against national radicals and asking for peace and order.^[3]

1907 agreement[edit]

In 1907, Pius X signed an agreement that prescribed mandatory Russian history and literature courses in Catholic seminaries in Polish Russia in exchange for greater rights for Catholics.^[2]

Ea Semper[edit]

The publication of the Apostolic Letter Ea Semper, which dealt with the Eastern Rite Catholics in the United States, led to a number of defections to the Russian Orthodox Church in America.

Feeling betrayed by Russia[edit]

Toward the end of his life, Pius X felt betrayed by Russia, which had not eased the conditions of Polish Catholics. At his last public reception of the Diplomatic Corps, he publicly told the Russian ambassador, Aleksandr Nelidov:

We will not accept greetings or congratulations from Russia, which did not keep a single promise to us or to the Catholics in Russia.

As the surprised ambassador disagreed, the Pope rose from his throne and asked the ambassador to leave the room.^[4][5]

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

• Acta Apostolicae Sedis ( AAS), Roma, Vaticano 1922-1960
• L. Boudou, Le S. Siege et la Russie, Paris, 1890 [1]
• Owen Chadwick, The Christian Church in the Cold War, London 1993 [2]
• Handbuch der Kirchengeschichte [de], VII, Herder Freiburg, 1979, 355-380