From Obscurity to Detonation

As expected, our first installment revisiting Mit brennender Sorge had an explosive effect. It is likely that few of our readers, if any, (and we include ourselves, originally) had ever heard the encyclical presented this way, backed up by rigorous research, sound methodology and the critical note from then Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli (later Pope Pius XII). The latter which is the only approved commentary of the much-bandied about encyclical, which is perhaps more misunderstood than any other contemporary ecclesiastical document.>Again, we are altogether indebted to the original author, Mr. Pierre Moreau, a Belgian born Catholic, Walloon division veteran and tireless researcher. His clear writing and analysis remains more relevant than ever, given the same forces are in control in Western societies as they were then. We shudder to think how long this work languished in obscurity, only accessible to small circles of French speakers — and niche ones at that!

Originally published in The Journal of American Reform. Read original article