Divini Redemptoris (1937)

On March 19, 1937, Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Divini Redemptoris in response to the rapid spread of atheistic Communism and the violence flowing from it. He described Communism as a system that denies God, reshapes society without reference to divine law, and therefore assaults the family, property, and the dignity of the human person. Echoing Scripture’s sober diagnosis of unbelief—“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1)—the encyclical argued that rejecting God does not liberate humanity but enslaves it to coercion, propaganda, and fear.

Pius XI lamented moral and political negligence, warning, “There would be neither Socialism nor Communism today if the rulers of the nations had not scorned the teachings and material warnings of the Church.” His appeal was not merely political but spiritual: leaders and citizens alike were called to repentance, to personal integrity, and to social responsibility shaped by truth. He urged justice rooted in charity, insisting that care for the poor must never be separated from the rights of conscience, the sanctity of marriage, and the duty to worship God.

Persecution and Witness: Mexico, Russia, Spain

The encyclical was written in a time of intensifying persecution. In Mexico, the aftermath of anti-clerical laws and the Cristero conflict left a trail of closed churches, exiled clergy, and lay believers who chose faithfulness at great cost. In Soviet Russia, militant atheism sought to erase Christianity through imprisonment, forced labor, and the steady pressure of the state against worship and family life. In Spain, the civil strife of the 1930s brought targeted violence against priests, religious, and committed laypeople, many of whom faced death rather than deny Christ.

Across these places, the heroism praised was often quiet: parents teaching children to pray, pastors refusing to abandon their flocks, believers practicing mercy when hatred was fashionable. The encyclical held up courageous faith and reminded Christians that Christ’s reign is not a slogan but a lived obedience. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Call to Renewal

Divini Redemptoris urged a renewed commitment to Christ’s social lordship: homes strengthened, workers treated justly, the poor served personally, and the Church’s teaching honored rather than ignored. Its enduring message is that lasting reform begins with worship, repentance, and charity grounded in truth.