Page 171 - Fascism: The Bloody Ideology Of Darwinsim

Fascism's Hatred Of Religion 171

compulsory again after an absence of half a century, and decreed that pictures
of the cross and the Virgin Mary should be hung in schools. 127 He took great
pains in all his speeches to come across as a religious, conservative figure, who
was devoted to national customs and traditions. In Mussolini's new view,
religion was an institution that owed the state its assistance in order that it
should grow stronger.
Mussolini's hypocritical piety was effective, in as much as he won the
support of the Church. His "conquest of the heart of the Church" was described
in the Encyclopedia of Modern Leaders:

The Church's support for the fascists began with the election of the
former Cardinal of Milan as Pope. In Pius XI's view, it was Mussolini
who would rescue Italy from anarchy. Relations with Mussolini, who
had once waged war against the Church in articles which he signed "A
true atheist," and the pro-fascist Pope were always directed towards
cooperation. The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano wrote in
February 1923, "Mussolini has been applauded as the man who will
restore the fortunes of Italy. This is a victory for religious traditions and
national civilization." Cardinal Vicaire called upon the public to support
the fascists in the same year. The Vatican withheld its approval of the
Catholic Partito Popolare's [People's Party] anti-fascist attitude and had
Don Sturzo removed from his post as party leader. In return for this,
Mussolini demonstrated his respect for the Church at every available
opportunity, staging a religious wedding ceremony for him and his
wife, whom he had married 12 years before, and having his children
baptized… In February 1929, he restored the Church's rights which had
been taken away in 1870 by signing the "Lateran Pact" in the name of
the King, with Cardinal Gaspari signing in the name of the Church.
Under this agreement, the Church won complete freedom of belief and
worship, and Catholicism became the official religion of the state. The
Vatican was officially recognized and awarded considerable benefits,
the Pope was recognized as head of the state and granted such rights as
compensation payments to the papacy, the recognition of Church
marriages, and religious lessons in primary schools. In return for these,
the Pope awarded Mussolini the order of the "Golden Spur" in 1932, and
described him as the "incomparable prime minister." 128
But, despite these theatrics, Mussolini was nevertheless an atheist. Once
having rallied Italian society behind him, he began to show his real aim, that
of completely doing away with religion. In the 1930s, religious doctrines were