Acerrimo Moerore
Encyclopedia
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
to the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
Episcopate after the jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
ing and torturing of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty. Pope Pius XII asks the Catholic bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of Hungary to pray to the Virgin Mary and to include in their prayers to her those who persecute them. They should also pray for those who live in hate and discord
Discord
Discord may refer to:* Dissonance Discord may also refer to:* Discord , an album and single released by the punk rock band Bomb Factory* Dischord Records, a punk and alternative record label...
, so that with divine assistance better and more peaceful times may descend over Hungary.
The Pope is alarmed over the jailing and torturing of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty, a violation of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and dignity, and an affront against religion itself. Not only the Catholics in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, decent people all over he world watch in horror. The Cardinal stood up for the freedom of he Church and the Hungarian people, and therefore all accusations are highly honourable. The Holy Father takes part in the continued suffering of the Hungarian bishops. Freedom is so important, that it may be necessary to sacrifice one’s life.
The Pope is quite aware of the great tribulations and sufferings, which the Church has to endure in Hungary. But he is also aware of the great loyalty
Loyalty
Loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause There are many aspects to...
and strength of its bishops, who are asked to combine courage with wisdom in this situation. He appeals to them to be united. He reminds them, that heir forefathers overcame similar problems. They knew that the Christian faith can be maligned and attacked, but never defeated. He appeals to them, to follow their examples. They will find the most wonderful consolation and help; the consolation to work for the peace and kingdom of Christ. His kingdom is not of this world, because of the mandate, to change behaviour and life, in order to reach through this earthly misery the heavenly kingdom. The Pope concludes his letter with the most cordial Apostolic Blessings to his brother bishops and their faithful, especially all those who are persecuted.