Iniquis Afflictisque
Encyclopedia
Iniquis Afflictisque is an encyclical
of Pope Pius XI
promulgated on November 18, 1926, to denounce the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico
. It was one of three encyclicals concerning Mexico
, including Acerba Animi
(1932) and Firmissimam Constantiamque (1937). The Mexican government at the time was engaging in violently anticlerical persecution of the Church and the Pope harshly criticised the government for its abuses.
The Pope criticized the state's interference in matters of worship, outlawing of religious orders and the expropriation
of Church property. He noted that, "Priests are ... deprived of all civil and political rights. They are thus placed in the same class with criminals and the insane."
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
of Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
promulgated on November 18, 1926, to denounce the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico
Persecution of Christians in Mexico
The modern history of Mexico has often been characterized by deep conflicts between the government and the Catholic Church, sometimes including outright persecution of Catholics in Mexico.- Beginning of Anticlericalism and Persecution :...
. It was one of three encyclicals concerning Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, including Acerba Animi
Acerba Animi
Acerba Anima is an encyclical of Pope Pius XI promulgated on September, 29, 1932, to denounce the continued persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico. It was the second of three encyclicals concerning persecution Mexico, including Iniquis Afflictisque and Firmissimam Constantiamque...
(1932) and Firmissimam Constantiamque (1937). The Mexican government at the time was engaging in violently anticlerical persecution of the Church and the Pope harshly criticised the government for its abuses.
The Pope criticized the state's interference in matters of worship, outlawing of religious orders and the expropriation
Confiscation
Confiscation, from the Latin confiscatio 'joining to the fiscus, i.e. transfer to the treasury' is a legal seizure without compensation by a government or other public authority...
of Church property. He noted that, "Priests are ... deprived of all civil and political rights. They are thus placed in the same class with criminals and the insane."