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Author Volder, Jan de, author

Title Cardinal Mercier in the First World War : Belgium, Germany and the Catholic Church / Jan De Volder
Published Leuven : Leuven University Press, [2018]

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Description 1 online resource
Series KADOC studies on religion, culture and society ; 23
KADOC studies on religion, culture, and society ; 23.
Contents Intro; INTRODUCTION; BELGIUM AND THE GERMANINVASION OF 1914; Belgium, a laboratory for Catholics in a liberal democracy; Catholic Party between conservatives and social Catholicism; Cardinal Mercier, Belgium's primate; The German invasion; A Protestant-Catholic Holy War ; The 1914 Conclave; Pope Benedict XV and the Belgian dilemma; MERCIER'S PASTORAL LETTER "PATRIOTISM AND ENDURANCE"; Cardinal Mercier and the fall of Antwerp; The Cardinal's choice is maturing; Patriotism and Endurance; Alternatives were possible; IN CONFLICT WITH THE OCCUPIER; The German reaction; Meanwhile in the Vatican
The nation's hero MERCIER AND BENEDICT XV; A new crisis; Banishment to Rome ; Letter to the bishops of Germany and Austria; Meeting with the pope; Triumph in Rome; Arm wrestling about the return; "At our return from Rome"; ARRESTS, DEPORTATIONS, AND STATE LOOTING; Arrests and executions; Dismantling of a nation; Resistance against the deportations; Towards a public papal condemnation?; Vatican pressure; THE FLEMISH QUESTION; Flamenpolitik; A Flemish university in Ghent; The Belgian administration split; Roman questions regarding Mercier's stance; Roman Realpolitik; HOLY WAR OR HOLY PEACE
A just war First search for a negotiated solution; Towards a compromise peace in 1916; Pope Benedict's peace proposal; "The bitterest hour of our life"; The end of the war; THE ALLIES' HEROOF A DIMINISHED BELGIUM; Towards a solution for the Roman question ; Belgium after the armistice; Triumphal tour of the United States and Canada; CONCLUSION; ANNEX. PATRIOTISM AND ENDURANCECHRISTMAS 1914; My very dear brethren; Patriotism; Endurance; Conclusion; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX OF PERSONS; COLOPHON
Summary Cardinal Désiré-Joseph Mercier, Archbishop of Malines, was the incarnation of the Belgian resistance against the German occupation during the First World War. With his famous pastoral letter of Christmas 1914"Patriotisme et Endurance" he reached a wide audience, and gained international influence and respect. Mercier's distinct patriotic stance clearly determined his views of national politics, especially of the 'Flemish question', and his conflict with the German occupier made him a hero of the Allies. The Germans did not always know how to handle this influential man of the Church. Pope Benedict XV did not always approve of the course of action adopted by the Belgian prelate. Whereas Mercier justified the war effort as a just cause in view of the restoration of Belgium's independence, the Pope feared that "this useless massacre" meant nothing but the "suicide of civilized Europe?.Through a critical analysis of the policies of Cardinal Mercier and Pope Benedict XV, this book sheds revealing light on the contrasting positions of Church leaders in the face of the Great War
Notes Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on April 10, 2019)
Subject Mercier, Désiré, 1851-1926.
Benedict XV, Pope, 1854-1922.
SUBJECT Benedict XV, Pope, 1854-1922 fast
Mercier, Désiré, 1851-1926 fast
Subject World War, 1914-1918 -- Religious aspects -- Catholic Church.
Cardinals -- Belgium -- Biography
World War, 1914-1918 -- Underground movements -- Belgium
RELIGION -- Christian Church -- History.
War -- Religious aspects
Cardinals
War -- Underground movements
SUBJECT Belgium -- History -- German occupation, 1914-1918. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85012987
Subject Belgium
Genre/Form Biographies
History
Biographies.
Biographies.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9789461662729
9461662726