Cardinal Mercier in the First World war : Belgium, Germany and the Catholic Church / Jan De Volder

Date :

Type : Livre / Book

Langue / Language : anglais / English

ISBN : 978-94-6270-164-9

ISBN : 94-6270-164-4

EAN : 9789462701649

Mercier -- Désiré-Joseph -- 1851-1926

Benoît -- XV -- 1854-1922 -- pape

Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Déportations de Belgique

Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Aspect religieux -- Église catholique

Cardinaux (religion) -- Belgique -- 1900-1945

Belgique -- 1914-1918 (Occupation allemande)

Classification Dewey : 922

Classification Dewey : 940.308 8282

Classification Dewey : 940.5

Collection : KADOC Studies on Religion, Culture and Society / editorial board Timothy Brittain-Catlin,... James Chappel,... Kim Christiaens,... [et al.] / Louvain : Leuven University Press , 2004-

Résumé / Abstract : "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.0Mercier?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?.0Through 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." [Source 4e de couv.]