Famiglia e nazione nella dottrina sociale cattolica nel lungo Novecento. Alla ricerca di una sintesi

Autore: Liviana Gazzetta
In: Genesis. XVIII/1, 2019
Acquista PDF Acquista PDF Acquista PDF
Abstract

Starting from the encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891) the Catholic Church engaged in a vivid theological elaboration on what constitutes “the proper social order”, in connection with Neomotism. However, “nation-building” was a central theme also before this turning point, with the Catholic Church’s extensive criticisms of National Liberalism. These theories changed progressively starting from the encyclical Ubi arcano Dei (1922) which traced a distinction between “exaggerated” and “correct” nationalism, in parallel with female discipline in sexuality and family, seen as essential for the «Christian restoration of society». The post-war transformations led to the overcoming of these theories and the acceptance of the principle of gender equality, but the Church stiffened its position on sexuality and reproduction, highlighting the sacredness of life. After the universalism expressed by John XXIII and Paul VI, the centrality of national identities returned center stage with pope Wojtyła.