II: Why Catholic Action? The Necessity in Our Times

Now that we have went over the definition of Catholic Action, it is appropriate to consider the necessity of Catholic Action.

There are forms of both traditionalism and liberalism who scoff at the idea of lay Catholic Action. Some believe in a form of clericalism that sees the hierarchy and clerics as the only active agents in spreading the Catholic Faith. Others believe in a form of liberalism that so divides the religious and social dimensions of men that social action on behalf of the Church seems sacrilegious. Still others claim that this form of Catholic Action is a novelty and can be ignored.

So why did Catholic Action arise in its current form? There had always been a lay Apostolate, but why was there suddenly a necessity for laymen to organize themselves into groups and carry out this mission – something which seems like a novelty of the last two centuries?

Pius XI gives us the answer in his letter to Cardinal Segura:

You clearly see the manner of times in which we are living…On the one hand, we deplore a society growing ever more pagan, wherein the light of the Catholic faith is growing faint in souls…On the other hand, we grieve because the clergy is quite insufficient to cope with the necessities and needs of our times…Hence it is necessary that all men be apostles; it is necessary that the Catholic laity do not stand idle, but be united with the ecclesiastical Hierarchy…and take its share in the holy warfare…

Here we see two primary reasons given: First, the forces of secularism that have recently arisen against the Catholic Faith. Second, the inadequacy of the clergy to fight this on their own.

In modernity, the enemies of the Catholic faith have arisen in greater numbers than at any time before. But here’s what’s different: the enemies of the faith have mobilized not only intellectuals and powerful men, but also ordinary people in their fight against the Church.

Think about it this way: The Hierarchy has, at it were, three militias. Throughout history, the Hierarchy has called upon the clergy and religious frequently to fight their battles. Yet, in these latter days, the Hierarchy has found it necessary to mobilize and organize its most extensive unit – the laity. When there is the greatest danger to the Church, the Church calls her largest militia.

Therefore, it shouldn’t concern us that the current form of the lay apostolate in Catholic Action looks different than in previous ages. Of course it does. Yet, the reason for this does not have to do with any novelty of doctrine, but a novelty of situation. We are in a dire situation and such a situation calls for the strongest and most extreme measures to be taken.

The second reason is more obvious today than it was a century ago – the inadequacy of the clergy to handle this alone. The clergy and religious are not able to oppose these forces within society on their own. The extent of the problem is far greater than the abilities of the clergy.

Christian morality is attacked on all sides and in all places. How do we expect the clergy to step into each of these roles? It’s impossible. The Church has understood this and recognized the need for organized Catholic Action to oppose these forces in all the places where they arise.

Beyond these two reasons explicitly given by Pius XI, we can identify a third. Historically, the state supported and protected the Church. The state recognized that it ought to be a protector of the rights and liberties of the Church. Unfortunately, today this is no longer the case.

As Fr. Liberatore wrote:

The State of to-day has substituted the sovereignty of man for that of God. It has separated itself from the Church and gives her no more its aid. In such a situation nothing remains for the Church, in the civil order, save the support of the Catholic laity.

In summary, Catholic Action arose out of necessity: organized secularism mobilized the masses against the Church, the clergy alone cannot fight on every front, and the state no longer protects the Church’s interests. In response, the Church must mobilize her largest force – the laity.