He sometimes uses translation of encyclicals which differ from those at the Vatican’s web site. For example, to quote from the essay:
Pope Pius XI says of social justice,
“Now it is of the very essence of social justice to demand from each individual all that is necessary for the common good” (Divini Redemptoris, no. 51).
The Vatican translation is:
Now it is of the very essence of social justice to demand for each individual all that is necessary for the common good.
This small error twists the statement to its opposite meaning. In another instance he cites another paragraph;
(Stork) Again, Pius XI:
It happens all too frequently, however, under the salary system, that individual employers are helpless to ensure justice unless, with a view to its practice, they organize institutions the object of which is to prevent competition incompatible with fair treatment for the workers. Where this is true, it is the duty of contractors and employers to support and promote such necessary organizations as normal instruments enabling them to fulfill their obligations of justice (Divini Redemptoris, no. 53).
but leaves off the last sentence:
But the laborers too must be mindful of their duty to love and deal fairly with their employers, and persuade themselves that there is no better means of safeguarding their own interests.
not the words the local community organizer would choose to employ. Ithink (opinion) this fellow and his message may be what Pius XI had in mind when writing paragraph 56 leading into 57 (emphasis added):
56. … It [the Catholic Press] should offer useful suggestions and warn against the insidious deceits with which Communists endeavor, all too successfully, to attract even men of good faith.
57. On this point We have already insisted in Our Allocution of May 12th of last year, but We believe it to be a duty of special urgency, Venerable Brethren, to call your attention to it once again. In the beginning Communism showed itself for what it was in all its perversity; but very soon it realized that it was thus alienating the people. It has therefore changed its tactics, and strives to entice the multitudes by trickery of various forms, hiding its real designs behind ideas that in themselves are good and attractive. Thus, aware of the universal desire for peace, the leaders of Communism pretend to be the most zealous promoters and propagandists in the movement for world amity. Yet at the same time they stir up a class-warfare which causes rivers of blood to flow, and, realizing that their system offers no internal guarantee of peace, they have recourse to unlimited armaments. Under various names which do not suggest Communism, they establish organizations and periodicals with the sole purpose of carrying their ideas into quarters otherwise inaccessible. They try perfidiously to worm their way even into professedly Catholic and religious organizations. Again, without receding an inch from their subversive principles, they invite Catholics to collaborate with them in the realm of so-called humanitarianism and charity; and at times even make proposals that are in perfect harmony with the Christian spirit and the doctrine of the Church. Elsewhere they carry their hypocrisy so far as to encourage the belief that Communism, in countries where faith and culture are more strongly entrenched, will assume another and much milder form. It will not interfere with the practice of religion. It will respect liberty of conscience. There are some even who refer to certain changes recently introduced into soviet legislation as a proof that Communism is about to abandon its program of war against God.
vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19031937_divini-redemptoris_en.html
On this earth, that won't happen. Belloc (sp?) assumed it would be a combination of guilds and the Catholic Church. Which was a very romantic view of humans and structures of power.
He did (and others) have a very, very true point. One that we as conservatives often forget.
People don't yearn for political freedom, they yearn for economic stability. If a man has assurance that he will be able to support himself and his family, he will give up his political freedom.
Don't believe me, look at the last election.