Between Wolves and Sheep, a New Relationship – Folha de S. Paulo, November 1, 1970

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

As more events unfold, they increasingly disturb a segment of Catholic opinion that I believe constitutes the vast majority.

Such bewilderment doesn’t come only from the actions or omissions of many small, medium, and high-ranking authorities in the sacred hierarchy. It extends even further.

I wish someone would convince me that the crystal-clear facts I base this statement on are false.

*  *  *

I am referring to what has happened in Chile for the whole world to see. The tragedy is complete. They’ve legally decided that the country will be governed by a Marxist president who will immediately start implementing a communist regime.

All the newspapers are covering this story. Most — at least the ones I’ve read — use a perfectly vague euphemism to describe it: they talk about a “march toward socialism” instead of a “march toward communism.” Of course, this helps Allende, since less-informed readers might think that Chile’s new president will not steer it toward communism but toward a milder form of socialism.

In reality, such an insinuation is inconsistent. If we admit that the elected candidate will lead his country toward socialism, we must assume that Chile is not yet under a socialist regime because no one can lead a nation to a place it already is. As is well known—and as my friend Fábio Xavier da Silveira brilliantly demonstrated in his book Frei, the Chilean Kerensky—President Frei has already placed Chile under a socialist regime. Thus, the claim that Allende will begin his country’s march toward socialism can only mean that he will not lead it to the gentle socialism of the Christian Democrats but to the fiery Marxist socialism of the party to which “comrade” Allende belongs, i.e., communism. Therefore, Chile will start an unstoppable march toward this goal. This is, in fact, what Allende’s promises to voters imply. Will it happen gradually? Step by step? The pace matters little. What matters is that someone is heading toward inevitable agony. Whether it will be long or short is beside the point because it will inevitably end in death.

Everything I just said can be verified by the facts published in the newspapers. Anyone who doubts this only needs to read them carefully. Only a few extreme Christian-Democrat enthusiasts and far-left communist-progressives would deny it. No one else.

I do not want to classify the Chilean ecclesiastical hierarchy into either of these groups, let alone His Holiness Paul VI. I am compelled to admit that both he and they see and understand what everyone else sees and understands.

*  *   *

So, how could one not be disconcerted? A single word from the Holy Father would have been enough for the Chilean bishops to discourage Catholics from voting for the Marxist candidate. Such a word could have prevented Allende’s victory. The Church’s electoral influence might have overcome his 1.4% lead over the nationalist candidate Alessandri. History will say that the Holy Father did not speak this word, so Allende won the election with the scandalous “placet” of the Cardinal Archbishop of Santiago. It is painful to say, but it is clear.

After the election results, the Chilean nation had only one option. Through the Episcopate, the Holy Father had to advise the Christian Democrat representatives not to vote for the Marxist candidate during the Congress ratification. History will note that Paul VI remained silent even during this crisis. Even before Alessandri’s resignation, the Christian Democrats had already made a pact with the communists in full view of the entire world, guaranteeing their support for the Marxist candidate.

As the latter won in Congress and officially announced that Chile would begin its “via dolorosa” toward communism in a few days, Cardinal Silva Henriquez, Archbishop of Santiago, was among the first to visit the future president and assure him of the hierarchy’s support. He also conveyed Pope Paul VI’s special greetings and wishes for success. The Chilean cardinal also told the press that the duty of Christians at this moment is to do everything in their power to ensure the new government’s success.

Considering all this, a question naturally arises. I will ask it as gently as I can. Did Paul VI see Allende’s victory without feeling concern or discomfort from the very start? What has happened suggests that he expected it but showed no signs of worry or aversion.

The facts are clear and speak for themselves.

At this point, I can’t help but ask myself another question: Would Paul VI adopt this fatal attitude only in Chile, or also in other parts of Latin America, especially Brazil? If so, what future awaits us?

*  *   *

The facts I rely on are so clear that they can’t be overshadowed by empty protests, resentful acts of reparation that lack real basis, publicity stunts, or whispering campaigns.

I have been a Roman Catholic my whole life and am more convinced, energized, and enthusiastic today than ever before. I pray, by the grace of God and Our Lady’s intercession, to stay this way until my last breath. For this reason, I wholeheartedly honor the Supreme Pontiff and the Holy See with all the reverence, love, and obedience I owe them under the doctrine and laws of the Church.

However, I know that when faced with very clear facts, I can’t deny them or ignore their consequences.

I also understand that even when the undeniable facts I’ve just listed and analyzed are accepted, everything the Church teaches about the Supreme Pontiff’s infallibility and supreme authority remains the same. Therefore, as a Catholic, I am at peace with my conscience when dealing with this sad and sensitive issue.

*  *   *

Paul VI

Does Paul VI want a “modus vivendi” with communism for Latin America? I wonder… and as I wonder, a fable by La Fontaine comes to mind. Unfortunately, it is one of the most forgotten but also most timely. In fact, Brigadier Agemar da Rocha Santos briefly mentioned it when, in a recent speech, he alluded to the irenic illusions of some sectors of national opinion.

Here is Jean de La Fontaine’s fable:

The Wolves and the Sheep

After a thousand years and more of declared war,
The Wolves made peace with the Sheep.
It seemed to benefit both sides:
For while the Wolves devoured many stray beasts,
The Shepherds made many coats from wolf pelts.
Neither side could enjoy their goods without fear—
No freedom for grazing, no freedom for hunting.
So peace was declared: hostages were exchanged—
The Wolves gave their cubs, the Sheep gave their Dogs.
The exchange was done formally, with commissioners.
But after some time, the young wolves grew up,
Became full-fledged killers, hungry for blood.
They waited until the Shepherds were away,
Strangled the fattest lambs,
Carried them off into the woods.
They had secretly warned their kin.
The Dogs, trusting the Wolves,
Were strangled in their sleep—
So quickly they barely felt it.
Everything was torn apart; not one escaped.

From this we may conclude:
We must wage constant war against the wicked.
Peace is good, I agree—
But what use is it
With enemies who have no faith?

This enlightening fable shows that any alliance between the Church and communism cannot be a “modus vivendi,” but— as I once wrote—a “modus moriendi.”