Among the judgements passed on Revolution and Counter-Revolution, that of Father Anastasio Gutiérrez, eminent canonist of the Claretian order and consultor of various Vatican departments, is profound and detailed. Among other things, he writes:
“Revolution and Counter-revolution is a masterly work whose teachings should be disseminated far and wide so as to penetrate the conscience, not only of all those who consider themselves truly Catholic, but I would say even more, of all other men of good will. In it, the latter would learn that salvation can be found only in Jesus Christ and His Church; the former would feel confirmed and fortified in their Faith and psychologically and spiritually forewarned and immunized against the cunning process that employs many of them as useful idiots or fellow travellers.
“Its analysis of the revolutionary process is impressive and revealing on account of its realism and profound understanding of history, from the end of the Middle Ages in decadence, which paved the way for the paganizing renaissance and the pseudo- reformation, thence for the terrible French Revolution, and, soon after, atheistic Communism.
“That historical analysis is not only external. The actions and reactions it deals with are also explained in light of the human psychology, both the individual psychology and the collective psychology of the masses. However, it is necessary to recognize that someone directs this profound and systematic de-Christianization. Man undoubtedly tends toward evil — pride and sensuality — but were not someone holding the reins of these disorderly tendencies and sagaciously co-ordinating them, they most probably would not have produced such a constant, skilful, and systematic action, which, tenaciously maintained, profits even from the ups and downs caused by the resistance and natural ‘reaction’ of the opposing forces.
“Revolution and Counter-Revolution also foresees, although using caution in its prognoses and by means of hypotheses, the next possible evolution of the revolutionary action and, in turn, that of the Counter-Revolution.
“The book abounds in perspicacious sociological, political, psychological, and evolutive insights and observations, not few of which are worthy of an anthology. Many of them outline the intelligent ‘tactics’ that favour the Revolution and those that may and should be used in a general counter-revolutionary ‘strategy’.
“In sum, I would dare to affirm that this is a prophetic work in the best sense of the word. It should be taught in the Church’s centres of higher education so that at least the élite classes become fully aware of a crushing reality about which, I believe, they do not have a clear notion. (…) This book is an authentic product of Christian wisdom”.150
Note:
150. P. Anastasio Gutiérrez C.M.F., Letter to Juan Miguel Montes, on 8 September 1993.