by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
In the tough battle between communists and the current order, the advantage is not with the Reds. I don’t believe in the military, economic, or any other kind of superiority of the communist bloc over ours. Nor do I think any Communist Party in the West can win over most public opinion through persuasion. Still, I do believe the communist threat is serious. But this seriousness comes from the difference between the naivety and lack of foresight among many anticommunist leaders and ordinary people, and the fanaticism, wisdom, agility, and skillful manipulation of public opinion by genuinely communist minorities.
I cannot stress enough how insensitive public opinion is to communist propaganda. From Marx to today, communists have only gained and maintained power through force, never persuasion. The more they expand their control, the more difficult it becomes to keep their growing number of victims under their grip. A giant built this way clearly has feet of clay. The larger it gets, the closer it is to collapsing. Therefore, I see it as a masterpiece of communist propaganda that it has diverted many anticommunists’ attention from this key point and convinced them that resisting communism has become useless against red power.
Those opposing communism must consistently resist this unnecessary pessimism.
To achieve this, I am sharing a reassuring document with readers. It shows that—contrary to popular belief—the modern working class isn’t a large pool of leftists just a few steps away from becoming a big group of communists.
The document does not specifically mention communism but focuses on progressivism. Still, it supports my thesis. Regardless of opinions about the link between progressivists and communists, it’s clear that Catholics who oppose progressivism are necessarily anticommunist.
* * *
As many in Brazil know, Most Rev. Guillermo Bolatti, bishop of Rosario, has been doing commendable work against progressive clergy and laity who have caused chaos in that significant Argentine diocese.
The distinguished prelate recently received a message from Argentina’s National Union of Countryside Construction Workers congratulating him on his action. The document’s signatories sent a copy to the Argentine TFP, which kindly forwarded to me. Here are a few excerpts:
First of all, we extend to you, with the utmost respect, on behalf of over 100,000 workers united in our organization across the country, our solidarity in the face of the severe lack of discipline, ethics, and, most importantly, forgetfulness by the so-called ‘resigned priests’ (progressive priests who revolted against their bishop).
We call it forgetfulness because they fail to respect the institution they belong to, which has taught seriousness, equanimity, and wisdom for thousands of years.
We use the phrase ‘lack of ethics’ because, after analyzing and evaluating the conduct of these false priests, we believe it is necessary to build special buildings for them to hold their ‘Red Masses’ or similar events. …
Finally, regarding their stance, they cause significant harm to the Holy Church. They behave like picket leaders entrenched inside their churches. They lack self-respect and have lost their dignity, seriousness, and the respect of the people. This is the view of most Catholics, not of the few boastful individuals who, like accomplices, support their absurd positions.
We have been with and will continue to stand by our beloved Church, as it was and for what it stood for. … We respect all worthy priests who wear cassocks because they are sincere, and Catholics regard them with or without cassocks. That is why we reject these gentlemen, traitors to our faith.
Without further ado, we take this opportunity to greet Your Excellency with the utmost respect and pray to God for your leadership success. Juan Farias, Secretary of Minutes; Luís L. Villaverde, Secretary General.