865D.404/7
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia ( Engert ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that on October 13, 1936, there arrived in Addis Ababa Monsignor Gian Maria Emilio Castellani, Archbishop of Rhodes, in the capacity of Apostolic Visitant for Ethiopia on special mission.
[Page 320]The arrival of this emissary of the Pope is connected with the organization of the activities of the Roman Catholic Church in the new “Empire”. Already several months ago it became known here that the Pope had appointed a committee, consisting of a number of cardinals and other church dignitaries, to study the problems presented by the conquest and “annexation” of Ethiopia. Two phases of the situation are understood to have received special attention, viz (a) the ministering to the spiritual needs of the present and future Italian population in East Africa, and (b) the continuation and extension of missionary activities among the natives.
With respect to the white settlers it may be assumed that the system of ecclesiastic hierarchies in vogue in Italy will, as far as practicable, be instituted in Ethiopia. At present there are three Apostolic Vicariates and two Apostolic Prefectures in Ethiopia. The Vicars are titular bishops acting as delegates of the Apostolic See, while the Prefects are priests with similar powers but without episcopal rank. All are under the supervision of the “Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide” in Rome, which is said to be organized as a sort of “Colonial Office” to the Vatican.
I understand that in future all of Italian East Africa will be divided into about a dozen vicariates and prefectures, and that the Abyssinian hinterland which hitherto went with the prefecture of Djibouti will be attached to the nearest prefecture in Ethiopia.
Missionary work is to be carried out chiefly by the religious orders of the Salesians and Capuchins, both of whom have in the past been active in this part of the world. The French Lazarists who have been working in Ethiopia for nearly a century will probably not be permitted to continue. The religious orders are to be assisted by an organization called “Italica Gens” which will interest itself chiefly in the construction of hospitals and schools.
It seems certain that in their vision of an Italo-African empire the Church and State in Italy will find it convenient to march side by side. Having made his peace with the Pope the Duce—following the example of France—will be quick to seize every opportunity to use the Church for the strengthening of Italian political influence abroad. From personal observation I know that in Egypt and Palestine, for example, the Italian Government has during the past few years made great efforts to impress the Near East with this alleged powerful partnership between the Latin Church and Fascist Italy. And after the serious setbacks the Roman Catholic Church has recently suffered in Spain and Malta it may be assumed that it will eagerly welcome a chance for expansion elsewhere. As a significant indication of the [Page 321] spirit animating the collaboration between the spiritual and secular powers in Ethiopia the following utterance by Mgr. Castellani may be quoted:
“Italy is the country God has designated to bring to the world an ever higher civilization which will also redound to the glory of the Church. That is why God is always on our side, for he knows that Italy is worthy of assuming such a lofty mission. It will be the Empire of Rome that will carry the Cross of the Christ thanks to the stupendous work of the man with that wonderful personality—the Duce.”
It is as yet too early to speculate upon the effect the preponderant position of the Roman Catholic Church in Ethiopia will have upon American and other Protestant missionary activities. Although Marshal Graziani told a British missionary last June that inasmuch as Italy had proclaimed religious liberty his work could go on, there have been many indications that the Italian authorities are not very friendly disposed towards them. It seems likely that the general attitude of the Roman Church in other parts of the Near East, as well as in the Far East, will also obtain here, namely a spirit of opposition to American and British missionary endeavors not only on the ground that they are heretical, but for political reasons because they are known to have successfully spread Anglo-Saxon culture and the use of the English language.
Respectfully yours,