Vehementer Nos

Vehementer Nos is the powerful encyclical of Pope St. Pius X to the clergy and people of France. In 1905, the “Law ofSeparation” was passed, ending the detente between the Church and the French Republic that had controlled since the Revolution had finally died down. By this law, the Church was cut out of public life. This, Pope St. Pius knew, could not be allowed to stand without condemnation. The encyclical condemns the Law of Separation in particular, but it also makes general statements about the role of the Church in society: that she should not be separated from the body politic, but in fact should be honored and respected there. Pope St. Pius closes with a powerful appeal to the people of France to unite, to keep fighting, and to know that the Pope was in their corner. We pray that this translation, and the original, will serve to enrich the faithful's devotion to the teaching of Christ the King. Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!