how did benito musoloni gain support of the catholic church?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Mussolini took lesson from Constantine- state supports church in some things, church supports state/emperor in other things. Communists doctrine was against church's, Mussolini was against communists so catholic church figured Fascists were better bet for survival of church-- and Mussolini did respect church property and schools, Papal authority. The other enemy of Fascists was the Sicilian Mafia-- who were also disproved of by Catholic church-- and that was another enemy in common. The make the state work ideas depended some on church support-- and Fascist got it since sloppy work ethics were preached against as a sin harming church and state, collection plate skimp and tax cheating held up as sin. Simple enough common enemies and mutual benefits when working together, alternatives were worse for church. Hitler was also a catholic.