Diplomats and Missionaries: The Role Played by the German Embassies in Moscow and Rome in the Relations between Russia and the Vatican from 1921 to 1929

• Published in: The Catholic historical review Vol. 92; no. 1; pp. 25 - 45
• Main Author: Becker, Winfried
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC The Catholic University of America 01.01.2006; The Catholic University of America Press; Catholic University of America Press
• Subjects: 19th-20th century; Catholic church; Catholicism; Christian missionaries; Christianity; Church unions; Diplomatic & consular services; Diplomats; Embassies; Embassy buildings; European history; German; History; History and sciences of religions; International relations; Missionaries; Missions; Modern period; Natural history; Orthodox Church; Polish; Political aspects; Popes; Priests; Religion; Religious aspects; Religious organizations; Roles; Roman Catholic Church; Italy; Germany; Russia; Rome Italy; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics > USSR
• ISSN: 0008-8080; 1534-0708; 1534-0708
• DOI: 10.1353/cat.2006.0082

The radical changes undergone by the Church in 1917/18, and the course subsequently taken by religious affairs in Russia, had an impact on Europe that has not up to now been given the attention it deserves. The loss of the Polish and Baltic regions resulted in the number of Catholics falling in Russia from 15 to 1.6 millions, but the radical new winds of change aroused fresh hopes of a union between the Catholic and Orthodox faiths. Here, Becker discusses the role played by the German Embassies in the Moscow and Rome in the relation between Russia and the Vatican from 1921 to 1929.