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Holy War: The Untold Story of Catholic Italy's Crusade Against the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
In 1935, Fascist Italy invaded the sovereign state of Ethiopia--a war of conquest that triggered a chain of events culminating in the Second World War. In this stunning and highly original tale of two Churches, historian Ian Campbell brings a whole new perspective to the story, revealing that bishops of the Italian Catholic Church facilitated the invasion by sanctifying it as a crusade against the world's second-oldest national Church. Cardinals and archbishops rallied the support of Catholic Italy for Il Duce's invading armies by denouncing Ethiopian Christians as heretics and schismatics and announcing that the onslaught was an assignment from God.
Campbell marshals evidence from three decades of research to expose the martyrdom of thousands of clergy of the venerable Ethiopian Church, the burning and looting of hundreds of Ethiopia's ancient monasteries and churches, and the instigation and arming of a jihad against Ethiopian Christendom, the likes of which had not been seen since the Middle Ages.
Finally, Holy War traces how, after Italy's surrender to the Allies, the horrors of this pogrom were swept under the carpet of history, and the leading culprits put on the road to sainthood.
Campbell marshals evidence from three decades of research to expose the martyrdom of thousands of clergy of the venerable Ethiopian Church, the burning and looting of hundreds of Ethiopia's ancient monasteries and churches, and the instigation and arming of a jihad against Ethiopian Christendom, the likes of which had not been seen since the Middle Ages.
Finally, Holy War traces how, after Italy's surrender to the Allies, the horrors of this pogrom were swept under the carpet of history, and the leading culprits put on the road to sainthood.
617 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2021
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January 22, 2026
A very fine fine book but one that left unsatisfied because I was hoping for something along the lines of 'The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe' by David I. Kertzer, that would use the Vatican's own archives to shine a light on the support or guidance the 'Catholic Church' as in the Vatican and the pope gave to the Italian Church via its bishop's in their support of Mussolini's war against Ethiopia. That is not what we get and it is possible there is nothing there but as Kertzer (or any good historian writing history from the archives) has demonstrated it is question of knowing what to look for and knowing how even absence can speak volumes.
What we get is an excellent history of the Italian barbarities in Ethiopia - but again while what we get will almost certainly be news to most readers it is curiously without context both in terms of Italy's behavior in Libya and other colonies and the general discomfort the other imperial colonial powers in Africa, most particularly the UK but also France, Belgium and probably Portugal (I don't know how much Portugal was consulted on general African colonial matters), about highlighting and giving prominence to the 'crimes' of other white colonials over African peoples. It was too easy for condemnation to backfire (see my footnote *1 below). It might, for English readers, have made use of texts like 'Waugh in Abyssinia' published after Evelyn Waugh visited the country in 1936 to give a broader understanding to the way the Italian invasion was portrayed.
The author might have found interesting support for his very appalled and justified condemnation of the Vatican's support for Mussolini's invasion if he, when describing how the the image of 'Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii' was dispatched to accompany the invading Italian troops seen off by the archbishop of Naples Cardinal Ascalesi, if he had understood that the image came from a 'Pontifical shrine' - one that is under the direct control of the Vatican/Pope. The decision to send the image abroad was not a decision of only Italian prelate but had to have the agreement of the Vatican - i.e. the pope.
Equally it would have been worthwhile to know what the apostolic visitor Cardinal archbishop Castellani reported to the Vatican and what instructions the Vatican gave him. Equally more information on how the catholic hierarchies in countries like France and the UK responded to the invasion and what guidance, if any, they asked or received.
What the book provides is a wonderful account of the barbarous way the Italians treated the clergy of the Ethiopian Church and the Ethiopian people in general (Ian Campbell has written a definitive work on the worst episodes 'The Addis Ababa Massacre: Italy's National Shame'). But the author ends up with a 'parsons egg' of a book.
The root problem is that while everyone knows about German atrocities in WWII no one knows or has even heard of Italy's equally shameful actions not only Ethiopia but in the Balkans, though to be fair to Mr. Campbell he does mention them. It is only very recently that books such as 'The Italian Executioners: The Genocide of the Jews of Italy' by Simon Levis Sullam has begun to challenge the post WWII legend that the Italians were 'different' in their behavior to the Germans (I strongly recommend you read: https://www.theguardian.com/education...). Mr. Campbell has written an excellent account of the tawdry story of Italian behavior in Ethiopia but because it is unknown to everyone in has prevented him from properly researching and placing in context the full story of the catholic church's complicity. He has provided all sorts of shocking examples and if Cardinal Schuster is advanced from beatified to sainthood there should be vocal protest from around the world condemning it.
This is a book well worth reading but ultimately frustrating because it could have provided even more powerful evidence of the Vatican's failure in the 20th century to look out for anyone except itself.
*1 In 1918 the UK government published a white paper concerning German behavior in Namibia (then German South West Africa). It is known as the "Blue Book" (officially titled Report on the Natives of South-West Africa and their Treatment by Germany). Published just before the end of World War I, it was a damning indictment of German colonial rule, particularly the atrocities committed during the 1904–1908 genocide of the Herero and Nama people. But within ten years of its release, the British government ordered the destruction of all copies of the "Blue Book," largely because it contained material that could be used to critique British colonial violence elsewhere.
What we get is an excellent history of the Italian barbarities in Ethiopia - but again while what we get will almost certainly be news to most readers it is curiously without context both in terms of Italy's behavior in Libya and other colonies and the general discomfort the other imperial colonial powers in Africa, most particularly the UK but also France, Belgium and probably Portugal (I don't know how much Portugal was consulted on general African colonial matters), about highlighting and giving prominence to the 'crimes' of other white colonials over African peoples. It was too easy for condemnation to backfire (see my footnote *1 below). It might, for English readers, have made use of texts like 'Waugh in Abyssinia' published after Evelyn Waugh visited the country in 1936 to give a broader understanding to the way the Italian invasion was portrayed.
The author might have found interesting support for his very appalled and justified condemnation of the Vatican's support for Mussolini's invasion if he, when describing how the the image of 'Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii' was dispatched to accompany the invading Italian troops seen off by the archbishop of Naples Cardinal Ascalesi, if he had understood that the image came from a 'Pontifical shrine' - one that is under the direct control of the Vatican/Pope. The decision to send the image abroad was not a decision of only Italian prelate but had to have the agreement of the Vatican - i.e. the pope.
Equally it would have been worthwhile to know what the apostolic visitor Cardinal archbishop Castellani reported to the Vatican and what instructions the Vatican gave him. Equally more information on how the catholic hierarchies in countries like France and the UK responded to the invasion and what guidance, if any, they asked or received.
What the book provides is a wonderful account of the barbarous way the Italians treated the clergy of the Ethiopian Church and the Ethiopian people in general (Ian Campbell has written a definitive work on the worst episodes 'The Addis Ababa Massacre: Italy's National Shame'). But the author ends up with a 'parsons egg' of a book.
The root problem is that while everyone knows about German atrocities in WWII no one knows or has even heard of Italy's equally shameful actions not only Ethiopia but in the Balkans, though to be fair to Mr. Campbell he does mention them. It is only very recently that books such as 'The Italian Executioners: The Genocide of the Jews of Italy' by Simon Levis Sullam has begun to challenge the post WWII legend that the Italians were 'different' in their behavior to the Germans (I strongly recommend you read: https://www.theguardian.com/education...). Mr. Campbell has written an excellent account of the tawdry story of Italian behavior in Ethiopia but because it is unknown to everyone in has prevented him from properly researching and placing in context the full story of the catholic church's complicity. He has provided all sorts of shocking examples and if Cardinal Schuster is advanced from beatified to sainthood there should be vocal protest from around the world condemning it.
This is a book well worth reading but ultimately frustrating because it could have provided even more powerful evidence of the Vatican's failure in the 20th century to look out for anyone except itself.
*1 In 1918 the UK government published a white paper concerning German behavior in Namibia (then German South West Africa). It is known as the "Blue Book" (officially titled Report on the Natives of South-West Africa and their Treatment by Germany). Published just before the end of World War I, it was a damning indictment of German colonial rule, particularly the atrocities committed during the 1904–1908 genocide of the Herero and Nama people. But within ten years of its release, the British government ordered the destruction of all copies of the "Blue Book," largely because it contained material that could be used to critique British colonial violence elsewhere.
February 9, 2023
Back in my Seminary days I needed to get one of those jobs that educational institutions offer to help students pay their way. One of those jobs was as a security guard. Late at night into the morning we would sit at a desk buzzing people in; as well as walking a circuit around the seminary once about every hour.
On one of these rounds in mid January I came across the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrating Orthodox Christmas (the Orthodox Christmas and Easter always comes later than the Protestant/Roman Catholic Calendar) in James Chapel. I was informed that the bishop for the American Hemisphere of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was celebrating. It was a lively celebration with what many religious folks would call "smells and bells". A phrase used to describe High Church practices of Incense and all sorts of other rituals not found in less formal worship places. Later, after the crowded service was over I was invited to join these folks in an incredible meal in our refectory.
I mention all this because 'Holy War: The Untold Story of Catholic Italy's Crusade Against the Ethiopian Orthodox Church' Brought back a fond memory of that moment. At the time I remembered wondering about this wonderful Ethiopian meal. My severely limited perspective on Ethiopia was t.v. commercials of children with with distended bellies suffering from starvation. That meal that night forced to me to reevaluate all my presumptions.
Campbell's book helps explain how Ethiopia found itself in such a dreadful state. Blame it on Mussolini and the Roman Catholic Church. When the Church signed onto Mussolini's Crusade against their fellow Ethiopian followers of our Savior Jesus Christ - they managed to destroy the schools and the hospitals and many other civil projects that Haile Selassie I, had implemented to improve the lot of the Ethiopians. After World War II was over the Allied powers did little to restore Ethiopia to it's former glory. Ethiopia never received the support that European nations received in rebuilding.
Campbell's book also goes into excruciating detail on how this crusade was carried out; the chemical gassing, the mass executions, the deliberate targeting of the brightest leadership in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as well as the looting of national treasures. In regard to that last bit about the national treasures - most of those treasure have never been returned. This despite a treaty that promised Italy would return the treasures. Campbell gives us a clue about where we might find some of those treasures. When one of our former presidents referred to Africa nations as "shithole nations" he failed to address how those nations acquired that status.
And then there was this quote from Haile Selassie given at the end of the book.
"How many are the young me, the women, the priests and monks who the Italians pitilessly massacred during those years? . . . The blood and bones of those who were killed with spades and pickaxes, pierced with bayonets, clubbed and stoned, of those who were burned alive in their homes with their little children, of those who perished of hunger and thirst inprison, have been crying for justice. . . .
When we say let us rejoice with our hearts, let not our rejoicing be in any other way but in the spirit of Christ. Do not return evil for evil. Do not indulge in the atrocities with the enemy has been practicing in his usual way, even to the last. Take care not to spoil the good name of Ethiopia by acts which are worthy of the enemy."
If that's what it means to be a citizen of a "shithole nation"; let me be such a citizen.
Finally, Campbell's book helped me piece together a bit of modern church history. Pius XI, and his successor Pius XII both for a time worked in league with Mussolini; until they didn't. But, the Roman Catholic Church never atoned for this tragic sin. Pius XII died in October of 1958 at which time the next pope was John XXIII. John XXIII was the pope who initiated Vatican II; which I always thought of as a bright shining moment in the Roman Catholic Church. It was a time when the pendulum swung the other way. But Pope John XXIII only lived five years - and forces in the Roman Catholic Church immediately did everything they could to erase his legacy. They didn't succeed - and yet in light of the legacy of the atrocity of Ethiopia and partnership with Mussolini Vatican II feels a bit paltry.
Read this book as a warning about the choices we can make. Jesus put it best when he said, "You will know them by their fruits."
On one of these rounds in mid January I came across the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrating Orthodox Christmas (the Orthodox Christmas and Easter always comes later than the Protestant/Roman Catholic Calendar) in James Chapel. I was informed that the bishop for the American Hemisphere of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was celebrating. It was a lively celebration with what many religious folks would call "smells and bells". A phrase used to describe High Church practices of Incense and all sorts of other rituals not found in less formal worship places. Later, after the crowded service was over I was invited to join these folks in an incredible meal in our refectory.
I mention all this because 'Holy War: The Untold Story of Catholic Italy's Crusade Against the Ethiopian Orthodox Church' Brought back a fond memory of that moment. At the time I remembered wondering about this wonderful Ethiopian meal. My severely limited perspective on Ethiopia was t.v. commercials of children with with distended bellies suffering from starvation. That meal that night forced to me to reevaluate all my presumptions.
Campbell's book helps explain how Ethiopia found itself in such a dreadful state. Blame it on Mussolini and the Roman Catholic Church. When the Church signed onto Mussolini's Crusade against their fellow Ethiopian followers of our Savior Jesus Christ - they managed to destroy the schools and the hospitals and many other civil projects that Haile Selassie I, had implemented to improve the lot of the Ethiopians. After World War II was over the Allied powers did little to restore Ethiopia to it's former glory. Ethiopia never received the support that European nations received in rebuilding.
Campbell's book also goes into excruciating detail on how this crusade was carried out; the chemical gassing, the mass executions, the deliberate targeting of the brightest leadership in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as well as the looting of national treasures. In regard to that last bit about the national treasures - most of those treasure have never been returned. This despite a treaty that promised Italy would return the treasures. Campbell gives us a clue about where we might find some of those treasures. When one of our former presidents referred to Africa nations as "shithole nations" he failed to address how those nations acquired that status.
And then there was this quote from Haile Selassie given at the end of the book.
"How many are the young me, the women, the priests and monks who the Italians pitilessly massacred during those years? . . . The blood and bones of those who were killed with spades and pickaxes, pierced with bayonets, clubbed and stoned, of those who were burned alive in their homes with their little children, of those who perished of hunger and thirst inprison, have been crying for justice. . . .
When we say let us rejoice with our hearts, let not our rejoicing be in any other way but in the spirit of Christ. Do not return evil for evil. Do not indulge in the atrocities with the enemy has been practicing in his usual way, even to the last. Take care not to spoil the good name of Ethiopia by acts which are worthy of the enemy."
If that's what it means to be a citizen of a "shithole nation"; let me be such a citizen.
Finally, Campbell's book helped me piece together a bit of modern church history. Pius XI, and his successor Pius XII both for a time worked in league with Mussolini; until they didn't. But, the Roman Catholic Church never atoned for this tragic sin. Pius XII died in October of 1958 at which time the next pope was John XXIII. John XXIII was the pope who initiated Vatican II; which I always thought of as a bright shining moment in the Roman Catholic Church. It was a time when the pendulum swung the other way. But Pope John XXIII only lived five years - and forces in the Roman Catholic Church immediately did everything they could to erase his legacy. They didn't succeed - and yet in light of the legacy of the atrocity of Ethiopia and partnership with Mussolini Vatican II feels a bit paltry.
Read this book as a warning about the choices we can make. Jesus put it best when he said, "You will know them by their fruits."
May 31, 2024
This is one of those books which are difficult to review
It focuses on the place of religion in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, which is major and horrifying. On the one hand we see the role of the Catholic church in supporting the invasion; drumming up support, sending holy icons to inspire the troops, and preparing to bring a conquered Ethiopia into the Catholic fold.
On the other hand you see fascist Italy's approach to the Ethiopian church. The Ethiopian church is an ancient institution with a long history of generally getting along with its younger cousin; the Catholic church. Through a combination of religious fervour, a desire to suppress a conquered Ethiopia, and personal obsession, the fascists decide to destroy the Ethiopian church.
The results are horrific and genocidal. Churches looted and burnt, clergy slaughtered, anyone unlucky enough to be nearby rounded up and shot. Grand old monasteries devastated, gutted, and butchered. Expeditions of Italian soldiers move through the countryside, destroying every trace of the Ethiopian church they find. The book is occasionally difficult to read, including first hand accounts wherever possible.
I've read about the Italian invasion of Ethiopia before, but by focusing on the role of the churches this book was able to hammer home the horror of what happened very effectively.
It's worth noting, as discussed in this book, that Italy was never held to account for these crimes. Italy pivoted to join the Allies, and the Allies didn't have the will to make Italians answer for their crimes; and especially didn't have the will to make Italians answer for their crimes against the population of an African country. So, the genocide against the Ethiopian church is now often forgotten, the perpetrators went unpunished, and the Ethiopian artifacts have never been returned.
It's not only a book which should be read, it's a book which should be talked about.
It focuses on the place of religion in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, which is major and horrifying. On the one hand we see the role of the Catholic church in supporting the invasion; drumming up support, sending holy icons to inspire the troops, and preparing to bring a conquered Ethiopia into the Catholic fold.
On the other hand you see fascist Italy's approach to the Ethiopian church. The Ethiopian church is an ancient institution with a long history of generally getting along with its younger cousin; the Catholic church. Through a combination of religious fervour, a desire to suppress a conquered Ethiopia, and personal obsession, the fascists decide to destroy the Ethiopian church.
The results are horrific and genocidal. Churches looted and burnt, clergy slaughtered, anyone unlucky enough to be nearby rounded up and shot. Grand old monasteries devastated, gutted, and butchered. Expeditions of Italian soldiers move through the countryside, destroying every trace of the Ethiopian church they find. The book is occasionally difficult to read, including first hand accounts wherever possible.
I've read about the Italian invasion of Ethiopia before, but by focusing on the role of the churches this book was able to hammer home the horror of what happened very effectively.
It's worth noting, as discussed in this book, that Italy was never held to account for these crimes. Italy pivoted to join the Allies, and the Allies didn't have the will to make Italians answer for their crimes; and especially didn't have the will to make Italians answer for their crimes against the population of an African country. So, the genocide against the Ethiopian church is now often forgotten, the perpetrators went unpunished, and the Ethiopian artifacts have never been returned.
It's not only a book which should be read, it's a book which should be talked about.
April 25, 2026
So this was an interesting read, especially the epilogue that documented the pope's moral journey through this entire adventure. I thought the Italian invasion of Ethiopia under Mussolini was just a blind colonial power grab. Now that I see that they purged the Ethiopian Orthodox priests and bishops, lead massacres on the holy sites, said that the Ethiopian Orthodox were heretics for not following European Catholicism, and called the Ethiopian Muslims infidels... I am not so sure any more. The invasion seems well-researched and pre-meditated.
Initially, Pope Pius XI was against the war. However, when so many Italian archbishops, bishops and clergy both inside and outside the Vatican were super enthusiastic about the invasion. They fundraised for the war effort and personally donated heavily for the war effort. They used their time at the pulpits to dehumanize the Ethiopians, call Ethiopian Muslims infidels and declare the invasion a Holy War. Secretary of State Pacelli heavily supported Mussolini. Mussolini went out of his way to thank the clergy for their support, said that he could not have done it with out them and in response he was greeted with roaring cheers of "Duce! Duce! Duce!". Catholic support and clergy sacralization was critical for the war effort. Basically, the machinery of the Catholic Church system was rigged from the start against Ethiopia.
The author wants to point out that it was in the pope's power to denounce the invasion, albeit being ultra-unpopular with the clergy. He seems to have the view that the pope is an absolute autocrat and that he does not have to get support from the system to bring about his agenda and that as autocrats age or get sick, then decision-making starts failing and everyone starts acting more independently (See the book Coalitions of the Weak). Hence, why even though the Holy See was functioning and Secretary of State Pacelli was ultra-competent, they did not reflect papal will.
By 1937, Pope Pius was stating to regret his alliance with Fascism. He really wanted to speak out about it but was censored the Pacelli and the Vatican when he tried to denounce it on the 10th anniversary of the Lateran Treaty that was an alliance between the Vatican and fascism.
The author does not want us to judge the pope too lightly however, as he found his voice after Ethiopia while watching a repeat of the racial purity laws imposed in Ethiopia being replicated by Germany on the European continent. He also did have enough authority to send morality police around in Italy seeking out offensive behavior in plays and films and scour beaches for immodest dress, He had already intervened quickly in Spain when the clergy that were being hunted down were CCatholics. Plus, there was a focus on using Mussolini to convince Hitler not to send hundreds of German Catholic clergy to trial on the grounds of sexual perversion and not to charge the Jesuits with illegal exporation of funds.
To sum up the moral complexity of the time period, the author pointed out that the pope got $90 million of compensation from Italy from the loss of the papal states. A layperson by the name of Bernardino Nogara was charged with investing it well but in exchange, he wanted to be free from doctrinal constraints. He took an index fund approach and basically invested in all Italian sectors of the economy. However, he did this by buying the shares directly, rather than indirectly like we do nowadays. So, he had to go out of his way to invest in contraceptives that the pope and Vatican hated and munitions that would be used in Ethiopia, for the sake of giving the Vatican more funds in the future.
To quote the animated series Invincible: "You can either be the good guy or the guy who saves the world"
Initially, Pope Pius XI was against the war. However, when so many Italian archbishops, bishops and clergy both inside and outside the Vatican were super enthusiastic about the invasion. They fundraised for the war effort and personally donated heavily for the war effort. They used their time at the pulpits to dehumanize the Ethiopians, call Ethiopian Muslims infidels and declare the invasion a Holy War. Secretary of State Pacelli heavily supported Mussolini. Mussolini went out of his way to thank the clergy for their support, said that he could not have done it with out them and in response he was greeted with roaring cheers of "Duce! Duce! Duce!". Catholic support and clergy sacralization was critical for the war effort. Basically, the machinery of the Catholic Church system was rigged from the start against Ethiopia.
The author wants to point out that it was in the pope's power to denounce the invasion, albeit being ultra-unpopular with the clergy. He seems to have the view that the pope is an absolute autocrat and that he does not have to get support from the system to bring about his agenda and that as autocrats age or get sick, then decision-making starts failing and everyone starts acting more independently (See the book Coalitions of the Weak). Hence, why even though the Holy See was functioning and Secretary of State Pacelli was ultra-competent, they did not reflect papal will.
By 1937, Pope Pius was stating to regret his alliance with Fascism. He really wanted to speak out about it but was censored the Pacelli and the Vatican when he tried to denounce it on the 10th anniversary of the Lateran Treaty that was an alliance between the Vatican and fascism.
The author does not want us to judge the pope too lightly however, as he found his voice after Ethiopia while watching a repeat of the racial purity laws imposed in Ethiopia being replicated by Germany on the European continent. He also did have enough authority to send morality police around in Italy seeking out offensive behavior in plays and films and scour beaches for immodest dress, He had already intervened quickly in Spain when the clergy that were being hunted down were CCatholics. Plus, there was a focus on using Mussolini to convince Hitler not to send hundreds of German Catholic clergy to trial on the grounds of sexual perversion and not to charge the Jesuits with illegal exporation of funds.
To sum up the moral complexity of the time period, the author pointed out that the pope got $90 million of compensation from Italy from the loss of the papal states. A layperson by the name of Bernardino Nogara was charged with investing it well but in exchange, he wanted to be free from doctrinal constraints. He took an index fund approach and basically invested in all Italian sectors of the economy. However, he did this by buying the shares directly, rather than indirectly like we do nowadays. So, he had to go out of his way to invest in contraceptives that the pope and Vatican hated and munitions that would be used in Ethiopia, for the sake of giving the Vatican more funds in the future.
To quote the animated series Invincible: "You can either be the good guy or the guy who saves the world"
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