Communism and the Conscience of the West

by Fulton J. Sheen

For decades, this book has been recognized as the finest book ever written by a Catholic on the subject of communism. Dedicated to Our Lady in prayerful hope for the conversion of Russia, this is one of Fulton Sheen’s most forgotten yet most important books. In Communism and the Conscience of the West , Sheen explains the problems with society stemming from socialism and communism, which continue to infect universities and political discourse today. This timeless book exposes communism’s defects, its attitude toward the family, the decline of historical liberalism, and the rise of the antireligious spirit that pervades our world.

Genres: Catholic, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Fulton John Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, in 1919, Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and served as a parish priest before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966 when he was made bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York. He resigned as bishop of Rochester in 1969 as his 75th birthday approached and was made archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".

Reviews

[Andrew Shugart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book and should be read by any Christian who wants to understand what is happening in the world. It outlines the fundamental ideological conflicts between Christian doctrine and Marxism.

The last chapter in particular was my favorite. It talks about the state of the modern world with the apparent decay of society, but frames it in the historical context of times in history when Christianity was on the brink of ruin and, like Christ, had to endure temporary death in order to live on eternally.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may have been written in the late 1940's but it could have been written today. detailed and well researched history of communism and the various people within communism. Unfortunately it is out of print but can befound in public libraries.

[Diane Kennicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Very eye opening and relevant to current events.

[Miel_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un livre très dense mais aussi très documenté qui aurait pu être écrit aujourd'hui tant il est d'actualité ! J'ai beaucoup appris. Sur le communisme, son histoire, sa philosophie et les raisons profondes de l'opposition de l'Eglise catholique à cette idéologie. L'auteur donne également des pistes pour lutter contre et une véritable espérance ! Une lecture qui apprends et qui illumine.

[Cole Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulton J. Sheen is such a powerful Catholic. His high intelligence and relationship with God shines through in these speeches. Venerable Fulton Sheen was ahead of his time and these speeches still hold true 80 years later. I hope he becomes Blessed Fulton Sheen in my lifetime.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical analysis and review of the principals of communism, their impact and relationship to the western world. Ending with a hopeful message

[Daniel Massett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book book. I never really got into Fulton Sheen, but now I may.

One of the most interesting chapters, to me, was the second, where he demonstrates that Communism really is still a Western idea, born out of the same matter that progressive liberalism or capitalism were built from. All of communism’s ideas are bourgeoisie ideas. It’s a chapter that, decades on, is sure to anger all sides of the political spectrum, likely because it’s true.

Chapter 3 ends with a great analysis of the inherent contradictions in the philosophical framework of communism (communism is more a philosophy than a sound economic theory). First, if all history is a Hegelian dialectic of economics, why do the Communists need to intentionally foment class struggle? Why can’t they just sit back and watch it all happen in a determined way? Also, why is communism the end of the dialectic? Won’t it necessarily give rise to its own antithesis, which it will form a synthesis with, and on and on? If changes in economics are the only real movements that give rise to new ideas, what gave rise to the economic change to begin with? Are we really determined by economic conditions (Marx), or just conditioned? If determined, then why won’t communists shut up about freedom? If Christianity is a class morality about protecting property, why do religious orders give up property to be like Christ? Why are there saints from every wall of life? Etc etc etc etc.

Chapter 4 goes deeper, explaining and deconstructing the basic beliefs of communism. Marx, explicitly, sought to destroy the individual, personal character of man. This was to fight against the capitalist notion of man completely disconnected from society. But Marx goes too far the other way—now man is not an individual at all. Marc taps into man’s desire to sacrifice himself for the greater good to the degree that the individual is completely destroyed. Now there are only the masses. There is not the self-determined person. Rights are not God-given but state-given, so the state can take them away. The problem boils down to “What is man?” Man needs to be reaffirmed. The universe exists for man, he is its pinnacle. Communist violence is against neighbor. Christian violence is against the self, the ego, your own sin. To the Christian, communism isn’t revolutionary enough. The revolution begins with eradicating selfishness within…the sharing of property will come naturally then (Acts, monasteries, etc).

Communism hates death because it individualizes. It makes a person singular. Sheen advocates against hating communism and communists—hate erodes. Rather, knowing distinctions, reasons, etc., while loving the person, are what makes a difference

He then sets out a distributist model to find a solution between capitalism and communism. Basically, every worker in a company should also be a shareholder, rather than shadowy capitalists who never do anything in the company being the shareholders. This ensures man’s social freedom. He also advocates for placing spiritual leaders of the major religions in the factory.

He then details the breakdown of the family as the breakdown of society, which the Soviet Union itself recognized and so enforced laws against divorce. “The fewer sacrifices a man is required to make, the more lothesome those few become.” The family is where you learn love for yourself and others as persons, not for what they do but simply because they are. The breakdown of this is the breakdown of all things.

His chapter on “passion” might be the best of all. Basically, the modern world, with its bland tolerance, individualism, etc. produces boredom and cynicism. Communism and other isms that arose in the 20th century hijacked some of the higher ideals of religion (passion is self-sacrifice to a higher good) for more nefarious purposes. At the same time, placing blame outward instead of inward leads to more government control and bureaucratic totalitarianism where we forfeit everything because we cannot turn inward and blame ourselves. Liquidating others who we blame helps relieve some of the guilt that we should be placing on ourselves, and politics becomes your new ideology. Changing externals cannot change internals.

[Camillo Morganti · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books you can read to fully understand present times. It has been written in 1948, but some pages seem to be written in present times. It basically contains a deep, deep analysis of Marxism and Soviet Russia, which bishop Sheen separates in a very neat manner from the Russian people and a harsh criticism of the direction which the so-called "free world", led by the US has taken.
The counterintuitive conclusion is that the Russian people would have a shot at redemption, one day, once Communism had ended, while the collective West would run an existential risk of extinction if it did not change its ways (basically: its materialism and its economy based on greed). One may agree or not agree with the ideas contained in the book, but what can't be denied is that bishop Sheen in this book has perfectly foreseen the situation which the world is in nowadays and the most striking thing is that he did so almost 80 years in advance. Aside from that, if you are deeply curious about the philosophy of the XX century, this book is a marvellous summary and an unending source of bibliography.

[Christopher Matta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulton Sheen talks about his times and how communism started and spread its heirs across Russia and the world. Relating to the west and how we’ve become a “Godless” society needing to turn towards Christ. This book is a must read and has a lot of relation to the times we live in now. Brillant read!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely clear-headed dissertation on the subject. Probably ought to listen on an annual basis to stay reminded on the benefits of liberty over the evil that sprang from the pen of Marx and his ilk.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Preference Rating 4/5 Audiobook (Audible)
Lots of interesting points. I think most people interested in this book will like it. The narrator was a little intense at times, but I enjoyed the book regardless.

[Christine Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more difficult books to power through but WOW. It is informative, historical, and for being written in the 60’s… eerily necessary and apropos for world to think about today.

[Laurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked many points and observations the author made on Communism. Several of his ideas about Russia are quite dated and/or his hopes have not yet come true/he was not correct. As a Lutheran, I also took issue with several of his points, particularly regarding the visions of Fatima. However, it was still worth reading and much of what he says regarding communism and materialism is relevant for today.