THE ENCYCLICAL “CASTI CONNUBII” AND THE INSTITUTE OF THE GREEK CATHOLIC FAMILY IN GALICIA (FIRST THIRD OF THE 20TH CENTURY)

Abstract

This article examines Pope Pius XI’s encyclical “Casti Connubii” (1930) in the context of the marriage and family policy of the Greek Catholic Church in Galicia during the first third of the twentieth century. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of this ecclesiastical document on the moral and ethical guidance of the Greek Catholic clergy and on the formation of marital culture among the Ukrainian population of Galicia. Particular attention is given to issues that were highly relevant to society at the time, including maritalfidelity, divorce, emigration, and the demographic crisis. The methodological foundation of the research isbased on interdisciplinary approaches that integrate historical, religious, socio-anthropological, and source- critical analyses. The scholarly novelty of the article lies in its attempt to reinterpret the “Casti Connubii”not only as a component of Catholic doctrine but also as a tool of social influence that mobilized the GreekCatholic clergy in the defense of the traditional Christian family. The conclusions highlight that the encyclical “Casti Connubii” represented the Catholic Church’s response to the moral and social challenges of the era.In the Galician context, it contributed to the consolidation of the clergy around the idea of family protection, served as a foundation for pastoral and educational activity, and reinforced the moral authority of the Greek Catholic Church in the face of new challenges.