The ACLI as a Role Model for the Foundation of the Spanish HOAC (1946-1961)

Abstract

This article mainly aims at providing an approach to the international relationships of the Spanish Catholic Fraternity of Workers (Hermandad Obrera de Acción Católica or HOAC in Spanish) and, especially, its connection with the catholic organizations of workers in post-war Italy, which inspired the Spanish Church hierarchy leading to the foundation of the HOAC. A comparative study between the nature of the Christian As­sociations of Italian Workers (ACLI) and the HOAC does not only reveal the impossi­bility of implementing the model during the times of National-Catholic Spain, but also the conflicts provoked by such model during the changing period of time between the Spanish national isolationism and the Cold War. The political need to rely on a working-class grassroots support for future Christian Democratic parties clashed with the pastoral need for their evangelization. The methodology of the specialized Spanish Catholic Ac­tion (ACE) together with the strong will of some militants such as Guillermo Rovirosa made the political project fail.