Pope from 1903-1914, during which time
modern thinking was beginning to affect the
church. Pius X was wary of
reform. He believed stongly in the
Catholic Church as an
institution. He considered it disobedient for
clergy and
scholars to explore new explanations and approaches. People participating in these practices were called
modernists, and many of them, including
Alfred Loisy, and
George Tyrell were
excommunicated. It was not until
Vatican II that the ideas of these scholars were accepted.
In 1907 Pius X published two decrees: Lamentabili, and Pascendi. Both were clear statements against modernity. In Pascendi, Pius X requires all bishops and seminary professors to take an oath against modernity. It also ecouraged censorship, which resulted in the formation of a secret society, the Sodalitium Pianum, which spied on suspected moderists.