Opera dei Congressi

The Opera dei Congressi or Work of the Congress was a Roman Catholic organisation that promoted Catholic ideas and culture. It was created in 1874, and observed of the positions of the Catholic Church, in particular Non Expedit. It began as a non-political group but moved into protesting the prisoner in the Vatican of the Pope's. It fought against anticlerical legislation and the many divorce bills that were introduced by successive Liberal governments (1861-1922).

Organised in a hierarchical way, with headquarters at local, regional, diocesan and level. After 1880 it had a surge in popularity, promoting economic and social activity with farm loan banks, society of mutual aid societies and cooperatives.

It was dissolved in 1904 by Pope Pius X.

...
Wikipedia