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Article THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1
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The Pope And Freemasonry.
THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY .
IF we were not aware that the Encyclical Letters of the Pope' of Rome are regarded , hy a large number of our fellow countrymen in a serious light , and are deemed by them worthy of the greatest reverence and esteem , we should really be compelled
to laugh at the exhibition the head of the Romish church makes of himself in his periodical tirades against Freemasonry . There is some consolation to members of the Craft in knowing that in his latest letter the Pope abuses them in company with that
"insignificant" power of the present day—the press ; and if we carefully read between the lines , it does not seem to be very difficult to discover that the Pope ' s objection to Freemasonry , equally with his abuse of the press , is framed on what , in ordinary mortals ,
would be set down as jealousy . It seems the worst that can be charged against Freemasonry , in the Pope ' s last epistle , is that Masonic influence is making itself felt in all the circumstances of social life , and that its members are desiring to become master and controller
of everything . Hereby , says the Pope , the way will be smoothed towards the abolition of the Papacy ; Italy will thus be free from its implacable and deadly
enemy ; and Rome , which in the past was the centre of universal Theocracy , will in future be the centre of universal secularisation , whence the Magna Charta of human liberty is to be proclaimed in the face of the whole world .
The general press of the country has devoted considerable space to reviews of this attack on Freemasonry , and the majority look upon the matter in the same light as we do . Really , if any one is to be pitied it is not the Freemasons who are thus attacked ,
but the poor old Pope who has such narrow-minded views , or who allows himself to be led astray by his underlings , and issues as serious manifestoes such nonsense as his periodical attacks on Freemasonry .
As expressed in one of the London evening papers , we apprehend that the enmity of the Church of Eome to Freemasonry is because the latter spells Patriotism , and because the more advanced members of the
Masonic Order are anxious to do all that lies in their power to promote the education and general improvement of their fellow creatures . Rightly or wrongly the Romish Church has the reputation of maintaining its supremacy over its followers by preying on their
ignorance , and thus the outspokenness of Freemasonry is diametrically opposed to its ideas . On this principle we think it fair to accept the regular tirades of the Pope against Freemasonry as complimentary . If we do so much to promote independence and take
sucn a prominent part in educating tne masses as would seem to be the case , if we are to believe the powers of Rome , then Freemasonry is faithfully and zealously performing its mission , which may briefly be described , in this connection , as being to advance the interests of mankind generally . {
The Pope And Freemasonry.
AN Encyclical Letter , elated from the Vatican , 15 th October , haa just been addressed by Pope Leo X 1 IT . to " the bishops , clergy , and people of Italy , " and an authorised translation into English has beeu published . The occasion is , from the Papal point of view a serious one . " To such a pass have we come , " says' his
Holiness , " that we havo to fear for this Italy of ours the loss even of the faith . " The Pope does not propose " to say anything new , for facts have not changed from what they were , " bufc he now intends " to recapitulate theso facts in somo way , and to group them into one picture ,
so as to draw out for general instruction the consequences that flow from them . ' * The " system , " of which these facts " are the actual operation and development , " is , we are told , " not new ; but the audacity , tho fury , and the
rapidity with which it is now carried out are new . The Pope first deals with "the designs and action of Freemasonry in Italy , " and draws up an indictment against that " sect " in the following words : —
Tlie action of tho sect is at present directed to attain the following objects , according to the votes and resolutions passed in their most important assemblies—votes and resolutions inspired throughout by a deadly hatred of tho Church : The abolition iu the schools of evory kind of religions instrnction , and the founding of
institutions in whioh even girls are to be withdrawn from all clerical influence , whatever ib may be ; because the State , whioh onght to be absolutely atheistic , has the inalienable right and duty to form the heart and the spirit of its citizens , and no school should exist apart from its inspiration and control . The rigorous
application of all laws now in force which aim at securing the absolute independence of civil society from clerical influence . The strict observance of laws suppressing religious corporations , and the employment of means to make them effectual . The regulation of all ecclesiastical property , starting from the principle that its ownership belongs to
the State and its administration to the civil power . The exclusion of every Catholic or clerical element from all pnblic administrations , from all pious works , hospitals and schools , from the councils which govern the destinies of the country , from academical and other unions , from companies , committees , and families ; an exclusion from every
thing , everywhere , and for ever . Instead , the Masonic influence is to make itself felt in all the circumstances of social life , and to become master and controller of everything . Hereby the way will be smoothed towards the abolition of the Papacy ; Italy will thns be freed from its implacable and deadly enemy ; and Rome , which in
the past was the centre of universal Theocracy , will in the future be the centre of universal secularization , whence the Magna Charta of human liberty is to be proclaimed in the face of the whole world . Such are the authentic declarations , aspirations , and resolutions of Freemasons or of their assemblies .
In view of this state of things , the Pope thus exhorts the bishops and clergy : — We therefore make appeal , venerable brethren , to your zeal and your great love for souls , in order that , possessed with a sense of the gravity of the danger which they incur , you may apply the proper
remedies , and do all you can do dispel this danger . No means must be neglected that is in your power . All the resources of speech , ever expedient in action , all the immense treasures of help and grace which the Chnicb places iu your hands must be made use of , for the
formation of a clergy learned and fnll of the spirit of Jesus Christ , for the Christian education of youth , for the extirpation of evil doctrines , for the defence of Catholic truths , and for the maintenance of the Christian character and spirit of family life . Elsewhere his Holiness makes reference to the influence of the press and other matters . —Daily Telegraph .
We understand that the Lord Mayor , Sir Henry Isaacs , Grand Warden , has consented to visit the brethren of the Lodge of Israel , on Tuesday next , afc the Cannon Street Hotel ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Pope And Freemasonry.
THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY .
IF we were not aware that the Encyclical Letters of the Pope' of Rome are regarded , hy a large number of our fellow countrymen in a serious light , and are deemed by them worthy of the greatest reverence and esteem , we should really be compelled
to laugh at the exhibition the head of the Romish church makes of himself in his periodical tirades against Freemasonry . There is some consolation to members of the Craft in knowing that in his latest letter the Pope abuses them in company with that
"insignificant" power of the present day—the press ; and if we carefully read between the lines , it does not seem to be very difficult to discover that the Pope ' s objection to Freemasonry , equally with his abuse of the press , is framed on what , in ordinary mortals ,
would be set down as jealousy . It seems the worst that can be charged against Freemasonry , in the Pope ' s last epistle , is that Masonic influence is making itself felt in all the circumstances of social life , and that its members are desiring to become master and controller
of everything . Hereby , says the Pope , the way will be smoothed towards the abolition of the Papacy ; Italy will thus be free from its implacable and deadly
enemy ; and Rome , which in the past was the centre of universal Theocracy , will in future be the centre of universal secularisation , whence the Magna Charta of human liberty is to be proclaimed in the face of the whole world .
The general press of the country has devoted considerable space to reviews of this attack on Freemasonry , and the majority look upon the matter in the same light as we do . Really , if any one is to be pitied it is not the Freemasons who are thus attacked ,
but the poor old Pope who has such narrow-minded views , or who allows himself to be led astray by his underlings , and issues as serious manifestoes such nonsense as his periodical attacks on Freemasonry .
As expressed in one of the London evening papers , we apprehend that the enmity of the Church of Eome to Freemasonry is because the latter spells Patriotism , and because the more advanced members of the
Masonic Order are anxious to do all that lies in their power to promote the education and general improvement of their fellow creatures . Rightly or wrongly the Romish Church has the reputation of maintaining its supremacy over its followers by preying on their
ignorance , and thus the outspokenness of Freemasonry is diametrically opposed to its ideas . On this principle we think it fair to accept the regular tirades of the Pope against Freemasonry as complimentary . If we do so much to promote independence and take
sucn a prominent part in educating tne masses as would seem to be the case , if we are to believe the powers of Rome , then Freemasonry is faithfully and zealously performing its mission , which may briefly be described , in this connection , as being to advance the interests of mankind generally . {
The Pope And Freemasonry.
AN Encyclical Letter , elated from the Vatican , 15 th October , haa just been addressed by Pope Leo X 1 IT . to " the bishops , clergy , and people of Italy , " and an authorised translation into English has beeu published . The occasion is , from the Papal point of view a serious one . " To such a pass have we come , " says' his
Holiness , " that we havo to fear for this Italy of ours the loss even of the faith . " The Pope does not propose " to say anything new , for facts have not changed from what they were , " bufc he now intends " to recapitulate theso facts in somo way , and to group them into one picture ,
so as to draw out for general instruction the consequences that flow from them . ' * The " system , " of which these facts " are the actual operation and development , " is , we are told , " not new ; but the audacity , tho fury , and the
rapidity with which it is now carried out are new . The Pope first deals with "the designs and action of Freemasonry in Italy , " and draws up an indictment against that " sect " in the following words : —
Tlie action of tho sect is at present directed to attain the following objects , according to the votes and resolutions passed in their most important assemblies—votes and resolutions inspired throughout by a deadly hatred of tho Church : The abolition iu the schools of evory kind of religions instrnction , and the founding of
institutions in whioh even girls are to be withdrawn from all clerical influence , whatever ib may be ; because the State , whioh onght to be absolutely atheistic , has the inalienable right and duty to form the heart and the spirit of its citizens , and no school should exist apart from its inspiration and control . The rigorous
application of all laws now in force which aim at securing the absolute independence of civil society from clerical influence . The strict observance of laws suppressing religious corporations , and the employment of means to make them effectual . The regulation of all ecclesiastical property , starting from the principle that its ownership belongs to
the State and its administration to the civil power . The exclusion of every Catholic or clerical element from all pnblic administrations , from all pious works , hospitals and schools , from the councils which govern the destinies of the country , from academical and other unions , from companies , committees , and families ; an exclusion from every
thing , everywhere , and for ever . Instead , the Masonic influence is to make itself felt in all the circumstances of social life , and to become master and controller of everything . Hereby the way will be smoothed towards the abolition of the Papacy ; Italy will thns be freed from its implacable and deadly enemy ; and Rome , which in
the past was the centre of universal Theocracy , will in the future be the centre of universal secularization , whence the Magna Charta of human liberty is to be proclaimed in the face of the whole world . Such are the authentic declarations , aspirations , and resolutions of Freemasons or of their assemblies .
In view of this state of things , the Pope thus exhorts the bishops and clergy : — We therefore make appeal , venerable brethren , to your zeal and your great love for souls , in order that , possessed with a sense of the gravity of the danger which they incur , you may apply the proper
remedies , and do all you can do dispel this danger . No means must be neglected that is in your power . All the resources of speech , ever expedient in action , all the immense treasures of help and grace which the Chnicb places iu your hands must be made use of , for the
formation of a clergy learned and fnll of the spirit of Jesus Christ , for the Christian education of youth , for the extirpation of evil doctrines , for the defence of Catholic truths , and for the maintenance of the Christian character and spirit of family life . Elsewhere his Holiness makes reference to the influence of the press and other matters . —Daily Telegraph .
We understand that the Lord Mayor , Sir Henry Isaacs , Grand Warden , has consented to visit the brethren of the Lodge of Israel , on Tuesday next , afc the Cannon Street Hotel ,