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Title: |
Custodi Di Quella Fede
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Descr.: |
On Freemasonry
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Pope: |
Pope Leo XIII
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Date: |
December 8, 1892
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To
the Italian People.
Deplorable
Conditions in Italy
1.
Guardians of that faith to which the Christian nations owe their
morality and civil redemption, We must dutifully discharge each
one of Our supreme tasks. Therefore We must raise Our voice in
loud protestations against the impious war which tries to take
such a precious treasure away from you, beloved children. Already
taught by long and sorrowful experience, you know well the
terrible trials of this war, you who deplore it in your hearts as
Catholics and as Italians. Can one be Italian in name and
sentiment and not resent these continual offenses against divine
beliefs? These beliefs are the most beautiful of our glories, for
they gave to Italy its primacy over the other nations and to Rome
the spiritual sceptre of the world. They likewise made the
wonderful edifice of Christian civilization rise over the ruins of
paganism and barbarism.
Can
we be Catholic in mind and heart and gaze with dry eyes on that
land where our wondrous Redeemer deigned to establish the seat of
His kingdom? Now We see His teachings attacked and His reverence
outraged, His Church embattled and His Vicar opposed. So many
souls redeemed by His blood are now lost, the choicest portion of
His flock, a people faithful to Him for nineteen centuries. How
can We bear to look upon His chosen people exposed to a constant
and ever-present danger of apostasy, pushed toward error and vice,
material miseries, and moral degradation?
Threat
of Masonry
2.
This war is directed at the same time against the heavenly and the
earthly kingdoms, against the faith of our ancestors and the
culture which they handed on to us. It is thus doubly evil, being
guilty of a divine offense no less than a human one. Is its chief
source not that very masonic sect which We discussed at length in
the encyclical Humanum genus of April 20, 1884, and in the more
recent one of October 15, 1890, addressed to the bishops, the
clergy and the Italian people? With these two letters We tore from
the face of masonry the mask which it used to hide itself and We
showed it in its crude deformity and dark fatal activity.
3.
We shall restrict Ourselves now to its deplorable effects on
Italy. For a long time now it has bored its way under the
deceitful guise of a philanthropic society and redeemer of the
Italian people. By way of conspiracies, corruptions, and violences,
it has finally come to dominate Italy and even Rome. To what
troubles, to what calamities has it opened the way in a little
more than thirty years?
Troubles
Caused by Masonry
4.
Our country has seen and suffered great evils in such a short span
of time, for the faith of our fathers has been made a sign for
persecutions of every sort. The satanic intent of the persecutors
has been to substitute naturalism for Christianity, the worship of
reason for the worship of faith, so-called independent morality
for Catholic morality, and material progress for spiritual
progress. To the holy maxims and laws of the Gospel, they have
opposed laws and maxims which can be called the code of
revolution. They have also opposed an atheistic doctrine and a
vile realism to school, science, and the Christian arts. Having
invaded the temple of the Lord, they have squandered the booty of
the Church's goods, the greatest part of the inheritance necessary
for the ministers, and reduced the number of priests by the
conscription of clerics beyond the limits of extreme need. If the
administration of the sacraments could not be impeded, they sought
nonetheless to introduce and promote civil marriages and funerals.
If they have not yet succeeded in seizing control of education and
the direction of charitable institutions, they always aim with
perseverance to laicize everything, which is to remove the mark of
Christianity from it. If they could not silence the voice of the
Catholic press, they made every effort to discredit and revile it.
Contradictions
in the Masonic Program
5.
In this battle against the Catholic religion, what partiality and
contradictions there are! They closed monasteries and convents,
but they let multiply at will masonic lodges and sectarian dens.
They proclaimed the right of association, while the legal rights
which all kinds of organizations use and abuse are denied to
religious societies. They proclaim freedom of religion and reserve
odious intolerance and vexations precisely for the religion of the
Italians - which, for that reason, should be assured respect and a
special protection. They made protests and great promises for the
protection of the dignity and independence of the pope, but you
see their daily contempt of Our person. All kinds of public shows
find an open field; yet this or that Catholic demonstration is
either prohibited or disturbed. They encourage schisms,
apostasies, and revolts against legitimate superiors in the
Church. Religious vows and especially religious obedience are
rebuked as contrary to human dignity and freedom, while impious
associations which bind their followers by wicked oaths and demand
blind, absolute obedience in crime are allowed to flourish with
impunity.
The
Spirit of Masonry
6.
We do not wish to exaggerate the masonic power by attributing to
its direct and immediate action all the evils which presently
preoccupy Us. However, you can clearly see its spirit in the facts
which We have just recorded and in many others which We could
recall. That spirit, which is the implacable enemy of Christ and
of the Church, tries all ways, uses all arts, and prevails upon
all means. It seizes from the Church its first-born daughter and
seizes from Christ His favored nation, the seat of His Vicar on
earth and the center of Catholic unity. To see the evil and
efficacious influence of this spirit on our affairs, We have more
than a few fleeting indications and the series of facts which have
succeeded themselves for thirty years. Proud of its successes, the
sect herself has spoken out and told us all its past
accomplishments and future goals. It regards the public powers as
its instruments, witting or not, which is to say that the impious
sect boasts as one of its principal works the religious
persecution which has troubled and is troubling our Italy. Though
often executed by other hands, this persecution is inspired and
promoted by masonry, in an immediate or mediate, direct or
indirect manner, by flattery or threats, seduction or revolution.
Social
Evils of Masonry
7.
The road is very short from religious to social ruin. The heart of
man is no longer raised to heavenly hopes and loves; capable and
needing the infinite, it throws itself insatiably on the goods of
this earth. Inevitably there is a perpetual struggle of avid
passions to enjoy, become rich, and rise. Then we encounter a
large and inexhaustible source of grudges, discords, corruptions,
and crimes. In our Italy there was no lack of moral and social
disorders before the present events - but what a sorrowful spectacle
we see in our days! That loving respect which forms domestic
harmony is substantially diminished; paternal authority is too
often unrecognized by children and parents alike. Disagreements
are frequent, divorce common. Civil discords and resentful anger
between the various orders increase every day in the cities. New
generations which grew up in a spirit of misunderstood freedom are
unleashed in the cities, generations which do not respect anything
from above or below. The cities teem with incitements to vice,
precocious crimes, and public scandals. The state should be
content with the high and noble office of recognizing, protecting,
and helping divine and human rights in their harmonious
universality. Now, however, the state believes itself almost a
judge and disowns these rights or restricts them at will. Finally,
the general social order is undermined at its foundations. Books
and journals, schools and universities, clubs and theaters,
monuments and political discourse, photographs and the fine arts,
everything conspires to pervert minds and corrupt hearts.
Meanwhile the oppressed and suffering people tremble and the
anarchic sects arouse themselves. The working classes raise their
heads and go to swell the ranks of socialism, communism, and
anarchy. Characters exhaust themselves and many souls, no longer
knowing how to suffer nobly nor how to redeem themselves manfully,
take their lives with cowardly suicide.
8.
Such are the fruits which the masonic sect has borne to us
Italians. And after that it yearns to come before you, extolling
its merits towards Italy. It likewise yearns to give Us and all
those who, heeding Our words, remain faithful to Jesus Christ, the
calumnious title of enemies of the state. The facts reveal the
merits of this guilty sect toward our peninsula,
"merits" which bear repeating. The facts say that
masonic patriotism is no less than sectarian egotism which yearns
to dominate everything, particularly the modern states which unite
and concentrate everything in their hands. The facts say that in
the plans of masonry, the names of political independence,
equality, civilization, and progress aimed to facilitate the
independence of man from God in our country. From them, license of
error and vice and union of faction at the expense of other
citizens have grown. The easy and delicious enjoyment of life by
the world's fortunate is nurtured in the same source. A people
redeemed by divine blood have thus returned to divisions,
corruptions, and the shames of paganism.
Evil
Nature of Masonry
9.
That does not surprise Us. - After nineteen centuries of Christian
civilization, this sect tries to overthrow the Catholic Church and
to cut off its divine sources. It absolutely denies the
supernatural, repudiating every revelation and all the means of
salvation which revelation shows us. Through its plans and works,
it bases itself solely and entirely on such a weak and corrupt
nature as ours. Such a sect cannot be anything other than the
height of pride, greed, and sensuality. Now, pride oppresses,
greed plunders, and sensuality corrupts. When these three
concupiscences are brought to the extreme, the oppressions, greed,
and seductive corruptions spread slowly. They take on boundless
dimensions and become the oppression, plundering and source of
corruption of an entire people.
10.
Let Us then show you masonry as an enemy of God, Church, and
country. Recognize it as such once and for all, and with all the
weapons which reason, conscience, and faith put in your hands,
defend yourselves from such a proud foe. Let no one be taken in by
its attractive appearance or allured by its promises; do not be
seduced by its enticements or frightened by its threats. Remember
that Christianity and masonry are essentially irreconcilable, such
that to join one is to divorce the other. You can no longer ignore
such incompatibility between Catholic and mason, beloved children:
you have been warned openly by Our predecessors, and We have
loudly repeated the warning.
Christian
Response to Masonry
11.
Those who, by some supreme misfortune, have given their name to
one of these societies of perdition should know that they are
strictly bound to separate themselves from it. Otherwise they must
remain separated from Christian communion and lose their soul now
and for eternity. Parents, teachers, godparents, and whoever has
care of others should also know that a rigorous duty binds them to
keep their wards from this guilty sect or to draw them from it if
they have already entered.
12.
In a matter of such importance and where the seduction is so easy
in these times, it is urgent that the Christian watch himself from
the beginning. He should fear the least danger, avoid every
occasion, and take the greatest precautions. Use all the prudence
of the serpent, while keeping in your heart the simplicity of the
dove, according to the evangelical counsel. Fathers and mothers
should be wary of inviting strangers into their homes or admitting
them to domestic intimacy, at least insofar as their faith is not
sufficiently known. They should try to first ascertain that an
astute recruiter of the sect does not hide himself in the guise of
a friend, teacher, doctor or other benefactor. Oh, in how many
families has the wolf penetrated in sheep's clothing!
Masonic
Threat to Groups
13.
It is beautiful to see the varied groups which arise everywhere
today in every order of social life: worker groups, groups of
mutual aid and social security, organizations to promote science,
arts, letters, and other similar things. When they are inspired by
a good moral and religious spirit, these groups certainly prove to
be useful and proper. But because the masonic poison has
penetrated and continues to penetrate here also, especially here,
any groups that remove themselves from religious influence should
be generally suspect. They can easily be directed and more or less
dominated by masons, becoming the sowing-ground and the
apprenticeship of the sect in addition to providing assistance to
it.
14.
Women should not join philanthropic societies whose nature and
purpose are not well-known without first seeking advice from wise
and experienced people. That talkative philanthropy which is
opposed to Christian charity with such pomp is often the passport
for masonic business.
15.
Everyone should avoid familiarity or friendship with anyone
suspected of belonging to masonry or to affiliated groups. Know
them by their fruits and avoid them. Every familiarity should be
avoided, not only with those impious libertines who openly promote
the character of the sect, but also with those who hide under the
mask of universal tolerance, respect for all religions, and the
craving to reconcile the maxims of the Gospel with those of the
revolution. These men seek to reconcile Christ and Belial, the
Church of God and the state without God.
16.
Every Christian should shun books and journals
which distill the poison of impiety and which stir up the fire of
unrestrained desires or sensual passions. Groups and reading clubs
where the masonic spirit stalks its [intended victims] should be likewise
shunned.
The
Offensive Against Masonry
17.
In addition, since we are dealing with a sect which has pervaded
everything, it is not enough to remain on the defensive. We must
courageously go out into the battlefield and confront it. That is
what you will do, beloved children, opposing press to press,
school to school, organization to organization, congress to
congress, action to action.
18.
Masonry has taken control of the public schools, leaving private
schools, paternal schools, and those directed by zealous
ecclesiastics and religious of both sexes to compete in the
education of Christian youth. Christian parents especially should
not entrust the education of their children to uncertain schools.
Masonry has confiscated the inheritance of public charity; fill
the void, then, with the treasure of private relief. It has placed
pious works in the hands of its followers, so you should entrust
those that depend on you to Catholic institutions. It opens and
maintains houses of vice, leaving you to do what is possible to
open and maintain shelters for honesty in danger. An
anti-Christian press in religious and secular matters militates at
its expense, so that your effort and money are required by the
Catholic press. Masonry establishes societies of mutual help and
credit unions for its partisans; you should do the same not only
for your brothers but for all the indigent. This will show that
true and sincere charity is the daughter of the One who makes the
sun to rise and the rain to fall on the just man and sinner alike.
19.
May this struggle between good and evil extend to everything, and
may good prevail. Masonry holds frequent meetings to plan new ways
to combat the Church, and you should hold them frequently to
better agree on the means and order of defense. It multiplies its
lodges, so that you should multiply Catholic clubs and parochial
groups, promote charitable associations and prayer organizations,
and maintain and increase the splendor of the temple of God. The
sect, having nothing to fear, today shows its face to the light of
day. You Italian Catholics should also make open profession of
your faith and follow the example of your glorious ancestors who
confessed their faith bravely before tyrants, torture, and death.
What more? Does the sect try to enslave the Church and to put it
at the feet of the state as a humble servant? You must then demand
and claim for it the freedom and independence due it before the
law. Does masonry seek to tear apart Catholic unity, sowing
discord even in the clergy itself, arousing quarrels, fomenting
strife, and inciting insubordination, revolt, and schism? By
tightening the sacred bond of charity and obedience, you can
thwart its plans, bring to naught its efforts, and disappoint its
hopes. Be all of one heart and one mind, like the first
Christians. Gathered around the See of Peter and united to your
pastors, protect the supreme interests of Church and papacy, which
are just as much the supreme interests of Italy and of all the
Christian world. The Apostolic See has always been the inspirer
and jealous guardian of Italian glory. Therefore, be Italians and
Catholics, free and non-sectarian, faithful to the nation as well
as to Christ and His visible Vicar. An anti-Christian and
antipapal Italy would truly be opposed to the divine plan, and
thus condemned to perish.
20.
Beloved children, faith and state speak to you at this time
through Us. Listen to their cry, arise together and fight manfully
the battles of the Lord. May the number, boldness, and strength of
the enemy not frighten you, because God is stronger than they; if
God is for you, who can be against you?
21.
Redouble your prayers so that God might be with you in a greater
abundance of grace, fighting and triumphing with you. Accompany
your prayers with the practice of the Christian virtues,
especially charity toward the needy. Seek God's mercies with
humility and perseverance, renewing every day the promises of your
baptism.
22.
As a pledge of these things and as a sign of Our paternal love, We
bestow on you Our apostolic blessing, beloved children.
Given
in Rome at Saint Peter's, the eighth day of December, 1892, in the
fifteenth year of Our pontificate.
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