CUSTODI
DI QUELLA FEDE
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII
ON FREEMASONRY
To
the Italian People.
Deplorable
Conditions in Italy
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, 1884,1 and in the more recent one of October 15, 1890,2 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, wining 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 prey 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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