Clement XII, 1738 🔗In eminenti apostolatus, Papal Bull dealing with the condemnation of Freemasonry
“..We therefore (…) do hereby determine and have decreed that these same Societies, Companies, Assemblies, Meetings, Congregations, or Conventicles of Liberi Muratori or Francs Massons, or whatever other name they may go by, are to be condemned and prohibited, and by Our present Constitution, valid for ever, We do condemn and prohibit them..”
Benedict XIV, 1751 🔗Apostolic Constitution, Providas Romanorum
Condemned Freemasonry on the grounds of its naturalism, demand for oaths, secrecy, religious indifferentism, and possible threat to the church and state. It confirmed the previous constitution In eminenti apostolatus.
Pius VII, 1821🔗Papal bull, Ecclesiam a Iesu Christo
“..For a long time now, the Holy See, informed about these meetings openly and without any pressure, has announced that these [Masonic] associations are preparing a conspiracy against religion and even against society…”
Leo XII, 1825🔗Apostolic Constitution Quo Graviora
Pope confirms the statements of his predecessor, deals with prohibition of membership in Masonic lodges in perpetuity.
Pius IX,1873 🔗 Encyclical Etsi Multa
On The Church in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Among other issues, it condemned Freemasonry, which was blamed for the widespread attack on the Catholic Church: the passage of anti-Catholic laws, state intrusion into Church matters, and the suppression of religious freedom in the German Empire, particularly in Prussia.
Leo XIII, 1884🔗Encyclical Humanum Genus
“..The Holy See publicly condemned the sect of Freemasons as a union founded against divine and human law, disastrous for both Christianity and secular society..”
Leo XIII, 1890🔗Encyclical Dall’alto dell’Apostolico Seggio, On Freemasonry in Italy
Condemns the secularisation of Italian society, the abolition of religious instruction in schools and the absolute independence of civil society from influence of religion.
🔗Catholic ban on Freemasonry(Wikipedia)
🔗Papal documents relating to Freemasonry (a list of relevant documents, Wikipedia)
Why Catholics Can’t be Masons(Sandra Miesel; Our Sunday Visitor, 24 September 2006)
