THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1698, 14 June 1884, Page 2

THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY.

The correspondent of the London Standard, writing from Homo to that journal, says : — I have before mo an early copy of the Latin text of the Encyclical against Masonry. It is a long document, and would occupy about ten columns of the Standard. After citing sundry declarations of the Church against Masonry, the Pope asserts that the Order is equally hostile to civil society and religion. He declares that various other sects of Socialists and Communists are, if not formally united to Masons, yet of a similar nature, equally pernicious and equally partaking 1 of the nature of secret societies. The Pope observes, however, that what he has said of these sects is not to be taken as said of every member of either of them, since many, though not without fault in having given their names to sucli societies, may be deceived as to their objects. He then stigmatises the errors of naturalism, and the prevalent indiiferentism betweon ono form of faith and another, which is fatal to all religion. The doctrine of equality among men, true enough in one sense, is, in the sense given to it, destructive of all authority and of civil society. The ono object of Masonry, Socialism, and Communism is tho subversion of all civil society, and tho vigour of the attack requires a similar determination in defence. The Pope concludes by recommending increased action on the part of the Bishops, that especial attention should be given to the young, and the employment of tho Third Order of St. Francis as a means of action on the masses. [Where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise.']