THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 46, 6 March 1885, Page 5

THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY.

(From the Aye Maria.)

The Holy Father's Encyclical against Freemasonry has been like a bomb-shell in the camp of that impious sect, in proof of which M. Findel, of Berlin, in a recent article urges the Freemasons to be on the defensive, declaring that the Encyclical Humanum. genus is "' a real catastrophe for secret societies." It has already contributed to the conversion of several notable members of the sect, as our readers are aware. The Count of Paratz, Grand Master of the Lisbon Freemasons, whose death waa noticed in a recent number, died repentant and we hope forgiven. Through the Nuncio be asked the Pope's pardon, and was freed from the excommnnications incurred as head of the Masonic Lodges. He then confessed, and received the last Sacraments with edifying sentiments of contrition and piety. The telegram assuring him of the Holy Father's pardon and blessing was his last earthly consolation and, we learn from a correspondent in Lisbon, that the whole city wus edified by his simple repentance. Another important conversion was that of Gesare Parrini, at Florence, — a man of education and talent, who was a contributor to the Fieramosoa (a Masonic journal published in Florence), and of high rank in the lodge. On the 13th of March, 1882, he declared in his will (which was published by the Cittadi/no of Genoa) that he neither wished for a priest when dying nor for religious rites at his funeral. On the morning of the 18th of July last, he 1 ought si duel at Quarto, near Florence, with a Mr. de Witt, and fell mortally wounded. He was brought to a house near Torrigiani, a neighbouring villa, and immediately called for a priest. The Rev. Luigt Miceinesi, parish priest of Sta Maria a Quinto, was sent for, and , after a short conference with the dying man, he came to the door and called for two witnesses. A friend, who had not left M. Parrini since the duel, offered himself, and an attendant from the hospital served for the second witness. Iv their presence the priest read a formula of retractation, which embraced all that was necessajry fora man who had trampled on all ecclesiastical laws, had fought a duel, written against the Church, etc., etc. The dying man, with a crucifix pressed to his heart, declared that he confirmed that retrac'afcion, adding : •'! forgive all, as I hope for forgiveness from God." The act, by the two witnesses, is preserved in the archives of the dee. After receiving the Holy Viaticum, Parrini grew very calm and frequently kissed the crucifix. He was asked how he, who had been so impious, was then so repentant and full of hope. He replied : '• My friend, in life things appear to us very different from what they art in death." He was anointed, and scarcely was the ceremony finished when lie expired, with the holy Name of Jesus on his lips. ' When the corpse was laid out, one of the chiefs of the Freemasons entered and gave it a blow, saying that wae the last adieu customary with the order and given to deceased members. Is it not rather the last vindictive rite prescribed for those who when dying abandon the impious sect ?