New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-22
THE POPE'S ANTI-MAS ONRY.
IT IS DIRECTED AGAINST FRENCH AND
ITALIAN ATHEISTIC LODGES RATHER
THAN AGAINST AMERICANS
OF THE CRAFT
plea for peace,

or all the subjects touched upon by Leo XIII
in the remarkable encyclical just issued land
which. II we are to credit the reports that reach
us from Rome concerning the health Of the
cradle Pontn IS destined TO be his lasO there IL
probably none more calculated to interest the
American people than that which refers TO Free
Masonry. The Pope once again condemns the
craft "as defyng God" as 'assailing Christian
institutions" as "ridcullng the sacraments as
mere superstitons' and as aiming at the de-
s,ructon Of the popular respect for the DIVINE
Power" These denunciations which have come
from the Vatican at different intervals during the
last three decades must sound strange and IN
comprehensive 10 the Free Masons Of the United
States and England. II would be wrong TO -
tribute the luminosity OF the Roman Catholic
Church however. toward the institution to mere
big9trv or to clerical tyranny and reaction. It is
based on quite different grounds. which can only
be explained by calling attention to the radical
difference that exists between American and
British Masonry and that OF France. Italy and
Austria Were the brethren Of these three coun-
tries like those OF America, the Church OF Rome
would probably never have felt Itself impelled 10
mathematics the craft and 10 object 10 Roman
Catholics becoming affiliated Herewith. Indeed
"a long as they adhered to the original doctrines
of the order the Papacy maintained passive
ard even friendly attitude toward the craft %
which many eminent preates have belonged
When in lS4S however. continental Masonry be-
gan ~ devote l,s resources and its activity 70
,l,,ics instead ~ 10 works II charity and benev-
,lspce the attitude Of the Church Of Rome un-
derweut A change for the worse. and since the
schsm has taken place between the lodges OF
France. Italy and Austria and those or America
and Great Britain. the Vatican has considered
II necessary 10 condemn Masonry ana 10 fgh' III
with all the means at rs command.
The cause OF the objection 81 the Roman CATH
Ollie Church to Masonry-and by that mean
continental Masonry-is the very same as that OF
the schisrn between the latter and the American
and British lodges It is the identification Of
French and Italian Masonry with atheism-athe-
ism, too Of the most aggressive and militant
character. In all the documents and rites OF the
craft in English-speak!pg countries figure the
,,vs,ic letters A. y q. A. L. which mean IN
the name Of the Grand Architect Of the Uni
verse and a profession Of belief In the Deity
constitutes part and parcel Of the initiation Oh
the brethren of the order. In me I"oses "a
Franc. and Italy. however the use OF these
svmbol.cal letters has been abolished and refer
once 10 the Divinity I'm any shape or form mas
been strictly forbidden. strangely enough TINS
elimination Of all religious element from the
French and Italian lodges owes Its origin 20 NJ
Iittre the compiler OF the celebrated frehch NC
tionarv. who subsequently died fervent ana
.,.., Ligoted Roman Catholic. To him belongs
ihe chief burden OF responsibility FOR measure
that has become an overwhelming obstacle to
the principal aim Of Freemasonry which Is the
establishment Of sentiments Of brotherhood ana
union not only between individuals. but also De-
tween nations The moment this action oil the
Grand Orient Of France and Italy became known
lecraes wore AT once issued by the Masonic Grand
Masters Of Great Britain. the United states.
Spain Portugal and Prussia. as well as sweden
prohibiting the brethren Of their respective ma
tionalitles from attending any French or l'aiiah
,odo, meetings or even from entering into Ma
sonic Intercourse with members OF the 'alic VI
Italian rite
II should. therefore, be thoroughly borne IN
mind that the nathemas Of the Church are III
rected not so much against American Ehghsh
or even Spanish and Portuguese Masohs Out
mainly against those Of Italy and France Inc
octi,.itv Of the brotherhood In these last two
countries is neither benevolent nor social ou'
nurelv politcal. and its openly avowed object Is
the overthrow Of the Church and the annihiiaion
of every form OF religious belief Among Its pub
,,o,,. doclared aims-I quote from French and
Italian Masonic writings and speeches-are the
exclusion NJ every Catholic or religious element
from, ALI publlc administrations. from hospitals
schools. from the councs that govern the desu-
MES Of the country. from academical ana o'her
cornorate institutions. from committees ana la"-
iIIes-and exclusion from everything everywhere
and forever" and the abolition In schools OF
every kind Of religious instruction because the
otate which ought to be absolutely Atheistic, has
the inalienable right and duty to form the heart
and spirit OF It's citizens" and. again TO lay
religion waste in It's foundations and In Its very
so,,rces NJ fe-namely. In the school and in the
family" The Italian lodges. moreover. proclaim
,beir determination to secure the suppression OF
all religious corporations the confiscation or all
ecclesiastical property and the abolition of the
pa,ocv" which the Grand Orient OF Rome de-
c,ores to be "the impacable and deadly enemy OF
Italy"
II these were merely empty threats the Vatican
could afford to treat them with contempt But
they are quite the reverse. for Of the 5o4 men,
hers Of the Italian Chamber OF Deputies there are
no less than 300 who openly avowed Free