Eminenti Apostolatus Specula
Encyclopedia
In eminenti apostolatus specula was a Papal Bull
issued by Pope Clement XII
on 28 April 1738, banning Catholics from becoming Freemasons.
He noted that membership of Masonic Lodge
s, "spreading far and wide and daily growing in strength" was open to men of any religion or sect, who were sworn to secrecy. The logic at the heart of the Bull is expressed as follows:
The Bull goes on to note that the growing rumor had caused several governments which considered it a threat to their own security to cause such associations to be "prudently eliminated". An expressed danger was the private rules that bound members, "that they do not hold by either civil or canonical sanctions."
As a result, all Catholic participation in Masonry was prohibited, and bishops were to proceed against it "as well as inquisitors for heresy
...calling upon the aid of the secular arm," as it was under suspicion of heresy, partly because of its already notorious secrecy.
That Catholics are still prohibited from joining Masonic organizations was confirmed in 1983 by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger in his office of Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
issued by Pope Clement XII
Pope Clement XII
Pope Clement XII , born Lorenzo Corsini, was Pope from 12 July 1730 to 6 February 1740.Born in Florence, the son of Bartolomeo Corsini, Marquis of Casigliano and his wife Isabella Strozzi, sister of the Duke of Bagnuolo, Corsini had been an aristocratic lawyer and financial manager under preceding...
on 28 April 1738, banning Catholics from becoming Freemasons.
He noted that membership of Masonic Lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
s, "spreading far and wide and daily growing in strength" was open to men of any religion or sect, who were sworn to secrecy. The logic at the heart of the Bull is expressed as follows:
- 'But it is in the nature of crime to betray itself and to show itself by its attendant clamor. Thus these aforesaid Societies or Conventicles have caused in the minds of the faithful the greatest suspicion, and all prudent and upright men have passed the same judgment on them as being depraved and perverted. For if they were not doing evil they would not have so great a hatred of the light."
The Bull goes on to note that the growing rumor had caused several governments which considered it a threat to their own security to cause such associations to be "prudently eliminated". An expressed danger was the private rules that bound members, "that they do not hold by either civil or canonical sanctions."
As a result, all Catholic participation in Masonry was prohibited, and bishops were to proceed against it "as well as inquisitors for heresy
Roman Inquisition
The Roman Inquisition was a system of tribunals developed by the Holy See during the second half of the 16th century, responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of a wide array of crimes related to heresy, including Protestantism, sorcery, immorality, blasphemy, Judaizing and witchcraft, as...
...calling upon the aid of the secular arm," as it was under suspicion of heresy, partly because of its already notorious secrecy.
That Catholics are still prohibited from joining Masonic organizations was confirmed in 1983 by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger in his office of Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
See also
- Papal Documents relating to FreemasonryPapal Documents relating to Freemasonry-Before Pius IX:*Clement XII - In Eminenti Apostolatus - 1738*Benedict XIV - Providas Romanorum - 1751*Pius VII - Ecclesiam a Jesu Christo - 1821*Leo XII - Quo Graviora - 1826*Pius VIII - Traditi Humilitati - 1829...
- Anti-MasonryAnti-MasonryAnti-Masonry is defined as "avowed opposition to Freemasonry". However, there is no homogeneous anti-Masonic movement...
- Christianity and FreemasonryChristianity and FreemasonryChristianity and Freemasonry have had a mixed relationship, with various Christian denominations strongly discouraging or even prohibiting members from becoming Freemasons while others are supportive of Freemasonry and have friendly relations with local Masonic lodges.-Ties to Christianity:While...
- Papal ban on Freemasonry
- Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming FreemasonsClarification concerning status of Catholics becoming FreemasonsThe Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming Freemasons was a February 1981 letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Seper reiterating the Church's prohibition on Catholics becoming Freemasons....