'Some writers, chiefly continental, apply the term Freemasonry not only to the Freemasons proper, but also to all secret organizations which seek to undermine Christianity and the political and social institutions that have Christianity for their basis...some writers trace Freemasonry to the heresies of Eastern origin that prevailed during the Early and Middle Ages in certain parts of Europe, such as those of the Gnostics, Manichaeans, and Albigenses, some of whose mischievous tenets are, no doubt, apparent in the sect....Freemasonry in the meantime had split up into numerous sects, or 'rites,' all working to the common effect of destroying a belief in the divine revelation of Christianity.....Freemasonry is essentially opposed to the belief in the personality of God, whose name in the Masonic rituals veils the doctrine of blind force only governing the universe. It is also essentially subversive of legitimate authority, for by professing to furnish man with an all-sufficient guide and help to conduct, it makes him independent of the Church [the Roman Catholic Church], and tends, in spite of its occasional protests of loyalty, to bring all governments into contempt. The sect has been repeatedly condemned by learned and respectable men of all countries, Protestant and Catholic. Six Papal Bulls have been directed against it - viz. 'In eminenti,' Clement XII, 1378; 'Providas,' Benedict XIV, 1751; 'Ecclesiam Jesu Christi,' Pius VII, 1821; 'Qui graviora,' Leo XII, 1826; 'Quanta cura,' Pius IX, 1864; 'Humanum genus,' Leo XIII, 1884" (A Catholic Dictionary, St John's Seminary, Wonersh, 1960, pgs. 360, 361.)
As we can clearly see, the church of Rome before the Second Vatican Council, had much to say on this cult, and with deep concern! In fact, this official dictionary dedicates nearly three pages to it, out of 860 pages.
So it may surprise the reader that in the official catechism of 1994, with 691 pages covering a whole multitude of subjects, the topic of freemasonry and secret societies ISN'T MENTIONED ONCE!
http://www.excatholicsforchrist.com/a rticles.php?PageURL=rccfreemasonry.htm
Runtime: 04:40
Added: March 10, 2010
|
Views: 218
|
Category: World Religions /
Roman Catholicism
