Inimica vis
| Inimica vis Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Signature date | 8 December 1892 |
| Subject | On Freemasonry |
| Number | 45 of 85 of the pontificate |
| Text | |
Inimica vis (On Freemasonry) was a Papal Encyclical addressed to the bishops of Italy.[1] It remarked on the multiple condemnations of Freemasonry over the preceding century and a half and concentrated on the local difficulties of the Italian church. It was promulgated by Leo XIII in 1892. It is still quoted in current Catholic criticisms of Freemasonry.[2]
It is viewed as reproving the Italian bishops for an apathetic response to Freemasonry[3] and it complained that some members of the Catholic clergy were co-operating with the Masonic and anticlerical government of Italy.[4] It was seen as the start of Papal "bargaining" with the forces symbolised by Freemasonry,[5] although it has also been noted that Freemasonry was denounced as a "vile sect".[6]
On the same date Inimica vis was promulgated, 18 December 1892, Pope Leo XIII wrote Custodi di quella fede, an encyclical epistle addressed to the Italian people, attacking Freemasonry.
See also
- Anti-Masonry
- Catholicism and Freemasonry
- Christianity and Freemasonry
- Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming Freemasons
- List of encyclicals of Pope Leo XIII
- Papal Documents relating to Freemasonry
References
- ^ Inimica vis, text of the encyclical.
- ^ Bearing “False” Witness Continues, Mark Alessio, The Remnant.
- ^ p. 48, That They Be One: The Social Teaching of the Papal Encyclicals, by Michael Joseph Schuck, 1991, Georgetown University Press.
- ^ Roman Catholic Church Law Regarding Freemasonry Archived 1999-01-27 at the Wayback Machine, by Reid McInvale.
- ^ The Miter and The Trowel by William G. Madison.
- ^ page 144, World Christianities, C. 1815-1914, y Sheridan Gilley, Brian Stanley, Cambridge University Press.