Etsi multa luctuosa

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Etsi multa luctuosa is an encyclical of Pope Pius IX. , it was published on November 21, 1873 with the subtitle: "The Church in Italy , Germany and Switzerland ".

Actions against the Catholic Church

The Pope declares in his encyclical that there are several campaigns , countercurrents and actions against the Catholic Church . These included:

  • the existing Kulturkampf in the German Empire , the restriction of priestly activities and priestly training by the Prussian government
  • the suppression of the Gregorian university by the Italian administration
  • the expulsion of the Vicar Apostolic of Geneva from Switzerland
  • the approval of the state administration when filling pastoral positions and the required oath
  • anti-Catholic laws in the Swiss cantons of Solothurn , Bern , Basel , Aargau and Zurich
  • Suppression of Catholic priests by the judiciary and interference in the pastoral and apostolic powers of the clergy
  • Overall, he sees the existence of the Catholic Church in these countries threatened, because these governments would harass the priests in the fulfillment of their duties and restrict their development.

Excommunication of the Old Catholics

Excommunication and revocation of the episcopal ordination of the first bishop of the Old Catholic parishes Josef Humbert Reinkens, whom he dubbed a pseudo-bishop. All those who supported him, voted for him and provided him with resources would also be exposed to the ban of the Holy See . The Pope declares, proclaims and orders their excommunication and forbids any social exchange with these "elements". In addition, he explains that even greeting those groups of people is not permitted.

Against Freemasonry

In this encyclical Pope Pius IX judges. Again allegations against Freemasonry , he condemns their movement and describes them as the ones who had fueled the conflict. He calls them the helpers of Satan and warns against any contact with them and the secret societies . His predecessors had already fought against these societies with all their might, but it was difficult to take action against this plague. It was not finally possible to fight these gangs. It would be they who would strive for the bulwark against the highest power. Now they would turn against the Church of God and try to falsify the truth.

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