Etsi nos

Etsi nos is an encyclical of Pope Leo XIII. to the Italian episcopate and the Italian clergy . It was published on February 15, 1882 and is subtitled “On the Conditions in Italy”.

Relationship between Church and State

In this Apostolic Circular he laments the path that Italy has taken in relation to the Church. This relationship not only threatens Italy, but turns against the civil state and religion . His accusations were directed against Freemasonry and the Carbonari , which he believed to be a Masonic Association. This so called "sect" is the main evil.

Against Freemasonry

He attacks Freemasonry sharply and names as its concrete goals the destruction of the Church, Christianity and society in general. For him, the Freemasons are " the enemy who strikes at lightning speed from the darkness of a hidden conspiracy ".

Against liberalism and rationalism

Just as vehemently as his predecessor Pius IX. in this encyclical he condemned the Freemasons as "a secret organization" and secular liberalism . He has also criticized rationalism, rationalism in the sense that the mind is the main source of knowledge and spiritual truths.

See also

• List of papal acts and pronouncements against Freemasonry and secret societies

Web links

• Text of the encyclical in English