In eminenti apostolatus specula

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Coat of arms of Pope Clement XII.

In eminenti apostolatus specula is a papal bull from Pope Clement XII. with which he condemned Freemasonry on April 28, 1738 .

Against Freemasonry

The tone of this bull is very sharp and is directed against the lodges that have already arisen - especially in France - whose growth and spread represented a danger from the Pope's point of view. The development of these supposed " secret societies " must be stopped in order to protect the Catholic world from the associated risks or even from its destruction.

Clement XII. warned that it would be a crime against nature if these alleged " sects " were to spread, after all they supposedly kept themselves hidden from the public and if they didn't hurt anyone, they wouldn't hate the light so much. This is also the reason why these companies have long been banned and banned in several states . After internal deliberations and because of his apostolic power , he decided to condemn and forbid these societies .

Condemnation of Freemasonry

In this letter, five points in particular were listed which justified this ban:

  1. The offense against the religious tolerance of Freemasonry, which allowed the admission of "people of all religions and sects";
  2. The unbreakable silence;
  3. That this secret society disturbs the calm of the community;
  4. That Freemasonry is suspected of heresy and
  5. "From other just causes known to the Church"

Exhortation and Inquisition

In his exhortation he warns against any contact, to help them or to supply them and not to cooperate secretly or indirectly with these groups. Under threat of a strict ban and excommunication , he forbids all Christians to interact, and absolution cannot be granted in the event of a violation . He instructs all bishops and higher clergy to put an end to this heresy through the inquisition , he demands severe punishments as well as the persecution and suppression of these societies by the state powers.

See also

literature

  • Bruno Moser (ed.): The papacy - epochs and shapes . Südwest Verlag, Munich, 1983, without ISBN, book no. 03205 2
  • Alan Oslo: The Freemasons . Patmos Verlag, ISBN 978-3-491-96059-6 .

Web links