Praeclara gratulationis publicae
Praeclara gratulationis publicae is an apostolic letter from Pope Leo XIII. which he published on June 20, 1894. In this letter he calls on the Eastern and Western churches to "unity in faith". In it he goes back to the subject of Freemasonry .
To unity in faith
The reason for the many wars and revolutions in Europe lies in the disagreement of the churches, the great industrial change contributes its rest to the disputes and the labor disputes . The Christianity in Europe would torn apart by strife and disagreements that nations were exhausted by the tough competition and the wars. This has continued in the common belief, and the cause lies in barbaric customs and insane rites . Leo XIII. calls in this Apostolic Letter, which is also called an Apostolic Exhortation , to unity in action and faith. The union of the Eastern and Western churches is willed by God and will lead to peace within the Church and in Europe.
A great danger
The communities that call themselves Freemasons represent a great danger to unity in faith. Their spread threatens the Catholic nations , they would spread further and out of their hiding place against the Christian civilization . In the cities in particular they are wreaking havoc, even the worldwide spread is a great misfortune. The Freemasons would make false promises to try to undermine the piety of the divine sacraments , here they would speak out against marriage and the family , and they would try to undermine the education of the youth. They were warmongers who would endanger peace in Europe , and therefore the shameful yoke of Freemasonry must be shaken off once and for all, he especially called on the men of Italy and France to do this . The word of God will lead to victory and if this danger can be forbidden, then the unity of faith will also be restored.