Background
Several popes before Leo XIII had addressed the problems presented by speculative Freemasonry and how the principles of that society were incompatible with the teaching of the Church. Previous Papal pronouncements on Freemasonry were:
- Pope Clement XII – In Eminenti, a papal bull in 1738
- Pope Benedict XIV – Providas Romanorum, an Apostolic constitution in 1751
- Pope Pius VII – Ecclesiam a Jesu Christo, an Apostolic constitution in 1821
- Pope Leo XII – Quo Graviora (1826), an Apostolic constitution
- Pope Pius VIII – Traditi Humilitati, an encyclical in 1829
- Pope Gregory XVI – Mirari Vos, an encyclical in 1832
- Pope Pius IX – Qui Pluribus, an encyclical in 1846
Leo XIII's denunciation of Freemasonry should be seen in context of his examination of socialism (Quod Apostolici Muneris), his defence of Christian marriage (Arcanum) and on the role of government (Diuturnum). Because of the secrecy in Freemasonry, it was believed by the Church to have an enormous amount of secret discipline of its members – which was seen by the Pope as enslavement. So by this definition, although individual Masons may be decent people, they were being led to do evil things.
Read more about this topic: Humanum Genus
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