- Inimica vis
Inimica vis (On Freemasonry) was a
Papal Encyclical addressed to the bishops of Italy. [ [http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/L13MS4.HTM Inimica vis] , text of the encyclical]It remarked on the multiple condemnations of Freemasonry over the preceding century and a half and concentrated on the local difficulties of the Italian church. It was promulgated by
Leo XIII in1892 . It is still quoted in current Catholic criticisms of Freemasonry. [ [http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/Archives%20-%20News/archive-news-2005-0831.htm Bearing “False” Witness Continues] , Mark Alessio, The Remnant]It is viewed as reproving the Italian bishops for an apathetic response to Freemasonry [p. 48, "That They Be One: The Social Teaching of the Papal Encyclicals", by Michael Joseph Schuck, 1991, Georgetown University Press] and it complained that some members of the Catholic clergy were co-operating with the Masonic and anticlerical government of Italy. [ [http://www.io.com/~janebm/churchlaw.html ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH LAW REGARDING FREEMASONRY] , by Reid McInvale] It was seen as the start of Papal "bargaining" with the forces symbolised by Freemasonry, [ [http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Essays/miter-trowel.html The Miter and The Trowel] by William G. Madison] ] although it has also been noted that Freemasonry was denounced as a "vile sect". [page 144, "World Christianities, C. 1815-1914", y Sheridan Gilley, Brian Stanley, Cambridge University Press]
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.