Svobodní zednáři v dokumentech katolické církve 1738‒1878

Title variants

EN

Free Masons in the Documents of the Catholic Church 1738‒1878

• Languages of publication: CS

Abstracts

EN

The authors analytically and critically study papal statements on Free Masons during the period 1738‒1878. The period 1878‒1983 will be a subject of the following article. The Catholic Magisterium of that historical period did not fully distinguish between Free Masons, Illuminates, Carbonari and other organisations which often have different aims and methods of work. The problem is also a degree of connectedness between Free Masons and the French Revolution. There is no accusation of satanism in any of the papal documents. There is another problem when, based on its experience with Italian and maybe French Lodges, the Papacy pronounced global sentences and judgement over Free Masons of the whole world. For at least last fifty years, many of them have strongly distanced themselves from the Italian Masons of the mentioned period. The principal condemnation of indifferentism, syncretism, deism, and relativism are still valid. With regard to the differences of various Masonic groups, there is a question if these characteristics can be really fully applied on some of them. It is very irresponsible to transmit Papal statements on Free Masons, originating as reactions on the past situations and needs of the Catholic Church, into the present without critical study and understanding of contemporary connections. Furthermore, it is contrary to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and following Papal documents.

Keywords

EN

Catholic Church; Catholic Magisterium; Free Masons; Eighteenth Century; Nineteenth Century

• Publisher: Palacky University, Cyrill-Method Theological Faculty, Olomouc, Czech Republic
• Journal: Studia theologica
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 3
• Pages: 149-170

Contributors

Identifiers

DOI

10.5507/sth.2022.023