Early History of Masonry


	The first Papal condemnation of Freemasonry came in 1738 in a Bull from Pope Clement XII. Clement XII did not attack Freemasonry's philosophy, ethics, fraternalism, symbols, oaths or non-sectarian positions. Clement XII's objections were that Freemasonry was formed into a "Free association", that Masons "met with secrecy", with "private ceremonies", and protected by "heavy punishments", and "for other motives known to us."

	Most historians agree that the vague reference to "other motives" related to suspicion of political activity in opposition to a Catholic returning to the throne of England. Besides, here was a group meeting behind closed doors without the sanction of either Church or State!!! Clement XII's Bull was confirmed by his successor in 1751 without the addition of any new charges. At that time, before Papal Infallibility, Papal Bulls had to be ratified by a Catholic State before they could become law. The first two Bulls were ratified in Spain, Portugal and a few other states, where Freemasons were pursued by the inquisition.



			Errata
			The Papal Bulls against Freemasonry
	Although the Roman Catholic opposition to freemasonry is common knowledge, it should be known also that there were originally a great many Roman Catholic freemasons in all the countries where freemasonry flourished, among them being priests and high dignitaries of the Church, a condition which held good for many years (indeed, all through the eighteenth century in some countries), even after Pope Clement XII in 1738 and Benedict XIV in 1751 had issued their Bulls denouncing freemasonry. In Liége, Belgium (to cite an instance given by Count Goblet d'Alviella), the Roman Catholic Bishop Velbrück, who ruled his ecclesiastical Principality from 1772 to 1784, was a devoted freemason, as were many of his canons and officials. One of these, the Rev. Canon de Geloes, was founder and first Master of La Parfaite Intelligence, at Liége, which was first a French and later a Belgian lodge, while another, the Rev. Canon Nicolas Devaux, was Master of another Liége lodge, La Parfaite Égalité; other instances could be given. It is to be assumed that it was the comparative inattention paid to the Bulls in some quarters that led to a whole series of Papal edicts, beginning in 1821, confirming and renewing them.
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	The Roman Catholic objections to freemasonry are not difficult to understand, even though we, as freemasons, do not acknowledge their soundness. A pamphlet, Freemasonry (revised edition, 1935), published by the Catholic Truth Society, after describing Anglo-Saxon freemasons as "inoffensive and well-meaning people" and admitting that freemasonry is "beneficial to the country, or at any rate quite harmless," then makes quite clear that the solemn oath of secrecy is one of the "two main grounds of objection," the other and apparently more serious one being that freemasonry " tends to undermine belief in Catholic Christianity by substituting for it what is practically a rival religion based on deistic or naturalistic principles." In reply it should be said that freemasonry is not claimed to be a religion. It is a system of morality, of philosophy. A candidate for its privileges is entitled to hold what religious principles and beliefs he pleases; the Craft will not belittle them and will respect their holder as long as he brings into freemasonry just one all-essential part of his code-a belief in the "Glorious Architect of heaven and earth." Freemasonry calls upon its members to practice the sacred duties of morality, and offers itself, as the Ancient Charges tell us, as "the centre of union between good men and true, and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance."