Is Pope Pius Ix. A Freemason?

IS POPE PIUS IX . A FREEMASON ?

1-very few years the question is sprung upon the Fraternity—is the Pope a Freemason 1 Wo have a number of original documents bearing upon this subject in our possession , and Ave have examined others , pro and con , and give below such light as

they afford , to the readers of the Keystone . AVe may premise , however , that we do not consider the question so important as some of our contemporaries seem to . Whether any single man is a Freemason is not important ; it may be curious or

interesting , but it is nothing more . So for as the Pope is concerned , Ave should respect him far more as a man if he Avere not a Freemason , for then he would not have proved recreant to his voluntarily assumed obligationsby his excommunication of his

, Brethren , merely because they were Brethren . The London Freemason of October 31 , 1871 , has an editorial on this topic , from which Ave quote as follows ; and in reply to it we do what Ave can to answer the

question it propounds . The Freemason asks : IS THE POPE A FREEMASON ? " A most important question . Yet hoAv can Ave answer it ? We have heard it repeated so often lately , Avith great

emphasis and energy of expression , that it is by some taken to be an admitted and an ascertained foot . Indeed , one or two Italian and Sicilian Lodges have , Ave believe , on the faith of the story , expelled , as far that is as they could do soBro . Pio Nono

, from Freemasonry . Now we confess to have some doubts on the subject , and we should greatly Avish to have those doubts removed . If the fact be a fact , let it by all means be established , but on the rales and laws of evidence , so far , the actuality of the

Pope ' s Masonic affiliation is , in our humble opinion , ' not proven . ' It has been stated that he was made in Ital y , a young man , just as it has been averred , that in his juvenile years he displayed proclivities for ' Giovene Italia . ' It has been announced that Avhen on an ecclfisiastical

mission m one of the South American Republics , he Avas initiated under one of the symbolic systems , or the ' Bite Ecossaise . ' But up to this hour Avhen Ave write , no one , as far as Are are aware , has everthought

well to supplement these loud assertions by simple and satisfiictory evidence . If the fact be really so , it surely can be proved to the satisfaction of all true Freemasons , and all honest men . If it be merely a device of partisan Avarfare ; a ' fraus pia' for tho purpose of discrediting an antagonist , the

sooner such an indefensible system is put a stop to the better , especially amongst Freemasons , Avho so deeply prize honour and truth at all times and in all things . " Let us first examine the affirmative evidence . We have just received from Bro .

Signer Anselmo Carpi , of Leghorn , Italy , an original document , in the Italian language , issued July lGth , 1874 , by the Lodge " Luce del Tirreno , " Avith the seal of the Lodge attached , Avhieh Lodge is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient

of Palermo , Italy . We are also under fraternal obligation to W . Bro . A . Gallico , of London , England , for a literal translation of this paper , which is such an extraordinary document that we spread it before our readersentire . It is as folloAvs :

, Mastai Ferretti , 11 . of the R . C . t , now Pope Pio IX . Letter of the W . Lodge " Luce del Tirreno , " under the jurisdiction of the G . 0 . Palermo , to the Freemasons

spread throughout the world . 1874 . lo all Brother Masons throughout the world and to all the world at large . The Lodge " Luce del Tirreno , " Or , Rio ( Elba ) , under the High and W . auspices of the Supreme Council of the 67 . 0 . of Italy of Scotch Rite A . and A ., established in Palermosends

, Health , Strength and Unity . The chief of the Roman Catholic Church , forgetful of the holy precepts bequeathed by our G . M . Jesus , and setting aside the very just teaching of the Apostle Paul , wherein he exhorts all men to speak the

truth , and never to lie ( we find it Avritten let your communication be yea , yea , nay , nay ) , has recently launched severe anathemas against our noble institution ; the more to be condemned inasmuch as he , Pio IX ., ought to remember hoAV much he owes to

our Order , and how much he formerl y Avrought in its behalf : but unfortunatel y to Pope . Mastai gratitude is not esteemed a virtue , and truth finds no shelter under the guilded domes of the Yatican ! Be it knownthereforethat AveFreemasons of

, , , the Lodge Luce del Tirreno , have the moral courage and strength to rebut slander , from whatever source it may proceed , and p 2