Providas Romanorum
Encyclopedia
Providas Romanorum was a Apostolic constitution
promulgated by Pope Benedict XIV on May 18, 1751. The constitution condemned Freemasonry
on the grounds of its naturalism, demand for oaths, secrecy, religious indifferentism, and possible threat to the church and state. It confirmed the previous constitution Eminenti Apostolatus Specula
. It specifically forbids Roman Catholics from seeking membership in any Masonic group.
Apostolic constitution
An apostolic constitution is the highest level of decree issued by the Pope. The use of the term constitution comes from Latin constitutio, which referred to any important law issued by the Roman emperor, and is retained in church documents because of the inheritance that the canon law of the...
promulgated by Pope Benedict XIV on May 18, 1751. The constitution condemned Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
on the grounds of its naturalism, demand for oaths, secrecy, religious indifferentism, and possible threat to the church and state. It confirmed the previous constitution Eminenti Apostolatus Specula
Eminenti Apostolatus Specula
In eminenti apostolatus specula was a Papal Bull issued by Pope Clement XII on 28 April 1738, banning Catholics from becoming Freemasons.He noted that membership of Masonic Lodges, "spreading far and wide and daily growing in strength" was open to men of any religion or sect, who were sworn to...
. It specifically forbids Roman Catholics from seeking membership in any Masonic group.
See also
- Papal Documents relating to FreemasonryPapal Documents relating to Freemasonry-Before Pius IX:*Clement XII - In Eminenti Apostolatus - 1738*Benedict XIV - Providas Romanorum - 1751*Pius VII - Ecclesiam a Jesu Christo - 1821*Leo XII - Quo Graviora - 1826*Pius VIII - Traditi Humilitati - 1829...
- Anti-MasonryAnti-MasonryAnti-Masonry is defined as "avowed opposition to Freemasonry". However, there is no homogeneous anti-Masonic movement...
- Christianity and FreemasonryChristianity and FreemasonryChristianity and Freemasonry have had a mixed relationship, with various Christian denominations strongly discouraging or even prohibiting members from becoming Freemasons while others are supportive of Freemasonry and have friendly relations with local Masonic lodges.-Ties to Christianity:While...
- Catholicism and Freemasonry
- Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming FreemasonsClarification concerning status of Catholics becoming FreemasonsThe Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming Freemasons was a February 1981 letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Seper reiterating the Church's prohibition on Catholics becoming Freemasons....