Dall’alto Dell’apostolico Seggio by Pope Leo XIII
- Very Average Joe
- Aug 11
- 5 min read
Pope Leo XIII (b. 2 March 1810 – d. 20 July 1903), born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci, began his pontificate on 20 February 1878. His papacy is the fourth longest in the history of the Church. He is known for having composed the Prayer to Archangel St Michael and for the encyclical “Humanum Genus” on freemasonry published on 20 April 1884.
Related to this “war” between the Church and freemasonry, the encyclical “Dall’alto Dell’apostolico Seggio” was published on 15 October 1890 regarding Italy more specifically. The document is approximately 5,800 words in 20 paragraphs.
Leo XIII begins by emphasizing the dangers to the Church and Italy, that “[i]f only Our person were concerned”, it would not be an issue.
As the enemy makes no truce, so neither you nor We must remain silent or inert.
The pope does not intend to repeat every detail since there is nothing new but to provide an overview, “to group them into one picture, so as to draw out for general instruction the consequences which flow from them”.
The facts are incontestable which have happened in the clear light of day; not separated one from another, but so connected together as in their series to reveal with fullest evidence a system of which they are the actual operation and development. The system is not new; but the audacity, the fury, and the rapidity with which it is now carried out, are new. It is the plan of the sects that is now unfolding itself in Italy, especially in what relates to the Catholic religion and the Church, with the final and avowed purpose, if it were possible, of reducing it to nothing.
Under a political pretext, they aim to overthrow the civil power of the pope in order to enslave if not destroy supreme spiritual power of the pope.
This is followed by the suppression of religious orders, thereby reducing the number of those working for the Church. The obligation of military service extended to the religious also contributes to this. And then there is the typical confiscation of ecclesiastical property or to do so indirectly by “charging it with enormous burdens”.
Public manifestation of the Catholic faith is then either forbidden or impeded under some other pretext. This includes “civil marriage” and the education system. In short, attack the family and the (formation of) children.
This, of course, was not isolated to Italy, but Italy was one of the countries that had a heavier and deeper influence. This “realization of the Masonic program” was (and still is) achieved by “sectarian rulers or of men subject to the sects”.
The rigorous application of all laws now in force, which aim at securing the absolute independence of civil society from clerical influence. … The regulation of all ecclesiastical property, starting from the principle that its ownership belongs to the State, and its administration to the civil power. The exclusion of every Catholic or clerical element from all public administrations, from pious works, hospitals, and schools, from the councils which govern the destinies of the country, from academical and other unions, from companies, committees, and families, an exclusion from everything, everywhere, and forever. Instead, the Masonic influence is to make itself felt in all the circumstances of social life, and to become master and controller of everything. Hereby the way will be smoothed towards the abolition of the Papacy…
Leo XIII then calls on the Church hierarchy to use whatever means available
…for the formation of a Clergy learned and full of the spirit of Jesus Christ, for the Christian education of youth, for the extirpation of evil doctrines, for the defense of Catholic truths, and for the maintenance of the Christian character and spirit of family life.
In other words, educate the masses of the conspiracy against the Church so that “they will recognize how necessary it is to cease from everything that is the work of the sects … as being undoubtedly infected by the anti-Christian spirit”. The pope then mentions the press which the enemies use and likewise the faithful should also use.
Moreover, seeing that the chief instrument employed by our enemies is the press, which in great part receives from them its inspiration and support, it is important that Catholics should oppose the evil press by a press that is good, for the defense of truth, out of love for religion, and to uphold the rights of the Church.
The paragraph below is reproduced in full, summing up the importance of religion in the family and society.
All know with what salutary effect and in how many ways the influence of religion penetrates society. It is beyond dispute that sound public and private morality gives honor and strength to States. But it is equally certain that, without religion there is no true morality, either public or private. From the family, solidly based on its natural foundations, comes the life, the growth, and the energy of society. But without religion, and without morality, the domestic partnership has no stability, and the family bonds grow weak and waste away. The prosperity of peoples and of nations comes from God and from His blessings. If a people does not attribute its prosperity to Him, but rises up against Him, and in the pride of its heart tacitly tells Him that it has no need of Him, its prosperity is but a semblance, certain to disappear so soon as it shall please the Lord to confound the proud insolence of His enemies. It is religion which, penetrating to the depth of each one’s conscience, makes him feel the force of duty and urges him to fulfill it. It is religion which gives to rulers feelings of justice and love towards their subjects; which makes subjects faithful and sincerely devoted to their rulers; which makes upright and good legislators, just and incorruptible magistrates, brave and heroic soldiers, conscientious and diligent administrators. It is religion which produces concord and affection between husband and wife, love and reverence between parents and their children; which makes the poor respect the property of others, and causes the rich to make a right use of their wealth. From this fidelity to duty, and this respect for the rights of others come the order, the tranquillity, and the peace, which form so large a part of the prosperity of a people and of a State. Take away religion, and with it all these immensely precious benefits would disappear from society.
This applies specifically to Italy as well, especially given its history of military campaigns in defense of Christianity, the universities, and institutions for the relief of suffering.
What religion has known how to do and has done in former times, it can do also now with a virtue ever fresh and vigorous. To take away religion from Italy is to dry up at once the most abundant source of inestimable help and benefits.
The pope concludes the encyclical that the Church is accorded “real liberty and full exercise of their right” so that it can do its job.
This, of course, does not restrict the liberties of the people but Leo XIII does emphasize that it be “not allowed to degenerate into license”. This is an obvious reference to the humanism promoted by freemasonry.
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