Is the Papal Crucifix Satanic?

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I appreciate Br. Rich's and Jean Bouchard's response to my original question regarding the symbolism of the Papal Crucifix however, I have come across a "Conservative" Catholic Book entitled "The Broken Cross: The Hidden Secrets of the Vatican." The book claims that the Papal crucifix, carried by Pope John Paul II, represents a distorted figure of Jesus Christ as well as a bent cross and has been used by Satanists and black magicians since the Middle Ages. Is this true?

-- D.J. Deeb (djdeeb@yahoo.com), October 24, 1999

Answers

D.J.,

While I cannot speak to your original question, I did some cursory research on your reference out of curiosity. The only references I found on the web to Mr Piers Compton and the work you cited was in white supremacy sites (KKK and the like) and New World Order conspiracy sites. That alone calls into question the veracity of the work . . . I felt creppy just visiting those places.

I clipped and pasted a paragraph from one of the NWO order sites just to give folks a reference point in this discussion. Please everyone, in no way do I endorse this as opinion or fact. Personally, any and everything published by white supremacists and Illuminati conspiracists is fictictious trash at best.

One NWO cite stated this about the book you mentioned:

"The Vatican has been infiltrated over many years by the Illuminati. This is easily proven by the fact that in 1738 Pope Clement XII issued a Papal Bull which stated that any Catholic who became a Mason would be excommunicated, a very serious punishment. In 1884 Pope Leo XIII issued a proclamation stating that Masonry was one of the secret societies attempting to "revive the manners and customs of the pagans" and "establish Satan's kingdom on Earth." Piers Compton, in his book The Broken Cross, traces the infiltration of the Catholic Church by the Illuminati. He has found the use of the all-seeing eye in the triangle by leading Catholics and by the Jesuits. It was used in the seal of the Philadelphia Eucharistic Congress in 1976. It was on a special issue of Vatican stamps in 1978, announcing the final Illuminati victory to the world. Mr. Compton claims that Pope John XXIII wore the "all-seeing eye in the triangle" on his personal cross. Compton is adamant that several hundred leading Catholic priests, bishops and cardinals are members of secret societies. He quotes an article in an Italian Journal that lists more than 70 Vatican offlcials, including Pope Paul VI's private secretary, the director general of Vatican radio, the Archbishop of Florence, the prelate of Milan, the assistant editor of the Vatican newspaper, several Italian bishops, and the abbot of the Order of St. Benedict. Those are only the ones that are known and only the ones known in Italy. It is widely believed that this Pope, John Paul XXII, is a member of the Illuminati. I believe, according to my research, that it is true. The best indication of infiltration is that on November 27,1983, the Pope retracted all of the Papal Bulls against Freemasonry and allowed Catholics, after several hundred years, to again become members of secret societies without fear of excommunication. The goal of the Illuminati to elect one of their own to the Papacy appears to have come to fruition. If that is the case, the New World Order is just on the horizon. Now is the time."

-- David Bowerman (dbowerman@blazenet.net), October 24, 1999.


I can't comment on the orginal question, but I do think that the paragraph quoted by David contains some truth. I'm not suggesting that the beliefs held by NWO's and white supremacists are valid, but surely the infiltration by Masonic orders into many churches must be a cause for concern. The existence of practising Masons within the RCC and other churches) is not "fictitious trash".

There was a huge public argument a few years ago in Jersey(UK, Channel Islands, where I come from) when the local Masons wanted to hold a service/event in the island's central Anglican church(which may be classified as a cathedral - I'm not sure). I can't remember if the Masons were allowed to do what they wanted, but it would have been very sad if they were.

Crompton's book is not invalid because it is being cited by racist lunatics - does the fact that these same groups cite the Bible undermine the validity of scripture? Many people(including catholics) have tried to expose the less savoury elements in the RCC - good luck to them. I just wish they weren't treated so harshly by theChurch "authorities".

-- Matthew Pope (mdpope@hotmail.com), October 25, 1999.


This dicussion I feel is truly redudant as the deposit of faith within the Church established by Jesus Christ will never ever change. The Institution itself may come into question but never the faith.

As to our Pope allowing Catholics to join the Masons that is news to this man indeed. Is this for real or again some conveluted conception?

-- jean bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), October 25, 1999.


I feel that if you need to question your religioin then you have no faith. Faith if what you believe not what the pope does. i do find the questions to be interesting.

-- kara ann (karaann20@hotmail.com), August 22, 2003.

The cross the pope is carrying that seems to be in question is the shepherd staff. This is the staff by our pope instead of a crosier (the traditional staff of office for bishops). The staff signifies the pope’s place as shepherd of the Church. The staff was adopted by Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-78) when he was elected. Rather than use a symbol of jurisdictional authority (the crosier), Paul adopted what was termed a pastoral staff. The staff was designed by Italian artist Lello Scorzelli in the shape of a highly stylized crucifix. The staff was used by both Popes John Paul I and John Paul II. In 1990, a new, slightly re-designed staff was presented to the pope in honor of his birthday. This staff is still in use today.

There is absolutely no connection between the shepherd staff and the Antichrist. As with the supposed connection between the pope and the Illuminati, this is merely another of the often vicious lies perpetrated by various anti-Catholic groups. A Catholic still cannot be a member of the Freemasons. The Church has imposed the penalty of excommunication on Catholics who become Freemasons. The penalty of excommunication for joining the Masonic Lodge was explicit in the 1917 code of canon law (canon 2335), and it is implicit in the 1983 code (canon 1374). Because the revised code of canon law is not explicit on this point, some drew the mistaken conclusion that the Church's prohibition of Freemasonry had been dropped. As a result of this confusion, shortly before the 1983 code was promulgated, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a statement indicating that the penalty was still in force. This statement was dated November 26, 1983 and may be found in 13/27 (Nov. 15, 1983), 450. see: http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMASN1.HTM Though Freemasons use the eye inside a triangle symbol, they did not originate it. It is originally a Christian symbol for the Trinity which they copied from us. I suggest you read the following: http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/BACAFM.HTM http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/CAMASON1.HTM http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/WHATMAS.HTM

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), August 22, 2003.



Your wrong about Catholic Church dropping its stance against Masons. Here is what Cardinal Ratzinger said:

Declaration on Masonic Associations

English Translation of a Latin Document from the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith November 26, 1983: It has been asked whether there has been any change in the Church's decision in regard to Masonic associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly, unlike the previous code. This sacred congregation is in a position to reply that this circumstance is due to an editorial criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise unmentioned inasmuch as they are contained in wider categories. Therefore, the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and, therfore, membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful, who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the declaration of this sacred congregation issued Feb. 17,1981. In an audience granted to the undersigned cardinal prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this sacred congregation. Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Nov. 26, 1983

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Prefect Father Jerome Hamer, O.P. Titular Archbishop of Lorium Secretary

-- Bill Richer (molon4labe@aol.com), February 25, 2004.


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