Alta Vendita
Encyclopedia
The Permanent Instruction of the Alta Vendita (commonly called the Alta Vendita) is a document, originally published in Italian
in the 19th century, purportedly produced by the highest lodge of the Italian Carbonari
.
The document details an alleged Masonic plan to infiltrate the Catholic Church and spread liberal ideas within it. The Carbonari had strong similarities to Freemasonry
, and so the document is seen by some as a Masonic document. In the nineteenth century, Pope Pius IX
and Pope Leo XIII
both asked for it to be published. It was first published by Jacques Crétineau-Joly
in his book L'Église romaine en face de la Révolution in 1859. It was popularised in the English speaking world by Monsignor George F. Dillon
in 1885 with his book the War of Anti-Christ with the Church and Christian Civilization
.
It is still propagated by many traditionalist
and sedevacantist Catholics, who believe it accurately describes the changes in the church in the post-Vatican II era.
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
in the 19th century, purportedly produced by the highest lodge of the Italian Carbonari
Carbonari
The Carbonari were groups of secret revolutionary societies founded in early 19th-century Italy. The Italian Carbonari may have further influenced other revolutionary groups in Spain, France, Portugal and possibly Russia. Although their goals often had a patriotic and liberal focus, they lacked a...
.
The document details an alleged Masonic plan to infiltrate the Catholic Church and spread liberal ideas within it. The Carbonari had strong similarities to 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...
, and so the document is seen by some as a Masonic document. In the nineteenth century, Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
and Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
both asked for it to be published. It was first published by Jacques Crétineau-Joly
Jacques Crétineau-Joly
Jacques Crétineau-Joly was a French Catholic journalist and historian.- Biography :He was born at Fontenay-le-Comte, Vendée. At first he studied theology at the seminary of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, but, feeling that he had no vocation, he left after a stay of three years, during which he received the...
in his book L'Église romaine en face de la Révolution in 1859. It was popularised in the English speaking world by Monsignor George F. Dillon
George F. Dillon
George F. Dillon was a 19th century Catholic missionary and writer from Ireland. He became well known in 1884 for having given conferences in Edinburgh about what he claimed to be a Masonic war against Christian civilization...
in 1885 with his book the War of Anti-Christ with the Church and Christian Civilization
War of Anti-Christ with the Church and Christian Civilization
The War of Anti-Christ with the Church and Christian Civilization is a book written in 1885 by an Irishman, Msgr George F. Dillon, DD. It was republished by Fr Denis Fahey in 1950 as Grand Orient Freemasonry Unmasked as the Secret Power Behind Communism...
.
It is still propagated by many traditionalist
Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical forms, public and private devotions and presentations of Catholic teachings which prevailed in the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council...
and sedevacantist Catholics, who believe it accurately describes the changes in the church in the post-Vatican II era.
See also
- Anticlericalism and FreemasonryAnticlericalism and FreemasonryThe question of whether Freemasonry is Anticlerical is the subject of debate. The Catholic Church has long been an outspoken critic of Freemasonry, and Catholic scholars have often accused the fraternity of anticlericalism. The Catholic Church forbids its members to join any masonic society under...
- New World Order (conspiracy theory)
- Grand Orient Freemasonry Unmasked as the Secret Power Behind Communism