[brooklyn dave]

I always thought the whole thinmg about secret societies was funny. In the US Catholic bishops were all hot and bothered about Catholics joining the Masons, so in the 1880s they founded the Knight of Columbus (not a secret society, but has a secret intitiation) Masons aren't exactly a secret society, but initiation to certain degrees are secret.

[Coleus]

it looks as though the mods unlocked this thread. Since the 1884, after the encyclical humanum genus was written catholics all over the world were barred from joining.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_18840420_humanum-genus_en.html

IMO, I would characterize both the Knights of Columbus and the Free and Accepted Mason organizations: organizations with secrets not secret organizations

[sitetest]

Dear brooklyn dave,

The Knights of Columbus wasn't started by the Catholic bishops. Our Order was started in 1882 by a parish priest, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, without any input from the hierarchy.

I wouldn't characterize the ceremonials of the Knights of Columbus as being secret. However, a Knight may not generally disclose the ceremonials honorably.


sitetest