Etsi multa

Etsi multa luctuosa is an encyclical of Pope Pius IX, it was on November 21, 1873 with the subtitle: . "The Church in Italy, Germany and Switzerland " was published.

Actions against the Catholic Church

The Pope explains in his encyclical that there would be several campaigns, counter currents and actions against the Catholic Church. These included:

• The existing Kulturkampf in the German Empire, the restriction of priestly activities and the training of priests by the Prussian government
• The suppression of the Gregorian University by the Italian administration
• The expulsion of the Vicar Apostolic of Geneva in Switzerland
• The consent of the state administration in the filling of pastors and the required oath
• Anti-Catholic laws in the Swiss cantons of Solothurn, Bern, Basel, Zurich and Aargau
• Suppression Catholic priest by the judiciary and the action in the pastoral and apostolic responsibilities of the clergy
• Overall, he sees in these countries, the existence of the Catholic Church threatened, because these governments would annoy the priests in their duties, and restricts their development.

Excommunication of the Old Catholics

Excommunication and abolition of episcopal consecration of the first bishop of the Old Catholic communities Josef Reinkens Humbert, whom he dubs as a pseudo - bishop. All who supported him, and had chosen him have aids can get, the spell of the Holy See would also be suspended. The Pope explains proclaimed their excommunication and orders and forbids any social exchange with these " elements." In addition, he explains, even the welcome of those groups was illicit.

Against Freemasonry

In this encyclical Pope Pius IX directed. again accusations against Freemasonry, he condemned the move and called it than that which would have fueled the conflict. He calls them the helpers of Satan and warns against any contact with them and the secret societies. Even his predecessor had fought with all his might against these companies, but it is difficult to take action against this plague. It was not finally managed to fight these gangs. They were, who sought the bulwark against the supreme power. Now they would turn against the Church of God and try to distort the truth.