Introduction
Origins and Missions of the Jesuits and Freemasonry
The Jesuits were founded by Ignatius of Loyola as part of the Catholic Counter-Reformation movement. The Jesuit mission centered on education, missionary work, and defending Catholic doctrine, often in opposition to Protestant reformers. Jesuit influence expanded rapidly in Europe and abroad, especially through their establishment of schools, colleges, and universities. Their operations were authorized and structured under the direct authority of the Papacy, making them one of the most powerful and centralized religious orders within the Catholic Church.
In contrast, Freemasonry emerged as a fraternal organization with roots in the operative guilds of stonemasons. It evolved into speculative Freemasonry in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, culminating in the formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717. Unlike the Jesuits, Freemasonry did not and does not function as a religious order, but as a fraternity that emphasizes moral philosophy, allegory, and personal improvement rather than theology. Its rituals draw inspiration from Biblical narratives and Enlightenment principles rather than from ecclesiastical traditions, and its membership has historically included people from a wide variety of religious backgrounds and denominations.
Historical Tension Between the Catholic Church and Freemasonry
Contrary to the notion of a Jesuit-Masonic alliance, the Catholic Church has historically condemned Freemasonry in the strongest terms. Pope Clement XII issued the bull In Eminenti Apostolatus in 1738, declaring Masonic membership incompatible with Catholic faith and practice. This condemnation was reaffirmed by subsequent Popes, including Benedict XIV, Pius VII, Leo XIII, and more recently in the 20th century by Pius XII, John Paul II, and Francis (a Jesuit). The Vatican accused Freemasonry of promoting secularism, rationalism, religious indifferentism, and other Enlightenment ideals viewed as threats to the Church.
As defenders of Catholic orthodoxy, the Jesuits have aligned themselves with these papal decrees. Far from endorsing or collaborating with Freemasonry, Jesuit theologians and leaders have been among the most vocal critics of Masonic ideals. In turn, Freemasonry has often found itself at odds with ecclesiastical authority, particularly in Catholic nations such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Austria, where it was viewed as a challenge to both religious and monarchical authority. Masons were excommunicated, arrested, expelled, or killed, and their lodges banned, destroyed, or forced underground. The idea that Jesuits secretly controlled an organization so vehemently opposed by the Church is logically and historically indefensible.
Misinterpretation of Sources and Fabricated Myths
One popular, but unreliable source for the theory is Nicolas de Bonneville's ‘The Jesuits Driven Away from Freemasonry,’ often cited as proof of Jesuit infiltration. However, the pamphlet was satirical and not intended to be read as literal history. The so-called ‘Clermont Manuscript,’ frequently invoked to support the claim, is of dubious provenance, widely dismissed by scholars, and likely a later fabrication.
Conspiracy theorists often rely on tenuous links, such as superficial similarities in terminology or ritual structure, to suggest collusion. The Jesuits' use of spiritual exercises, meditative practices, and ecclesiastical ranks are cited alongside Masonic degrees and symbolic initiation as "evidence" of common origin. Yet such features are common to many religious, educational, and esoteric systems and do not indicate direct borrowing or influence. In truth, the Scottish Rite’s development can be traced through documented Masonic channels, including the Council of the Emperors of the East and West in Bordeaux, and the efforts of figures like Etienne Morin and, later, Albert Pike, whose influential redaction of the Scottish Rite rituals shaped its modern form.
Countering the Specific Claims
Many of the arguments used to support the theory of Jesuit authorship or control of Freemasonry fall apart under close scrutiny. One common assertion is that the Jesuits and Freemasons share a common goal of global influence and ideological control. However, their objectives were not only different, but often directly opposed. The Jesuits have consistently acted in service of the Roman Catholic Church’s evangelical and doctrinal mission, whereas Freemasonry has historically advocated for religious tolerance, personal enlightenment, and secular governance - ideals which were often seen as threatening by Catholic authorities.
Another often-cited point is the existence of similar ritual forms and symbols in both organizations. While it is true that both groups employ structured ceremonies and symbolic imagery, these are used in entirely different contexts and for different purposes. Jesuit practices, such as the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, are deeply rooted in Catholic theology and spiritual discipline. Masonic rituals, in contrast, draw upon allegorical interpretations of architecture and moral instruction derived from Enlightenment values and mythic sources. The similarity in form does not imply a shared origin.
The argument that the Jesuits may have founded or infiltrated Freemasonry during their suppression in the 18th century is also problematic. When Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Jesuit Order in 1773, the Society was under siege, with its members in exile, imprisoned, or expelled from entire nations. During this same period, Freemasonry was spreading rapidly throughout Enlightenment Europe and the American colonies, guided by its own internal leadership and evolution. The notion that an embattled religious order could have secretly orchestrated the rise of a philosophical fraternity antithetical to Church teaching lacks any probability.
A final claim involves the College of Clermont in Paris, where Jesuits once taught and where later Masonic meetings reportedly took place. This coincidence has been inflated into a central plank of the theory, suggesting that the Jesuits used the College as a secret headquarters for Masonic development. Yet historical records show that the Masonic activity occurred only after the Jesuits were expelled from France, and that the College had since been repurposed. No reliable evidence supports the claim that the Jesuits were involved in or aware of these meetings.
Taken together, the claims made by conspiracy theorists rely on circumstantial associations and ahistorical assumptions. When analyzed critically and in light of established historical research, the notion of Jesuit involvement in the founding or guidance of Freemasonry is unfounded and demonstrably false.
Psychological and Sociological Roots of the Theory
This conspiracy theory gained traction through a phenomenon known as apophenia (the human tendency to perceive connections and meaning between unrelated things). The secretive nature of both Jesuits and Freemasons makes them archetypal scapegoats for those seeking simple explanations to complex historical events. During times of political unrest, religious reformation, or cultural upheaval, both institutions have been blamed for everything from revolutions to moral decay.
Such conspiracy theories often emerge from a mix of ideological hostility, misunderstanding, and fear. Anti-Catholic groups, particularly in Protestant or Enlightenment-influenced societies, have long portrayed the Jesuits as sinister agents of Papal domination. Likewise, traditionalists have accused Freemasonry of undermining religious orthodoxy and promoting secularism. By merging these anxieties, the theory offers an appealing false narrative of coordinated control.
Scholarly Consensus and Documentary Evidence
Serious historians have found no evidence of Jesuit involvement in the founding or control of Freemasonry. Records from both Masonic and Jesuit sources reveal no indication of collaboration. The philosophical, theological, and institutional differences are well documented and significant.
Academic studies of Freemasonry trace its origins to English and Scottish operative guilds and its speculative evolution to Enlightenment-era intellectual movements. Jesuit studies, by contrast, focus on the Society's educational and missionary activities, showing little overlap with Masonic traditions. Archives from both groups (papal correspondence, lodge minutes, and foundational documents) do not support the theory of collusion.
Conclusion
The notion that the Jesuits founded and control Freemasonry is a speculative narrative built on circumstantial resemblances, historical misreadings, and ideological suspicion. It lacks credible historical support, is contradicted by the antagonistic relationship between the Church and Freemasonry, and misinterprets the goals and operations of both institutions.
Ultimately, the theory persists not because of evidence, but due to the allure of secret histories and the enduring appeal of scapegoating powerful, mysterious groups. In a world where misinformation spreads rapidly and nuance is often discarded, such narratives offer certainty at the cost of truth. To effectively counter such narratives, we must rely on rigorous historical research, primary documentation, and a critical understanding of how myths originate and persist. In doing so, we not only uphold the truth about Freemasonry and the Jesuits, but also reaffirm the value of rational inquiry over ideological fantasy.
References
1. de Bonneville, N. (n.d.). Les Jesuites Chasses de la Maconnerie. Retrieved from Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/NicholasDeBonneville-LesJsuitesChasssDeLaMaonnerie
2. History of the Scottish Rite. (2024, November 2). Retrieved from Masonry Today: https://www.masonrytoday.com/index.php?new_day=2&new_month=11&new_year=2024
3. Humanum Genus. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanum_genus
4. In Eminenti Apostolatus. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_eminenti_apostolatus
5. Jesuit conspiracy theories. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesuit_conspiracy_theories
