
This article has been brought to our attention, which as Catholics we can only agree with. Obviously it is not our intent to say that Ezra Pound did not write good poems or other good things about politics. Certainly, as with many other writers, that we could define “in the area” some discernment must be used. In the present case, pay attention to the background indicated, which is not compatible with the Faith. (n.d.r.)
Reporting of Federici Studies Center
Ezra Pound and Theosophy, by Don Francesco Ricossa (from the magazine “Sodalitium”, n. 67, December 2015)
Just one look is enough. The noble figure of the poet Ezra Pound commands respect from those who look at his features. His chains deserve even more respect. The poet who sang the beauty of Italy in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and who condemned usury, the man who remained faithful despite knowing he was facing human defeat, can only arouse instinctive admiration. Precisely for this reason I thought it was my duty to warn Catholics faithful to tradition, so that respect for man does not turn into adherence to the thoughts of Ezra Pound. The Catholic militant must be Catholic: nor liberal, huh, socialist. And if some - in economic matters - are tempted by the principles of liberalism, others do not avoid the mistakes of socialism, even when they delude themselves into thinking they are following a "third way" which is not the case, but, that indicated by the magisterium of the Church (which is not third, but well before the other two). Among them, there are many who refer to themselves explicitly or implicitly, directly or indirectly, to the thought, or the name of Ezra Pound. That's not my intention, here, examine this thought. I will limit myself exclusively to informing our readers about the environments in which this thought found its cultural origins, so that from the source we can better evaluate the watercourse from which we should - according to some - drink. For this purpose, Luca Gallese's volume will guide me, The Origins of Fascism by Ezra Pound (Ares Editions, Milano, 2005), which can be supplemented by Ezra Pound's The God. Catholicism & mystery religions (Ares Editions, Milano, 2011), by Andrea Colombo. The Ares publishing house is, as they say, “close to Opus Dei”, and has a “Poundian” necklace. And the authors are both admirers of Ezra Pound, so much so that Gallese's volume is honored with a preface by Giano Accame, and that of Columbus with an introduction by Mary de Rachewiltz, the poet's daughter. What emerges from the two volumes cited, particularly from Gallese's, it therefore does not come from sources hostile to Catholicism, nor from sources hostile to Pound. Nevertheless, the cultural debt that Pound has towards the Theosophical movement of Colonel Olcott and Madame Blavatski is evident, and therefore with the Masonic and occult world. Hence the title of our article.
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