Murder in the 33rd Degree: The Gagnon Investigation into Vatican Freemasonry

website does a review about this book and series follow up and thought I share this type of investigation with others on the topic of Freemasons in the vactican

https://onepeterfive.com/category/freemasonry/

Murder in the 33rd Degree

— Main Claims

Fr. Charles Murr’s Murder in the 33rd Degree examines Archbishop Édouard Gagnon’s alleged 1975–78 investigation into Freemasonry and corruption within the Vatican Curia.

According to Murr:

• Cardinal Sebastiano Baggio was allegedly identified as a Freemason. As head of the Congregation for Bishops, Baggio supposedly had influence over the appointment of bishops—and therefore potentially future cardinals and papal elections.
• Archbishop Annibale Bugnini was allegedly identified as a Mason and portrayed as a key figure behind the post-Vatican II liturgical reforms.
• Gagnon allegedly uncovered financial irregularities involving the Vatican Bank and other Vatican institutions.
• Murr describes intense factional struggles within the Curia, with Cardinal Jean Villot allegedly protecting Baggio and resisting Gagnon’s investigation.
• Gagnon’s offices were allegedly searched/ransacked and he received threats, suggesting attempts to obstruct the investigation.
• Gagnon reportedly presented his findings to Paul VI in 1978, shortly before the pope’s death.
• After Paul VI died, John Paul I allegedly reviewed Gagnon’s findings and was prepared to confront some of the figures involved—but died only 33 days into his pontificate.
• Murr explores whether John Paul I’s death was connected to the Vatican power struggle. Importantly, Murr has said he does not necessarily believe John Paul I was physically murdered, but that the immense stress surrounding the confrontation may have contributed to his death.

Bottom line: Murr’s central thesis is that Gagnon uncovered an alleged network of Masonic influence within the Vatican involving appointments, liturgical reform, finances and internal power struggles. However, the most serious allegations remain disputed because Gagnon’s complete three-volume dossier has never been publicly released.