Is my friend barred from joining the Church because he is a Freemason?
Is my friend barred from joining the Church because he is a Freemason?
Full Question
My Freemason friend wants to become Catholic but is under the impression that he can’t because of his status as a Freemason. Is this true?
Answer
If he wants to denounce his masonic association, he can become Catholic. Because the Church prohibits any Catholic from involving with freemasonry, so remaining a mason means he cannot become Catholic. There are many reasons the two are incompatible. Read this post for more clarity.
The Church has long stated that:
Therefore, the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and, therefore, membership in them remains forbidden: The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive holy Communion
Declaration on Masonic Associations
Is my friend barred from joining the Church because he is a Freemason?
According to your logic, that clearly explains why the Pope/Cardinals/Priests have closed meeting about the children they have been abusing doesnt it, IF they had nothing to hide, yadda yadda,
Come on cant have it both ways….
According to your logic, that clearly explains why the Pope/Cardinals/Priests have closed meeting about the children they have been abusing doesnt it, IF they had nothing to hide, yadda yadda,
Come on cant have it both ways….
There are no “teachings” in freemasonry that are against the Catholic Church that are private. You can google the degree ceremonies, or anything else you want to know. There are thousands of books, magazine articles, documentaries, dvds, etc detailing just about everything there is to know. We don’t care if you know them. We just promised we wouldn’t tell you ourselves. Not because they are some sort of mystical or religious idea, but because if I can’t be trusted to keep something as silly as a handshake secret, then my word as a man isn’t worth anything. He problem is that there is so much anti-Masonic garbage out there, separating fact from fiction can be daunting. But let me give you one simple (non secret) message stated at every meeting: “And now may the blessings of God rest upon all regular masons, may brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us.” Nothing evil or wrong with that.
There are no “teachings” in freemasonry that are against the Catholic Church that are private. You can google the degree ceremonies, or anything else you want to know. There are thousands of books, magazine articles, documentaries, dvds, etc detailing just about everything there is to know. We don’t care if you know them. We just promised we wouldn’t tell you ourselves. Not because they are some sort of mystical or religious idea, but because if I can’t be trusted to keep something as silly as a handshake secret, then my word as a man isn’t worth anything. He problem is that there is so much anti-Masonic garbage out there, separating fact from fiction can be daunting. But let me give you one simple (non secret) message stated at every meeting: “And now may the blessings of God rest upon all regular masons, may brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us.” Nothing evil or wrong with that.
Mr. Kucera–the teachings of the Catholic church are public and open. That is the reason why you had access to the writings of the various Popes. On the other hand, why are the Masonic teachings kept in complete secrecy if they had nothing derogatory against the Catholic Church or anyone else? If your teachings are good and truthful, then let the whole world know about them. You need not fear of anything when you teach and speak of the truth.
Mr. Kucera–the teachings of the Catholic church are public and open. That is the reason why you had access to the writings of the various Popes. On the other hand, why are the Masonic teachings kept in complete secrecy if they had nothing derogatory against the Catholic Church or anyone else? If your teachings are good and truthful, then let the whole world know about them. You need not fear of anything when you teach and speak of the truth.
I know many Catholics who are Freemasons. In fact, it is no longer unusual to have Catholics in our fraternity, almost common place. I have never, ever heard anti-Carholic or anti-religious teachings in Masonry. But I will say this, every American Catholic needs to read all the anti-Masonic writings of the various Popes, and decide if you can support the reasons that are given for the Church being anti-Masonic. You will be shocked!
I know many Catholics who are Freemasons. In fact, it is no longer unusual to have Catholics in our fraternity, almost common place. I have never, ever heard anti-Carholic or anti-religious teachings in Masonry. But I will say this, every American Catholic needs to read all the anti-Masonic writings of the various Popes, and decide if you can support the reasons that are given for the Church being anti-Masonic. You will be shocked!
Many Freemasons deceive people and say they are Catholic, in order to discredit the credibility of the Roman Catholic Church. If any freemasons convert to Catholicism, they must reveal all and any masonic secrets that can harm the church or others in anyway. One cannot be Catholic and Freemason. No man can serve two masters, they will either love one and hate the other. Jesus reveals this and sacred Scripture.
Many Freemasons deceive people and say they are Catholic, in order to discredit the credibility of the Roman Catholic Church. If any freemasons convert to Catholicism, they must reveal all and any masonic secrets that can harm the church or others in anyway. One cannot be Catholic and Freemason. No man can serve two masters, they will either love one and hate the other. Jesus reveals this and sacred Scripture.
I have friends who are Catholics/Christians and are simultaneously members of Freemasonry. When they invited me in 2012 to join, I politely declined and told them about the negative stand of the Catholic Church against Freemasonry. Most of them insisted that Freemasonry has no teachings against the Catholic Church. One of them even told me that they have members who are Catholic priests. What a pity.
I have friends who are Catholics/Christians and are simultaneously members of Freemasonry. When they invited me in 2012 to join, I politely declined and told them about the negative stand of the Catholic Church against Freemasonry. Most of them insisted that Freemasonry has no teachings against the Catholic Church. One of them even told me that they have members who are Catholic priests. What a pity.