Thursday, February 8, 2007
Why Catholics Cannot be Freemasons: What to Know and How to Get out!

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Catholics-Cannot-be-Masons/dp/0895558815/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=acatlif-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=PQRKVW2NF6S5PW6M&creativeASIN=0895558815

No organization has been more condemned by the Church, and rightfully so, than the masons. The first condemnation against Freemasonry given by Pope Clement XII per In Eminenti (1738) was repeated and even extended by Benedict XIV (1751), Pius VII (1821), Leo XII in Quo Graviora (1826), Pius VIII (1829), Gregory XVI (1832), Pius IX (Qui Pluribus in 1846, 1849, 1864, 1865, 1869, 1873), and by Pope Leo XIII in both Humanum Genus (1884) and Custodi di Quella Fede (1890). 

Those who would like to better understand the errors of the freemasons should pick up a copy of “Why Catholics Cannot be Masons” written by John Salza , a Catholic attorney and former 32nd degree Mason, who explains why the Masons and the Shriners are actually a secretive, false religion.

Is it still forbidden to join the freemasons or similar organizations? 

Yes! The Papal Bull issued by Pope Clement XII (On Freemasonry) in 1738 stated in part: "with the plenitude of the Apostolic power do hereby determine and have decreed that these same Societies, Companies, Assemblies, Meetings, Congregations, or Conventicles of Liberi Muratori or Francs Massons, or whatever other name they may go by, are to be condemned and prohibited, and by Our present Constitution, valid for ever, We do condemn and prohibit them."

The Holy Father continued later on by stating clearly: “…[Catholics] must stay completely clear of such Societies, Companies, Assemblies, Meetings, Congregations or Conventicles, under pain of excommunication for all the above mentioned people, which is incurred by the very deed without any declaration being required, and from which no one can obtain the benefit of absolution, other than at the hour of death, except through Ourselves or the Roman Pontiff of the time.” 

The first Code of Canon law in 1917 explicitly declared that Catholics who joined a Masonic organization incurred a penalty of ipso facto excommunication: 
Can 2335: Affiliation With Masonic or Similar Societies. Those who join a Masonic sect or other societies of the same sort, which plot against the Church or against legitimate civil authority, incur ipso facto an excommunication simply reserved to the Holy See.
The result of membership in the freemasons is automatic excommunication. Yet, some question if this is still the case due to the change of wording in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which does not specifically mention the masons, when it states:
Can. 1374. A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict.
In order to clarify the issue, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a declaration on Nov. 26, 1983, signed by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, which states:
“It has been asked whether there has been any change in the Church’s decision in regard to Masonic associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly, unlike the previous Code. 
“This Sacred Congregation is in a position to reply that this circumstance in due to an editorial criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise unmentioned inasmuch as they are contained in wider categories. 
“Therefore, the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association 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.”
Take Action Against Masonry

Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum University acknowledges that unfortunately many people view the masons as a mere civic organization and one that is not anti-Christian and an alternative religion as its core. 

We have a responsibility to bring those Catholics who are members of the masons to understand the errors of their ways and the need for them to seek the Sacrament of Penance and receive absolution and a lifting of the excommunication. Father McNamara states: “Of course, for many people active in Masonic lodges, the conversations and activities are more social in nature and rarely veer toward the realm of philosophical speculation. A Catholic, however, cannot ignore the fundamental principles behind an organization, no matter how innocuous its activities appear to be.”

Do not visit masonic halls. If you see their literature posted in community bulletin boards, throw it away. Do everything you can to encourage all the small towns and communities across America that have a masonic hall to close it down. And pray for the conversion of the freemasons. We can especially invoke the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who wrote strongly against them.

Prayer for Conversion of Freemasons

O LORD JESUS CHRIST, who showest forth thy omnipotence most manifestly when Thou sparest and hast compassion; Thou who didst say, “Pray for those who persecute and calumniate you,” we implore the clemency of thy Sacred Heart on behalf of souls, made in the image of GOD, but most miserably deceived by the treacherous snares of Freemasons, and going more and more astray in the way of perdition. Let not the Church, thy spouse, any longer be oppressed by them; but, appeased by the intercession of the blessed Virgin thy Mother and the prayers of the just, be mindful of thy infinite mercy; and, disregarding their perversity, cause these very men to return to Thee, that they may bring consolation to the Church by a most abundant penance, make reparation for their misdeeds, and secure for themselves a glorious eternity; who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

4 comment(s):

del_button February 8, 2007 at 6:33 PM
Anonymous said...

I always disliked the Masonic Lodge. As much as it might piss off some people, i still believe that the lodge is connected to satanism. Members in the lower levels disagree with me and say they do good things for the community. It's not these foot soldiers i dislike. How many levels are there? 33? It's the people on top who i dislike. The people at the bottom aren't told everything.

del_button February 9, 2007 at 2:21 PM
elena maria vidal said...

I am really glad it has been clarified (again) that Catholicism and Freemasonry are not compatible.

del_button December 8, 2010 at 2:00 AM
Anonymous said...

George Washington was the Grand Master of a Virginian Lodge which means that he was a Master Mason but I don's see anyone coming out and saying that he was a Satanist. Moreover, he wrote a letter to all the catholics in the newly created United States assuring them that they would have the same rights as any other religious denomination.
In the same vein, Harry Truman was a 33 degree mason and no proof from any of his personal papers, interviews and the like can suggest that he was a satanist or anti-catholic.

del_button September 21, 2013 at 7:16 PM
Anonymous said...

What do you think of a Catholic priest partaking in a Masonic Funeral Service with
another Minster in a funeral Home???....
The Man was dressed in a Masonic apron...I was so very shocked, as I did not know this man, but just his wife, who is Catholic...
I am concerding leaving THIS CHURCH over this
matter,as I'm new to this area, and never,never encounterd this in my 73 years of being a cradle Catholic. What a wake up call! This Priest is a liberal Francisian. Please advise me if I'm wrong...
I'm a true Catholic. I would never say anything that were true to my faith....Please give me advise, as I have deeply been troubled by this
experienced.
Your's truly in Christ,

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