Can a Freemason become a Catholic?

[darb85]

I have a friend who is a Freemason who wants to become Catholic but is under the impression he can’t because of his status as a Freemason. Is this true? I have heard it both ways and can’t find a definitive answer on the Internet.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

It depends on whether or not your friend still intends to remain a member of Freemasonry after he enters the Church. If he plans to abandon Freemasonry for Catholicism, yes, of course, he can become Catholic. But if he intends to remain a Freemason after becoming a Catholic, to my knowledge, no, he cannot enter the Church. The Church has long stated that Catholics are prohibited from involvement in Freemasonry:

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).