E
edjlopez23
Guest
I heard that the Lions club could be the largest community service agency in the world; but, I also heard that they may be connected with freemasonry.
Last edited:
- Status
Tis_Bearself
Patron
It’s my understanding that Catholics are allowed to join Lions’ Clubs, and that if they were associated with Freemasonry then you would need to be a Mason to join them. Back in the early - mid 1900s, sometimes Catholic commentators would lump all the groups that weren’t KoC (such as Lions, Elks, Rotary etc) together with Freemasons; however, there is actually no connection between the organizations. I have read that Muslims still consider Lions Club as part of Freemasons, but Catholics/ Christians do not, and of course Catholics don’t follow what Muslims say.
Some Catholics object to Lions Clubs on the basis of individual chapters supporting Planned Parenthood. As I believe this is an individual chapter decision, you might want to see if the chapter you want to join donates to or otherwise supports PP before you sign up.
Some Catholics object to Lions Clubs on the basis of individual chapters supporting Planned Parenthood. As I believe this is an individual chapter decision, you might want to see if the chapter you want to join donates to or otherwise supports PP before you sign up.
Last edited:
W
White_Tree
Guest
I know several lifelong Catholics who are members of the Lions Club. It has no connection with Freemasonry whatsoever.
R
Riman643
Guest
Would you mind quickly telling me what the deal is with “freemasonry”? I see this term from time to time and I am confused what is bad about it.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
What’s bad about it is that the Church considers it incompatible with the Catholic faith. It’s essentially a deist organization, and in many places was an anti-Catholic/ anti-clerical organization as well. In past eras, a Catholic who joined the Masons was excommunicated. Since 1983, a Catholic who joins the Masons is considered to be in a state of grave sin and can’t receive Holy Communion.
D
Diaconia
Guest
The Lions are not associated with Freemasonry (and I don’t think ever were).
More importantly, though, is this: the Catholic Church is the largest provider of human services in the world, BY FAR; and the Lions aren’t anywhere close to them.
The Catholic Church educates, clothes, feeds, provides medical care for, and spiritual support to - more human beings than any other group in the world, period.
Deacon Christopher
More importantly, though, is this: the Catholic Church is the largest provider of human services in the world, BY FAR; and the Lions aren’t anywhere close to them.
The Catholic Church educates, clothes, feeds, provides medical care for, and spiritual support to - more human beings than any other group in the world, period.
Deacon Christopher
F
fredystairs
Guest
Actually, a Catholic who joins the Mason’s is still excommunicated. At the time that the 1983 Code of Canon Law was published, the CDF put out a letter stating that the excommunication was still in place even though it was not explicitly stated in the Code.
Pax
I have to think there were some Catholics who, in all good faith, became Freemasons during that hazy period of the 1960s through 1980s when everything under the sun was being taught “in the spirit of Vatican II” [sic]. Danny Thomas, always known to be a great humanitarian and family-friendly actor and comedian, became a Freemason in 1984, and I don’t think anyone ever questions his Catholicity or bona fides — I certainly don’t. If it ever became an issue for him, I am tempted to think — though this is sheer speculation on my part — that he’s had some priest to tell him “this isn’t a problem anymore, the Masons do good work, go ahead and join them”. Or something like that.Tis_Bearself:
Actually, a Catholic who joins the Mason’s is still excommunicated. At the time that the 1983 Code of Canon Law was published, the CDF put out a letter stating that the excommunication was still in place even though it was not explicitly stated in the Code.
Incidentally, as far as I am aware, the Freemasons have no problem with Catholics joining, as long as they adhere to the Masonic tenet of not bringing up religious differences and emphasizing only the values that all good men have in common (which fits the American temperament like hand in glove!). Simply put, they like us a whole lot better than we like them. (I refer to their organization, not the individuals, who tend to be pretty good guys.)
- Status