Can one be a Catholic and

[Safe_Eagle]

be a Mason? I had heard it been said that Pope Leo XIII had outlawed Catholics from being Masons. A friend who is trying to recruit me says Pope John Paul had written a letter saying it is ok for Catholics to be one.

Is there any validity to this letter?

 

[FightingFat]

Officially you can’t (as far as I know). Personally, I would feel uncomfortable with the association in any case. Have you heard of the Catenians? It’s a Catholic association a bit like the Masons- local blokes get together and help each other in business and charity etc catenians.hemscott.net/

 

[MSParrott]

On this site: catholicparents.org/oxcart/Examination%20of%20Conscience.pdf it says joining a secret society like the Mason’s is a mortal sin.

You should join the K of C instead.

 

[Seatuck]

Nope, we do not have permission to join the masons. Ask your friend for the letter as proof and search it on the internet. I’m sure you will not find it on the Vatican Website.

For more proof-

cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=103

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMASN2.HTM

 

[AndyF]

be a Mason?

Absolutely not.

AndyF

 

[1ke]

be a Mason? I had heard it been said that Pope Leo XIII had outlawed Catholics from being Masons.

This is a true statement. Anyone joining the Masons incurs excommunication.

A friend who is trying to recruit me says Pope John Paul had written a letter saying it is ok for Catholics to be one.

This is untrue.

Is there any validity to this letter?

No.

 

[Bataar]

Pope John Paul II softened it a little. A person is no longer automatically excommunicated, but rather, is in a serious state of mortal sin and is not able to receive Communion.

The reasoning behind this isn’t in regards to the secretive nature of Freemasonry (although that does play a part), but rather, Freemasonry’s hostility to Catholicism. When a person swears their first oath to obtain the first degree in Freemasonry, they have to swear that they believe all religions are equal. One cannot make such an oath and profess Catholic teaching at the same time.

 

[TMC]

Pope John Paul II softened it a little. A person is no longer automatically excommunicated, but rather, is in a serious state of mortal sin and is not able to receive Communion.

The reasoning behind this isn’t in regards to the secretive nature of Freemasonry (although that does play a part), but rather, Freemasonry’s hostility to Catholicism. When a person swears their first oath to obtain the first degree in Freemasonry, they have to swear that they believe all religions are equal. One cannot make such an oath and profess Catholic teaching at the same time.

This is correct. This is the document:

DECLARATION ON MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS

The declaration was issued because when the Freemasons were taken off the list of auto-excommuications in the new Canon Law, some thought it became OK to join. It did not.

This is a 300 year running feud that began with the Freemasons advocacy of secularism and separation of Church and state, and continues for that reason and because of their supposed religious indifferentism. Now if you ask me, its an outdated (almost silly) feud that has spawned many wild conspiracy theories, but the Church isn’t going to be the first to blink on this one. Still, when I was approached about joining, I said no.