It does not say what they were protesting. Could it have been the sexual molestation of children by members of the Catholic clergy which the Church covered up for many, many years? Please, don’t even try to say that there was not a cover-up. Even the good priests will dispute that one. They know the truth.
Oh but you are so wrong Shin. I am not knocking the KofC, I knock the fact that they do not offer the protection they purport to offer. That they only take the cream of the crop for insured and refuse those who need it most.
You would have to read “Humanum Genus” to understand that. You do not at all seem like a “former” mason but one who is still an enthusiastic member. For faithful Catholics a notice from the CDF should be enough. The masons remain a secret society and that by itself would merit the condemnation of the Church. Masonry has a long history of anti-Catholicism, and anti-clericalism which of course all flows from its ideology of naturalism and religious indifferentism which it continues to propagate by “welcoming” all creeds. After the P2 scandal it Italy, (a subject you seem to want to avoid) there is no reason to believe anything is different. If Masonry wants to accept Christ as the Divine Redeemer that He is and renounce its secrecy and rituals, then perhaps the Vatican might take a second look. At present there is positively no reason to do so.
The issue of the Masons has to do with the Church’s understanding of Divine Revelation and the nature of true Religion (the Church recognizing Freemasonry for what it is: a false religion - even when some of Freemasonry’s adherents naively and pertinaciously insist it isn’t); thus it pertains to The Church’s infallibility when teaching regarding Faith and Morals. The sins of commission and ommission of some priests and of some in the hierarchy in relation to the abuse of minors (or any other types of sins committed by priests and bishops) do not, however, pertain to the Church’s infallibility, since the Church through her Magisterium is not in any way promoting this abuse or teaching that this behavior is acceptable in her priests or anyone else. Simple.
And just about every one of your posts on CAF has to do with defending the Masons. Does your interest in the Catholic Faith go beyond attacking her teaching on the Masons and Masonic membership?
You first point is rather absurd. It is not a matter of the Church’s teaching being “wrong” on the protection of children, its teaching on that indeed was never wrong. Some Church leaders were guilty of a cover-up however, and failed to protect children and that is reprehensible. That has nothing to do with the Church’s teaching against masonry. Since you don’t think the Church has the “right” to tell you who to associate with you are already rejecting the Church and that is a serious thing. The Church can indeed tell you who to associate with. That is part of the pope’s jurisdiction, recently re-affirmed by Vatican II.
Yes, simply trying to correct a wrong. Someone has to try and protect an underdog in a fight. But thanks for asking.
Why is it extreme to obey Jesus’ representative here on earth, the Pope. Our Church, the Bride of Christ, has determined that Freemasonry is a hazzard to our spiritual health. If our plan is to be in heaven at the end of our earthly days, it would be prudent to follow the teachings of the Church.
OK, after doing some more reading on the infallibility of the Church as it concerns Faith and Morals, I can see the points being made by all of you on that subject. So I will agree with your statements in that regard. I guess I have to say further that I do not see membership in a fraternal organization to be a matter of faith or morals for the Church. Masonry never taught me anything from a religious standpoint, though the degrees do teach moral lessons in how to be an upright person. Many organizations teach similar lessons. So they have secrets. How is that immoral? Parents have secrets from their children. Priests have secrets from their parishioners. The government has secrets from the governed. So does having secrets make the person or groups immoral? Masonry is not, as some claim, to be a secret society. If it were, you would not know who the members are, where they meet, etc. Masonry does not even come close to meeting the definition of a secret society. It is simply a society with secrets. Big deal. Masonry has tried reaching out to the Church and are rebuffed. Where is the dialog? What is there to fear from open and honest discussions? The popes have preached dialog between nations to avoid war, but yet will not have discussions itself with a fraternal group to at least attempt to work out differences. All anyone points to are events that happened decades or centuries ago. Time to set-aside differences and talk and at least make an effort to find common ground and acceptance.
And how, pray tell, am I going to find out the actual specifics from a secret organization?
Hmm. Why was my mother allowed to marry a non-Catholic then? I guess I am unaware of the secret document that warns Catholics about associating with non-Catholics. Maybe you can point me to an actual Catholic source, not dribble that others write or interpret.
Why do you think the primary reason for the Church’s objections are Masonry’s secrecy?
Why don’t you post for everyone all the oaths required to be taken in the lodge? From the lowest level to the highest degrees. Shouldn’t be a problem, should it? Perhaps you could get some high level masons to help you with the higher degrees.
Help me out here a litte. What is the definition of a secret society? How does it differ from a society with secrets?
Huh? What does it matter? Who are the Masons that Catholics need to be concerned about them (other than their supposedly superior insurance benefits…).
That’s the point, it is NOT a secret organization. Anything you want to know about the Masons is available on the net or in most bookstores. Just use the Masonic sources instead of the anti-Masonic sources that tend to distort the facts to their sinister advantage.And how, pray tell, am I going to find out the actual specifics from a secret organization?
Hmm. Why was my mother allowed to marry a non-Catholic then? I guess I am unaware of the secret document that warns Catholics about associating with non-Catholics. Maybe you can point me to an actual Catholic source, not dribble that others write or interpret.