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Peace-bwu
Guest
This was posted in the ASK and apologist forum at this site:
This is from the “ASK an Apologist” forum.
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Peace-bwu
Guest
QUAESITUM EST
Declaration on Masonic Associations****Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ****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 is 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 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.
It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the declaration of this sacred congregation issued Feb. 17,1981. [1]
In an audience granted to the undersigned cardinal prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this sacred congregation.
Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Nov. 26, 1983
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Prefect
Father Jerome Hamer, O. P. Titular Archbishop of Lorium
Secretary
**Notes
**1. Cf. AAS 73 (1981) pp. 240-241.
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ESPAÑOL
Declaration on Masonic Associations****Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ****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 is 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 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.
It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the declaration of this sacred congregation issued Feb. 17,1981. [1]
In an audience granted to the undersigned cardinal prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this sacred congregation.
Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Nov. 26, 1983
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Prefect
Father Jerome Hamer, O. P. Titular Archbishop of Lorium
Secretary
**Notes
**1. Cf. AAS 73 (1981) pp. 240-241.
Electronic Copyright © 1999 EWTN
All Rights Reserved
.
Provided Courtesy of:
Eternal Word Television Network
5817 Old Leeds Road
Irondale, AL 35210
www.ewtn.com
HOME-EWTNews-FAITH-TELEVISION-RADIO-LIBRARY-GALLERY-CATALOGUE-GENERAL
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contemplative
Guest
Don’t walk
Run from the Order of Freemasons.
Run from the Order of Freemasons.
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Lost_Found
Guest
You won’t mute me by accusing me of all these things, I will continue to speak up when my faith is attacked. You Masons would love to see us keep quiet, it really works for you.
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HagiaSophia
Guest
When confronting something though, perhaps it would be more reasonable to know something about it first and since as you readily admit, you do not know anything about historical Catholicism vs. Masonry perhaps it’s a subject you can simply say “I don’t know anything about .”
It should strike most Catholics here that JPII who was rather noted to forgiving, forgetting and making bridges with everyone and anyone, not only did not rescind the prohibition on Catholics in Masonry, he had it reissued via the CDF.
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Lisa4Catholics
Guest
Amen Sophia:clapping: He even forgave Ali Agca and remained cordial to him and even called him brother,for him to reissue that tells me to run far away from the Masons,there is something more than a simple disagreement here:nope:
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Zooey
Guest
I just want to repeat my caution, to please, please, let the authorities know about this. It was breaking a federal law for anyone to fasten this to your mailbox.
Whoever did this could be dangerous, possibly deranged. I am not trying to scare anybody, but the sound of this is way off. Laws have been broken. You have a legitimate cause & a responsibility, to report it.
I am not a fan of Masons myself, but I do :nope: not think that this was Masons!! This is indeed very creepy. I do:nope: not like the sound of this at all!
Whoever did this could be dangerous, possibly deranged. I am not trying to scare anybody, but the sound of this is way off. Laws have been broken. You have a legitimate cause & a responsibility, to report it.
I am not a fan of Masons myself, but I do :nope: not think that this was Masons!! This is indeed very creepy. I do:nope: not like the sound of this at all!
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Lisa4Catholics
Guest
Zooey I wouldn’t like it either,I am with you:nope:
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pnewton
Guest
Lost&Found:
I still go with ignorance. I think like all other made-up religions, they missed something important.
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Casen
Guest
OK, I can see I’m not getting anywhere here so I’ll bow out after this post. I honestly don’t have any skin in this game and couldn’t care less if someone joins the Masons or any other group for that matter. I stumbled upon this thread and thought it seemed pretty intolerant to call five million Masons Satanists. I’m not a Mason or a Catholic but I’m a student of history and religion and get a little defensive wherever I find bigotry.
If I stumbled upon a Protestant forum and someone accused Catholics of worshiping Satan I’d defend Catholicism with the same vigor. But you just can’t reason with certain people. Matthew 7:3 comes to mind here.
In conclusion, I’ve listed below a few famous people that were/are Free Masons. Fair minded people can review the list and decide for themselves if it’s fair to call them all devil worshipers as has been suggested on this thread. Or if maybe… just maybe… calling them all Satanists might be a little extreme based on the lack of evidence thus far provided…
Bowie, James
Churchill, Winston
Crockett, David (‘Davy’)
Dole, Robert (Bob)
Ford, Gerald
Ford, Henry
Franklin, Benjamin
Gable, Clark
Garfield, James A
Goldwater, Barry
Hancock, John
Harding, Warren G.
Hoover, J. Edgar
Houdini, Harry
Humphrey, Hubert H.
Jackson, Andrew
Jackson, Reverend Jesse
Johnson, Andrew
Kemp, Jack
MacArthur, General Douglas
McKinley, William
Palmer, Arnold
Rangel, Charles
Rogers, Will
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
Roosevelt, Theodore
Sanders, Colonel Harland
Sousa, John Philip
Thomas, Dave
Thurmond, Strom
Truman, Harry S.
Washington, George
Wayne, John
Eight signers of the declaration of independence
Thirteen signers of the US Constitution
If I stumbled upon a Protestant forum and someone accused Catholics of worshiping Satan I’d defend Catholicism with the same vigor. But you just can’t reason with certain people. Matthew 7:3 comes to mind here.
In conclusion, I’ve listed below a few famous people that were/are Free Masons. Fair minded people can review the list and decide for themselves if it’s fair to call them all devil worshipers as has been suggested on this thread. Or if maybe… just maybe… calling them all Satanists might be a little extreme based on the lack of evidence thus far provided…
Bowie, James
Churchill, Winston
Crockett, David (‘Davy’)
Dole, Robert (Bob)
Ford, Gerald
Ford, Henry
Franklin, Benjamin
Gable, Clark
Garfield, James A
Goldwater, Barry
Hancock, John
Harding, Warren G.
Hoover, J. Edgar
Houdini, Harry
Humphrey, Hubert H.
Jackson, Andrew
Jackson, Reverend Jesse
Johnson, Andrew
Kemp, Jack
MacArthur, General Douglas
McKinley, William
Palmer, Arnold
Rangel, Charles
Rogers, Will
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
Roosevelt, Theodore
Sanders, Colonel Harland
Sousa, John Philip
Thomas, Dave
Thurmond, Strom
Truman, Harry S.
Washington, George
Wayne, John
Eight signers of the declaration of independence
Thirteen signers of the US Constitution
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Dan-Man916
Guest
Interesting that you say that. But that is certainly not what I have been told by other former masons. Jesus Christ is not invoked.
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HagiaSophia
Guest
One of the problems with forums is that they are not meant to replace educated research into church positions. Many things are often complex, but in today’s world, we have those accustomed to"instaneous knowledge" who believe that truths of many ages past can be revealed and explained in a 30 second sound byte or a two paragraph post. They lack the interest, the capacity or the inclination to research the matter but do like to harp a lot.
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Chazemataz
Guest
Sir Knight:
Dont make me laugh!!! Freemasonry is a SECRET organization- they dont divulge exactly who are memebers. How in the blue yonder can the Catholic Church find out who is in it or not? Does Pope Benedict XIV plan on calling in his guard and breaking into the Masonic Lodges and demand to know who is Catholic? Masons let any Catholics into their organization! My Grandfather was a Catholic ever since he was 19 when he moved out (My family has an odd history of religious beleifs, not one generation is the same denomination as anoher but they are all Christian) and he was a Mason ever since he was 21. About, oh I’d say 100 million Catholics (there are 860 million) are Freemasons? There is nothing Satanic about Masonry. Tell me one thing: How in the world can the Vatican know if Freemasonry is Satanic or not? Do they have psyhic powers? Do they have secret spies (that’d be cool if they did, LOL)? No. The Vatican jumped to conclusions because it got offeneded by the amount of men that are masons, especially Christians, even Catholics! They saw it aas an orgnaization that was Satanic because it was so secretive, and they thought they could possibly stop it by making harsh decrees. Also, there is a book called “Morals And Dogma of the Freemason”, it is very suspicious. It is for this reason why my Grandfather refuses to go up in ranks because of their rituals. They blindfold you and wave a “wand” on top of your head, chanting in an unknown language in the 32 degreee. Look it up if you want to se more of their questionable rituals.
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Chazemataz
Guest
I am rather suspicious of them though. I am trying to convice my grandpa to quit by showing him testimonials of former Masons who talk about the odd rituals that take place. It is just plain old distrubing. When Joseph Smith made up the Mormon religion, he took from Masonic rituals. Think about it. Now, Mormons say they are used to make people become GODS!!! There has to be something sinister within the walls of Freemasonry, and I plan to find out! I iwll look for his guidebook at his house this weekend while he is out doing something with my other brothers. He would never let me see it. He was sworn not to show it to anybody.
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Sir_Knight
Guest
And what is laughable about any of this? Any Catholic who becomes a mason is AUTOMATICLY excommunicated. They can CLAIM to still be a Catholic but they are not and are barred from the sacrements! Just like a person is not suppose to receive communion if they have a mortal sin on their soul. They can hide the fact and still receive but communion is a double edge sword – it brings salvation to those who receive worthily and condemnation to those that receive unworthily. The same thing applies to Catholics who become masons are still make believe that they are Catholics.
Oh, Pope Benedict XIV have been dead for a very long time. He died in 1758.
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Chazemataz
Guest
Sir Knight:
So, what you are saying is that very devout Catholics who are Freemasons will not get salvation just because the Vatican passed a decree saying so? No, Christians are saved because they follow the Ten Commandments, follow Jesus Christ, and believe in the Holy Trinity.
Oh, silly me! I meant Pope Beneidct XVI!!!
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Sir_Knight
Guest
In Christ’s own words … “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” - Matthew 16:19
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PJR
Guest
I was also told by Mason that Jesus was NEVER invoked. I was wondering how a Jew or Muslim would agree to that during their induction ceremony? That just doesn’t make sense. The masons must bow before a deity. Take your pick.
Also the ceremonies were intended to mock the Mass. Most protestants probably don’t pick up on it because they are unfamiliar with liturgy. The lambskin and the white throne reference are pretty obvious to me.
Dan-Man916:
Also the ceremonies were intended to mock the Mass. Most protestants probably don’t pick up on it because they are unfamiliar with liturgy. The lambskin and the white throne reference are pretty obvious to me.
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Chazemataz
Guest
Sir Knight:
This means that Peter will have the right to enter the Kingdom of Heaven himself, and preaching the gospel would be means of opening the kingdom of Heaven.
Whatever the Vatican decrees has Biblical support, like Abortion is the murdering of unborn babies, birth controll is the killing of fertilized eggs, homosexuality is clearly condemmned in Leviticus. But where in the Bible is it declared that nobody can enter a secret society? They don’t even give a reason in the decree!! You do not have to agree with everything the Vatican says in order to gain salvation. Just the things that are supported in the Bible. Some of what they say is their own opinions. I go along and agree with most of what they say though
anyways I wil NEVER become a Mason. As I said before, they do hve rather suspicious rituals. I am an anti-mason myself, because they have their Grand Architect Of The Universe. However there is nothing Satanic about it… as far as I know. Perhaps there is. but I just dont see the Vatican’s reasoning on declaring this. like I said before, obtain a copy of “Morals And Dogma Of The Freemason”. You can also read it obnline at www.sacred-texts.com. It is written by Albert Pike, and it talks abotu some satanic and occult rituals and beleifs. Like, for example, in one chapter he says “Lucifer the Light-bearer! What an obsurd name for a supposebly “evil” being. The Light-bearer! Lucifer the mroning star! A symbol of goodness?” or something like that.
wait…now I changed my mind about them! Oh why didnt I see this before? The Vatican passed that decree because of this book! I am off to go dig up some material from the web. That book seems very occult, I never really read much of it before. But I guess the lower levels are being lied to. I have to show my grandfather this book. I dont want him to get involved with satanic lies. Oh now I look like a hypocrite…
I do not know what relevance this has to Freemasons and Vatican Decrees. I think you are trying to say that it means Jesus is telling Peter that whatever the Vatican decrees in Earth shall also apply for gaining entry into Heaven Not so.
This means that Peter will have the right to enter the Kingdom of Heaven himself, and preaching the gospel would be means of opening the kingdom of Heaven.
Whatever the Vatican decrees has Biblical support, like Abortion is the murdering of unborn babies, birth controll is the killing of fertilized eggs, homosexuality is clearly condemmned in Leviticus. But where in the Bible is it declared that nobody can enter a secret society? They don’t even give a reason in the decree!! You do not have to agree with everything the Vatican says in order to gain salvation. Just the things that are supported in the Bible. Some of what they say is their own opinions. I go along and agree with most of what they say though
anyways I wil NEVER become a Mason. As I said before, they do hve rather suspicious rituals. I am an anti-mason myself, because they have their Grand Architect Of The Universe. However there is nothing Satanic about it… as far as I know. Perhaps there is. but I just dont see the Vatican’s reasoning on declaring this. like I said before, obtain a copy of “Morals And Dogma Of The Freemason”. You can also read it obnline at www.sacred-texts.com. It is written by Albert Pike, and it talks abotu some satanic and occult rituals and beleifs. Like, for example, in one chapter he says “Lucifer the Light-bearer! What an obsurd name for a supposebly “evil” being. The Light-bearer! Lucifer the mroning star! A symbol of goodness?” or something like that.
wait…now I changed my mind about them! Oh why didnt I see this before? The Vatican passed that decree because of this book! I am off to go dig up some material from the web. That book seems very occult, I never really read much of it before. But I guess the lower levels are being lied to. I have to show my grandfather this book. I dont want him to get involved with satanic lies. Oh now I look like a hypocrite…
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YinYangMom
Guest
Who defines these moral principles?
By whose definition of ‘morality’ is one’s character judged?
Therein lies the problem.
Drew Mariani (Relevant Radio) had John Salza, an ex-mason of the highest degree (32nd) on his show on June 3rd. Having reached all levels he cited several examples of how Freemasonry is anti-Catholic. He is finishing a book on the subject: Masonry Unmasked. He has already written a book: The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith which you can order thru Amazon.com.
While taking Vatican’s word on the subject is enough for me, it’s good to have it reinforced by ‘one of their own’.
Perhaps you should try to find that Masonry Unmasked book, read it yourself, and then decide whether or not to share it with your grandfather.
Your grandfather is wise to intentionally remain active at the 3rd degree, as it seems the ‘cultist’ aspects of the organization are revealed at the deeper levels. Perhaphs he senses/knows this already and has chosen to remain at the lower level in order to evangelize people with the Gospel - especially if there are other religions/denominations present in the room.
And hey, maybe good turkey is really hard to find in his neck of the woods.
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