Would attending this be a sin?

[PerfectTiming]

A very close family friend is a free mason - I only found this out recently and also discovered that my father also was. He and his wife are very close friends with my mother, as are me and my sister with their daughter. My mother told me today that there is some kind of a ladies night - I believe some kind of a dinner, I’m not sure since we only spoke briefly. My mother, sister and our friends are attending and my mother asked if I would also like to attend.

I understand that joining masonic charters is not allowed and that they are contrary to Catholic belief, but would attending this event be okay? At the moment I feel sort of like well I could go but as long as I was careful and didn’t take part in any sinful practices it would be okay - kind of like if I went to dinner with Muslims or Pagans or whatever and they prayed I just wouldn’t take part in that. I do kind of want to go, I don’t get to see my family or these friends very often since I’m at college but I’m just cautious of it being sinful.

 

[2010_Convert]

As Catholics, we are specifically told not to attend activities of Freemasons. The dinner you want to go to is sponsored by the masonic lodge, therefore making it an activity of Freemasons. I would find another occasion to get together with family and friends.

 

[puzzleannie]

I have no idea since you give no info on the event. If it is an activity specifically for the members of any Masonic organization or satellites, no you may not attend, if you are Catholic. If it is an event by a generic group which happens to be held in a Masonic hall, there is no problem. Nor is there a problem in having friends and business associates who happen to be Masons, nor in socializing with them. That is not the same as participating in their group activities.

 

[PerfectTiming]

I have no idea since you give no info on the event. If it is an activity specifically for the members of any Masonic organization or satellites, no you may not attend, if you are Catholic. If it is an event by a generic group which happens to be held in a Masonic hall, there is no problem. Nor is there a problem in having friends and business associates who happen to be Masons, nor in socializing with them. That is not the same as participating in their group activities.

I don’t know that much about the event, my mother mentioned it briefly but she was out shopping so we didn’t have much time to talk. I’m going to speak to her about it later and try and find out more about it. I’ve tried searching on the internet for more details but can’t really find anything.
2010 Convert:

As Catholics, we are specifically told not to attend activities of Freemasons. The dinner you want to go to is sponsored by the masonic lodge, therefore making it an activity of Freemasons. I would find another occasion to get together with family and friends.

So if I went to an event sponsored by say a Muslim group, would that also be sinful?

 

[puzzleannie]

I

So if I went to an event sponsored by say a Muslim group, would that also be sinful?

not necessarily, it depends on the event. if it is just a social gathering, where is the problem? if it is a meeting of some kind to which members invite prospective recruits, that is entirely another matter. Is it wrong to eat dinner in a public place with non-Catholics? no. Is it wrong to visit their place of worship. No. Is it wrong to actively participate in their worship? yes.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Since Freemasonry has been condemned by the Church, does that mean that Catholics like Mozart were committing mortal sins by becoming Masons?

 

[PerfectTiming]

not necessarily, it depends on the event. if it is just a social gathering, where is the problem? if it is a meeting of some kind to which members invite prospective recruits, that is entirely another matter. Is it wrong to eat dinner in a public place with non-Catholics? no. Is it wrong to visit their place of worship. No. Is it wrong to actively participate in their worship? yes.

As far as I am aware, this event is purely a social gathering but I don’t know all that much about it so I am trying to find out more before I decide whether or not to attend.

 

[thirddec]

something in the question suggests you already feel unease about the situation. I personally would not go as far as to label it a sin but from my limited experience of Masonry it is a secret society; the fact that you are aware that some of your friends and some of your family have a history of masonry and that you are being invited to this function would concern me that this is a prelude to getting you on board. So in short I can’t say it would be a sin but I would think it is foolish. Better that you do not go and make it clear that you are not going because you do not want to be associated with Freemasonry at all and then maybe this firm stand could be the starting point of convincing your family do drop their masonic connections completely.

Skip the affair I would advise and instead say a rosary with the above intentions instead.

“and lead us not into temptation”

this rings all the wrong bells in my mind.

 

[PerfectTiming]

something in the question suggests you already feel unease about the situation. I personally would not go as far as to label it a sin but from my limited experience of Masonry it is a secret society; the fact that you are aware that some of your friends and some of your family have a history of masonry and that you are being invited to this function would concern me that this is a prelude to getting you on board. So in short I can’t say it would be a sin but I would think it is foolish. Better that you do not go and make it clear that you are not going because you do not want to be associated with Freemasonry at all and then maybe this firm stand could be the starting point of convincing your family do drop their masonic connections completely.

Skip the affair I would advise and instead say a rosary with the above intentions instead.

“and lead us not into temptation”

this rings all the wrong bells in my mind.

I only found out a few weeks ago that my father was a mason - I don’t know if he still is, we are no longer in contact. It was at the same time I found out that this family friend was. It’s tricky because my family are not Catholic so I don’t think they would understand my unease. I would not, as you put it “get on board”, I know the Church’s position. I understand why you say drop masonic connections but at the same time I have friends who are Muslim and friends who are atheists and even though I disagree with their positions I don’t not associate with them because of it.

 

[JM3]

I only found out a few weeks ago that my father was a mason - I don’t know if he still is, we are no longer in contact. It was at the same time I found out that this family friend was. It’s tricky because my family are not Catholic so I don’t think they would understand my unease. I would not, as you put it “get on board”, I know the Church’s position. I understand why you say drop masonic connections but at the same time I have friends who are Muslim and friends who are atheists and even though I disagree with their positions I don’t not associate with them because of it.

You know what the Church’s position is. You know, in your heart, what is right and what is wrong. But it is not only about you. Do your actions offer an ‘occasion of sin’ to those around you?

Be mindful of relativism.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19831126_declaration-masonic_en.html

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19850223_declaration-masonic_articolo_en.html

 

[edowitz1]

Roman Catholic Doctrine Vs. The Doctrinal Teaching of the Word of God

Eternal life is a merited reward [1821, 2010]. - Roman Catholicism
Eternal life is the free gift of God (Romans 6:23)

No one can know if he will attain eternal life [1036, 2005] - Roman Catholicism
The believer can know that he has eternal life by the Word of God (1 John 5:13)

The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation [846]. - Roman Catholicism
There is salvation in no one but the Lord Jesus Christ, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)

Purgatory is necessary to atone for sin and clean the soul [1030-1031]. - Roman Catholicism
Purgatory does not exist. Jesus made purification for sins on the cross (Hebrews 1:3)

Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception (the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception) [490-492].
Mary, a descendant of Adam, was born in sin (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12)

Mary is the Mother of the Church [963, 975]. - Roman Catholicism
Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus ( John 2:1)

The Magisterium is the authoritative teacher of the Church. [85-87]. - Roman Catholicism
The Holy Spirit is the authoritative teacher of the church (John 14:26; John 16:13, I John 2:27)

The pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of Peter [882, 936] - Roman Catholicism
Peter had no successor, nor was he a pope.

The pope is infallible in his authoritative teaching [891]. - Roman Catholicism
God alone is infallible (Numbers 23:19)

Scripture and Tradition together are the Word of God [81, 85, 97, 182]. - Roman Catholicism
Scripture is the Word of God (John 10:35, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). Tradition is the words of men (Mark 7:1-13).

The sacrificial work of redemption is continually carried out through the Sacrifice of the Mass. [1364,1405, 1846]. - Roman Catholicism
The sacrificial work of redemption was finished when Christ gave His life for us on the cross (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 1:3).

God desires that consecrated bread and wine be worshiped as divine. [1378-1381] - Roman Catholicism
God forbids the worship of any object, even t hose intended to represent Him (Exodus 20:4-5, Isaiah 42:8)

Justification is lost through mortal sin [1033, 1855, 1874] - Roman Catholicism
Justification cannot be lost. Those whom God justifies will be saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:8-9).

Justification is furthered by sacraments and good works [1212, 1392, 2010] - Roman Catholicism
Justification is the imputation of the perfect righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Christ the believer has been made complete (Colossians 2:10).

Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments [183, 1129, 1815, 2002]. - Roman Catholicism
Salvation is attained by grace through faith apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation (Ephesians 2:10).

Mary, “the All-Holy,” lived a perfectly sinless life [411, 493]. - Roman Catholicism
Mary was a sinner; God alone is sinless (Luke 18:19, Romans 3:23, Revelation 15:4).

Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ [496-511]. - Roman Catholicism
Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:25). Later she had other children (Matthew 13:55-56, Psalm 69:8).

Each Sacrifice of the Mass appeases God’s wrath against sin [1371, 1414]. - Roman Catholicism
The once-for-all sacrifice of the cross fully appeased God’s wrath against sin. (Hebrews 10:12-18).

The Bishops, with the Pope, as their head, rule the universal church. [883, 894-896]. - Roman Catholicism
Christ, the head of the body is the Head of the Church. (Colossians 1:18).

The faithful receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure through the Sacrifice of the Mass [1366, 1407]. - Roman Catholicism
Believers receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure in Christ through faith (Ephesians 1:3-14).

God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and Earth [966]. She is to be praised with special devotion [971, 2675]. - Roman Catholicism
The name of the Lord is to be praised, for He alone is exalted above heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13). God commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3).

Mary is the co-mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions 9 968-970, 2677] - Roman Catholicism
Christ Jesus is the one mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions (1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:13-14, 1 Peter 5:7).

Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participate with Christ in the painful act of redemption [618, 964, 968, 970]. - Roman Catholicism
Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in the Sacrifice of the Mass [1323, 1382] - Roman Catholicism
The Sacrifice of the cross is finished (John 19:30).

Indulgences dispensed by the Church for acts of piety release sinners from temporal punishment [1471-1473]. - Roman Catholicism
Jesus releases believers from their sins by His blood. (Revelation 1:5).

The Magisterium has the right to define truth found only obscurely or implicitly in revelation. [66, 88, 2035, 2051]. - Roman Catholicism
No one has the right to go beyond what is written in Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6, Proverbs 30:5-6).

Scripture and Tradition together are the Church’s supreme role of faith [80, 82]. - Roman Catholicism
Scripture is the church’s rule of faith (Mark 7:7-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 

[PerfectTiming]

Roman Catholic Doctrine Vs. The Doctrinal Teaching of the Word of God.

Please don’t spam my thread with unrelated nonsense. Also, it is against the rules of these forums to proselytize Catholics or encourage them to leave the Church.

 

[thirddec]

You are of course the best person to judge whats going on but I would suggest caution and prayer. As for associating with non believers its all about context. The masons by their very nature are secretive and for the secret to get out there may be an underlying motive.

I hope you choose wisely;
If you pray on the matter I know you will.

Love and Respect ( especially for the wisdom you have shown already to try and think things through carefully for your own sake and those who rely on you to lead. )

 

[thistle]

Since Freemasonry has been condemned by the Church, does that mean that Catholics like Mozart were committing mortal sins by becoming Masons?

Any Catholic who becomes a Freemason commits grave sin and may not receive Communion. This was clarified by our Pope when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

DECLARATION ON MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS

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 in 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 association 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 enrol 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 on 17 February 1981 (cf. AAS 73 1981 pp. 240-241; English language edition of L’Osservatore Romano, 9 March 1981).

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, 26 November 1983.

Joseph Card. RATZINGER
Prefect

• Fr. Jerome Hamer, O.P.
  Titular Archbishop of Lorium
  Secretary

 

[Young_Thinker]

Any Catholic who becomes a Freemason commits grave sin and may not receive Communion. This was clarified by our Pope when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

DECLARATION ON MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS

…The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion…

Wow! Thank you for clarifying this. My great-grandfather was a Mason. Since he was a Protestant, he was obviously ignorant that it was such a grave matter (he probably did not know what a mortal sin is), does it still mean that he went to Hell because of it (he was apparently still a Freemason at the time of his death, since the local lodge wanted to conduct his funeral. Fortunately, my great-grandmother refused their offer!).

 

[wayward]

**Young Thinker **- the Church does not teach that any specific person is in Hell. We can judge the morality of an act - so the action of your grandfather by being involved in freemasonry was grave matter - but we cannot judge the state of the soul, so we do not know if freemasonry, for your grandfather, constituted mortal sin or not. He may not have known it was wrong, or there could have been some other factor impeding his judgment. Furthermore, there is always hope that a person may make an act of contrition before they die.

I would suggest praying for your grandfather’s soul, as well as for the souls of anyone you know who has died, that if they are in purgatory that they may soon be in heaven. Other than that, all any of us can do is trust in God’s mercy.

Perfect Timing - I will echo what others have said: it does sound like you are already unsure about attending this gathering. If you are already feeling unsure about it, perhaps it would be wise to simply suggest that you are busy during that evening, but request to visit with these friends at another time.

It’s not that you can’t be friends with them, or visit them in contexts outside of freemasonry - but do you really want to risk spending an evening being preached at about why you should join something you know you can’t join, or risk spending an evening as the only Catholic in a room full of people more likely to attempt to dissuade you from your faith rather than support you in it?

Again, as others have said, only you can make the decision. I would bring it before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and ask Him what you should do. There is no where better to get clear answers than in His Presence.

in Christ
wayward

 

[Young_Thinker]

**Young Thinker **- the Church does not teach that any specific person is in Hell. We can judge the morality of an act - so the action of your grandfather by being involved in freemasonry was grave matter - but we cannot judge the state of the soul, so we do not know if freemasonry, for your grandfather, constituted mortal sin or not. He may not have known it was wrong, or there could have been some other factor impeding his judgment. Furthermore, there is always hope that a person may make an act of contrition before they die.

I would suggest praying for your grandfather’s soul, as well as for the souls of anyone you know who has died, that if they are in purgatory that they may soon be in heaven. Other than that, all any of us can do is trust in God’s mercy.
in Christ
wayward

I am grateful for your advice. I would obviously rather have a friend or relative be in Purgatory than in Inferno. I certainly hope that my great-grandfather (or anyone else whom I have known who has died) is in not the latter, where prayers would not help anyone.