Posted on 03/02/2007 5:58:49 PM PST by NYer
Says Its Philosophies Are Incompatible With Church
ROME, MARCH 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Church has not changed its ruling on Catholic membership in the Masons, said the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
Bishop Gianfranco Girotti made this statement Thursday at a conference on the topic of Freemasonry held at the St. Bonaventure Pontifical Theological Faculty.
The bishop presided over the congress held in cooperation with the Socio-Religious Research and Information Group of Italy. Officials of Masonic associations and grand masters also took part in the meeting.
Bishop Girotti reminded his listeners that the Church has always criticized the concepts and philosophy of Freemasonry, considering them incompatible with the Catholic faith.
He mentioned the last official reference document, "Declaration on Masonic Associations," which was signed by the then prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, on Nov. 26, 1983.
The text states that since the principles of Masonic associations "have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church," membership in them, therefore, "remains forbidden."
"The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive holy Communion," adds the declaration signed by Cardinal Ratzinger, who is now Benedict XVI.
Father Zbigniew Suchecki, an expert in the subject, quoted number 1374 of the Code of Canon Law, which reads: "Whoever is inscribed in an association that plots against the Church must be punished with a just penalty; whoever promotes or directs that association, must be banned."
"Masonry's attempts to express divine truths are based on relativism and do not agree with the principles of the Christian faith," said the Conventual Franciscan.
Bishop Girotti made reference to the statements of some priests who have declared publicly their membership in Masonry and called for the intervention of "their direct superiors," not excluding the possibility that "measures of a canonical character might come from the Holy See."
Most of them I would evaluate as being very, very rational in their belief systems. But none that I know who are fully bought into Freemasonry would I identify as Christians (Protestant/Catholic notwithstanding).
It seems that, from what I have come to understand, that they have dissected religion and faith and attempted to develop a science from it. The Grand Architect, as it were.
Again, don't get me wrong: I have a great deal of respect for many Freemasons that I know and consider several of them to be my friends...it's just that I do not see how a person can truly be a Freemason and simultaneously truly be a Christian. And don't take the thoughts above as a slam. Just honest observations from my POV.
Maybe somebody could illuminate me on this one...
(serious question addressed to any possible Freemasons who post here. I'd love to have a dialogue on the subject w/o slams)
The other two little pigs rejoiced in the re-affirmation of their choice of nuilding material while the smart one sat in the corner and cried.
The Vatican is on a roll.
Hey everybody, let's get our personal houses in order. The curial house is starting to be a magisterium again. Read the signs. When that happens, things happen. God speaks to His people.
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments...
Which reminds me of a question I've had for years, but never asked it before. This might be a good place to ask it:
Matthew 18:20 Bible quote - Jesus said, 'Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.'
Do Catholics believe that Jesus would not be in the midst of those who are gathered in His name unless they were Roman Catholic?
Thanks for a reply.
Lord Jesus, have mercy!
Many Americans are Masons and certainly are not anti-Christian. However, fundamentally, the organization's principles are anti-Christian and particularly anti-Catholic. It was a sort of deist, "illuminati" organization that had mostly the liberals of its time as members. Probably only in the US was it considered just a fraternal organization on the same level with the Elks or the Rotarians.
One of the problems is that Freemasonry in Europe and your average small-town US Mason are competely different, and for Americans it is very hard to understand how good old Uncle Harry with his Masonic ring could have anything to do with plots to overthrow the Church. Obviously, Uncle Harry didn't have anything like that in mind - but European Masonry certainly did and still does today.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/freemasonfaq.html
John Salza has had this site up for years and continues to allow it to grow. He has a book on the Masons.
You might also wish to read a most illuminating book by Whalen which is available from many Catholic sites on Freemasonry. It is excellent.
The average Freemason who is a member of a "Blue Lodge" is in it normally for a social situation or may be in a construction trade where it is widely expected that one is a member. It is in the higher orders that things get "interesting."
Freepmail for further discussion.
Frank
Thanks for the response.
But I'd actually like to hear it from one of them.
Of course not! Any Christian baptized using a Trinitarian formula is a true child of God! When they gather in His Name, He is among them! What we believe is that Christ instituted seven sacraments while on earth and Catholics have the wherewithal to have the sanctifying grace imbued by all of them. Most Christian denominations have only two: Baptism and Matrimony. That does not preclude grace or of going to heaven. It is just that Christ left all of us other conduits to His grace like the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
See the Encyclical, Dominus Iesus, by Pope John Paul II to see the full import of this.
Just wait. The whole "great Presidents were Masons" and "where do you Catholics get this stuff?" will come. I have had this discussion many, many times.
F
Nah, I won't even bother with the Illuminadi stuff. I'm just talking about the Philosophy.
First of all, there are a couple of misconceptions that you have with your statement.
#1, the term "Roman Catholic" only covers a portion of the Catholic Church, those that worship using the Latin Rite. There are, as NYer could point out better than I, many other particular churches that comprise the Catholic Church.
#2, the term "Catholic Church" is the Universal Church. It is the collection of all Christians. Including the brethren separated by schism, such as those who are in Protestant groups.
So, in a manner of speaking, your statement, Do Catholics believe that Jesus would not be in the midst of those who are gathered in His name unless they were Roman Catholic? would be correct, after a manner of thinking, if you only deleted the word "Roman." Because anybody who could be called Christian are, either directly or indirectly, part of the Catholic Church. They just might not recognize it.
Encyclical of Leo XIII on Freemasonry.
Many of us do recognize it, but we don't capitalize "catholic".
Good explanation. Thank you.
It probably follows the same thought process of Catholics who are pro choice. They don't internalize their faith but simply profess it, by virtue of their membership through Baptism.
One has to wonder what appeal Freemasonry offers over membership in a truly Catholic organization, the Knights of Columbus.
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