[dangus]

We do well to acknowledge failings, otherwise we do not correct them or understand where opposition arises. But your statement that the church only opposes freemasonry out of embarrassment of its own history is asserting a sinister motivation to the church’s actions.

I further wonder whether you are confusing the Knights Templar with Freemasons when you imply that the church has done things she’d rather no-one remember.

[Kansas58]

There is no “confusion” really, Free Masonry CLAIMS to have roots in the Knights Templars.
Free Masonry has a “Demolay” youth group that used the name of the LEADER of the Templars.

The very existence of the Masons reminded Rome of a big black mark on our history.

The Templars were treated horribly, and a full apology, by the Vatican, will probably happen some day.