[dangus]

First, I want to commend you for some of your other posts, which I had not read before our own disagreement. But as to membership in the Free Masons, this is from Wikipedia:

The Roman Catholic Church ...argues that Masonic philosophy discourages Christian dogmatism, and that it is anti-clerical in intent. The Catholic Church's most recent statement on Freemasonry was released in the 1983 document Quaesitum est, written by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [Me: Pope Benedict?] and approved by Pope John Paul II. This document remains the most current standing reference on the Church's policy on Freemasonry. Quaesitum est states:

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

...A number of Catholics became Freemasons assuming that the Church had softened its stance. Quaesitum est addressed this misinterpretation of the Code of Canon Law, clarifying that:

...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."

These "irreconcilable principles" include a "deistic God", naturalism and religious indifferentism.

[Kansas58]

If I am wrong I will admit it.
I am looking through the “Catechism” now, and can find no reference.
I was truly under the impression that membership in the lower Masonic degrees was allowed, with the permission of your Bishop.