No, no, no no.
So why should a Catholic feel bound and guilty by a papal bull issued 300 years ago?
It is the current canon law, reiterated and emphasized by Cardinal Ratzinger speaking officially for the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and approved by Pope John Paul II in 1983, re-emphasized and explained by Cardinal Bernard Law in a letter to US Bishops April 19,1996 which included a study of American Masonry by Professor William Whalen of Purdue University written for the committee.
In my mind, it shouldn’t matter what a pope tells one to do.
In my mind it shouldn't matter what a mason leader tells me to do, but if I were to wish to become a mason, I'd need to change my mind.
You and I are free to become Catholics or Masons, but if we do, we're not free to write our own masonry rules or determine our own theology and Church teaching on faith and morals.
“In my mind it shouldn’t matter what a mason leader tells me to do, but if I were to wish to become a mason, I’d need to change my mind.”
There’s one huge difference right there. A Mason leader can’t order anyone to do anything.
I think we’ve beat this horse into the ground. I know that Catholics have issues with Freemasonry and I find that unfortunate. If the church could truly see us for what we are, I believe they would feel differently. Sadly, there is too much water under the bridge in the form of conspiracy theories, lies, and fantastic tales - and guilt on the part of the Catholic church itself in the history of Freemasonry. But who knows, perhaps someday we will be looked upon in a better light. After all, the Vatican is finally thawing out to the Jews. Maybe we’ll be next.
Thanks much for your insight. It was a pleasure debating with you.
One last thing, I see your signature has a bit of Latin in it. I don’t know what it says, but we Freemasons have a saying in Latin as well:
Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit
“Whom virtue has united, death shall not separate”
Good luck to you D-fendr on your virtuous journey.