Posted on 04/07/2009 5:56:05 AM PDT by chuck_the_tv_out
I immediately disclaim expertise in the areas of moral theology and Canon Law. However, I dimly remember an instruction issued some years back by the CDF (I think) that might relate to your situation.
When the Code of Canon Law was updated in 1983, the use of the words related to “freemasonry” was abandoned for stylistic reasons and replaced with words that were more generic. For a short while, many Catholics believed that the ban on Masonic membership had been lifted, and at least some Catholics, acting in good faith, became Masons.
The Church issued a clarifying document soon after they realized what happened that reiterated the ban on membership in Freemasonry. However, the Church allowed that those who became Masons in good faith might be permitted to retain their membership, especially if their membership were important for career and work, as long as such men didn't hold Lodge offices, or participate actively in certain aspects of their Lodge, or go out of their way to publicly note their Masonic membership.
I'd recommend that you might independently researched the relevant Church pronouncements related to what happened after the promulgation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, but that might be a fruitful direction.
sitetest
My Pat, the really weird one (as opposed to the seven who are somewhat less so), just passed by and said, “I can fix that with my skull drill!”
See post #41.
LOL!
“That’s OUR JOB. Only the Freemasons get to do that! Keep your hands OFF our conspiracies!”
Surely the world's big enough for TWO obscure, secretive groups running around and pulling strings and committing conspiracies. I know that many Councils and Lodges have joint parties & things. Our Council for many years participated in Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies with the local Lodge. Couldn't we have joint conspiracy parties? We'll bring the beer. And we won't even notice when the Baptists drink most of it.
sitetest
Your citation is the one that reiterated the ban, but I dimly recall a later notice that specifically addressed those who had joined the Masons during the brief period between the new Code of Canon Law and the issuance of the notice in your link.
But I might be misremembering. I turn 49 next week, and await my oncoming senescence. LOL.
sitetest
> Couldn’t we have joint conspiracy parties? We’ll bring the beer. And we won’t even notice when the Baptists drink most of it.
LOL! Sounds like a party to me. I’ll be there for sure!
As a Southern Baptist I can attest the fact that K of C can make a mean batch of corned beef and cabbage. I never miss it.
> Sorry, DH, from the church’s POV, membership in the Masons (and other secret societies) is absolutely forbidden.
Hmmmmm... then perhaps I’d best keep my membership in my secret society secret.
Well, my only suggestion to you on that note is to start wearing the Miraculous Medal.
> Well, my only suggestion to you on that note is to start wearing the Miraculous Medal.
The Miraculous Medal?
Cheers for that — I shall call by St Patrick’s later today and see if they have any in stock.
I’m glad you’re taking the initiative. :-)
We repeart and repeat — REAL Catholics, REAL evangelicals, REAL Lutherans, REAL Episcopalians, REAL Jews did not vote for Obama!
Just the ones who are Catholics in Name Only, Evangelicals in Name Only Lutherans in Name Only, Episcopalians in Name ONly Jews in Name Only — Get the picture??
The REAL adherents to their doctrine did NOT vote for Obama! And the media doesn’t know the difference!
Thanks for that observation.
What is the Catholic Church's position on Freemasonry?
The Church, through its Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has formally declared that Catholics who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. This declaration, which is the most recent teaching of the Church, has affirmed nearly 300 years of papal pronouncements against Freemasonry on the grounds that the teachings of the Lodge are contrary to Catholic faith and morals.
The Church’s declaration on Freemasonry exposes Catholic Masons to a number of penalties under canon law. For example, a Catholic who is aware that the Church authoritatively judges membership in Freemasonry to be gravely sinful must not approach Holy Communion (c. 916). The Church imposes the duty upon all grave sinners not to make a sacrilegious communion. Such a Catholic Mason who is aware of the grave sin must receive absolution in a sacramental confession before being able to receive communion again, unless there is a grave reason and no opportunity to confess (c. 916). This confession, in order to be valid, also requires the Catholic Mason to renounce his Masonic membership.
Further, because membership in Freemasonry is an external or public condition, the Catholic Mason can be refused Holy Communion by the pastors of the Church for obstinately persevering in his Masonic membership (c. 915). Such a Catholic Mason would also be forbidden from receiving the Anointing of the Sick (c. 1007) as well as ecclesiastical funeral rites if public scandal were to result (c. 1184, §1, °3).
Canon 1364 also imposes an automatic excommunication upon apostates, heretics, or schismatics. This canon could also apply to Catholic Masons. If, for example, a Catholic Mason embraced the theological teachings of Freemasonry that the Church has condemned (indifferentism, syncretism), he would be in heresy by virtue of his belief in these teachings. Further, if a Catholic Mason knew the Church opposes membership in Freemasonry, and yet adamantly and persistently refused to submit to the pope’s authority in precluding his membership in the Lodge, he may also find himself in schism. Catholic Masons could also be subject to canon 1374 which imposes an interdict or just penalty upon those who join associations that plot against the Church.
For the canonical penalties to apply, the Catholic Mason would have to act in a gravely imputable way (that is, the Catholic would have to be aware of the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry and, after being warned about it, choose to disregard it). In my personal experience, a fair number of Catholic Masons do act in a gravely imputable way in regard to their Masonic membership. In these cases, the canonical penalties, including excommunication, apply. The Church's penalties are not meant to alienate the person on whom the penalty is levied. Instead, the penalties are meant to communicate to the person the gravity of his conduct, encourage his repentance and reconciliation with the Church, and bring him back into the one fold of Christ. After all, the mission of the Church is the salvation of souls.
**then perhaps I’d best keep my membership in my secret society secret.**
Do you really think you can keep secrets from God?
Read the information posted by Pyro and which I posted. Being a Free Mason is a grave sin, akin to excommunication.
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