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Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons, [Part 1]
The Colorado Catholic Herald ^ | 11/4/11

Posted on 03/08/2012 6:58:13 AM PST by marshmallow

Catholic attorney John Salza once found himself inside a masonic hall, being asked to take off his wedding ring and crucifix as he swore an oath to be reborn as a Freemason.

Although he knew in his heart that something was wrong, he did not leave right away. Over several years, he advanced to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite — a level that only a select group of masons are invited to.

While he was told that masonry was compatible with Catholicism, he eventually could not reconcile the two and left the masons. In 2008, Salza wrote a basic, short treatise, “Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons,” (TAN Publishing) that addressed the serious conflicts that lay between Catholicism and Freemasonry (including the Shriners).

In mid-September, Bishop Michael Sheridan interviewed Salza for his Catholic Radio Network weekly show, “Bishop Sheridan Presents,” and the show aired Oct. 1-7. Over the next 2-3 issues, we are running a transcript of the show.

Bill Howard, Editor In Chief

Bishop Sheridan: Welcome to all in the Lord Jesus. On our program today we are going to be discussing the topic of Masonry, or the Masons, or sometimes called the Freemasons; an organization that we know is not associated with the Catholic Church but wanted to bring up on this program because it seems, at least in my experience in talking to other priests and bishops, that there are perhaps a good number of Catholic men who become involved with the Masons, very often in very good faith, thinking that they are in a fraternal organization that is not in any way at odds with the Catholic Church. Our guest today, I think, is going to lead us in a very different direction. We are joined by John Salza. Welcome John.

John Salza: Your Excellency, thank you.

(Excerpt) Read more at coloradocatholicherald.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholicism; freemasonry; freemasons; masons
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To: texteacher

there are evangelical sects that prohibit the trinity.

all claim to have “THE” answer as to what is or is not christian.


21 posted on 03/08/2012 7:33:10 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Claud

The ban is still in effect. It will never be changed.


22 posted on 03/08/2012 7:35:49 AM PST by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: arthurus

Is it even enforced?

I don’t see enforcement divorce rules anymore. (annulments vs echlisiatical (sp?) divorces)

the vatican did just make nice nice with the knigts templar.


23 posted on 03/08/2012 7:40:42 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: longtermmemmory

My pastor who is also the Chaplain of my Knights of Columbus Council explained the penalty we would incur if any us us joined the Masons. This was last month. We were very surprised.


24 posted on 03/08/2012 7:42:03 AM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: longtermmemmory

I am a Mason....I know of no conspiracies.


25 posted on 03/08/2012 7:43:00 AM PST by ontap
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To: longtermmemmory

So do they accept women?

That’s the problem. LOL


26 posted on 03/08/2012 7:43:12 AM PST by ladyjane
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To: marshmallow

My dad became a Mason and a Shriner and offered to sponsor me. I had to tell him (a devout Christian, as am I), “They require a blood oath, and my blood is spoken for.” I can’t understand how one can be a Christian and take the oaths required by freemasonry.


27 posted on 03/08/2012 7:46:00 AM PST by jagusafr ("Write in Palin and prepare for war...")
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To: marshmallow

What a stilted piece. I don’t really want to comment on the ritual but he was asked to remove the cross and the wedding ring not because they represented the church but because they are considered jewelry. He is using some sort of paranoid fantasy to ascribe anti-christian reasons for things that have nothing to do with christianity. If you walk into a hall you will meet decent hardworking Americans who all believe in God and most would feel at home amongst Freepers!


28 posted on 03/08/2012 7:47:10 AM PST by libertarian neocon
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To: Iscool
Over several years, he advanced to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite

This is not a correct statement, there is no higher degree of Mason than The Blue Lodge.Scottish Rite is an additional responsibility but does not constitute a higher step!!

29 posted on 03/08/2012 7:48:04 AM PST by ontap
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To: Iscool

my intiation required belief in a higher power.


30 posted on 03/08/2012 7:48:20 AM PST by absolootezer0 (2x divorced tattooed pierced harley hatin meghan mccain luvin' REAL beer drinkin' smoker ..what?)
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To: G Larry
Catholics may not be Masons.

If this is true it is not because of any thing the Masons believe. Masonic rules allow Catholics to participate!

31 posted on 03/08/2012 7:51:37 AM PST by ontap
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To: ladyjane

that’s a problem?

seriously, don’t they have a women’s adjunct?

(the vatican does not allow women priests.)


32 posted on 03/08/2012 7:53:41 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: massgopguy

forgot about that, knights of columbus was started as a “catholic” fremason group.

has anyone been penalized? publicly in a documented location that can be referenced. (IOW not some anecdote)


33 posted on 03/08/2012 7:56:46 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Vendome

Friday October 13, 1307


34 posted on 03/08/2012 7:58:51 AM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: ontap

youtube has some old conspiracy theories talking about a 100th degree!

we need a central conspiracy theory site. something like

tinfoild had .com.....oh wait we have one it is over at du.com.


35 posted on 03/08/2012 7:59:24 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: ontap

youtube has some old conspiracy theories talking about a 100th degree!

we need a central conspiracy theory site. something like

tinfoild hat .com.....oh wait we have one it is over at du.com.


36 posted on 03/08/2012 7:59:37 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: longtermmemmory
seriously, don’t they have a women’s adjunct?

It's known as The Order of the Eastern Star

37 posted on 03/08/2012 7:59:54 AM PST by ontap
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To: longtermmemmory
seriously, don’t they have a women’s adjunct?

There is a group called eastern star, that is masonic group that allows men and women. male members must be masons, females must be related to a mason. they meet in the lodge, work with the masons on many of their community projects as well as having their own.
38 posted on 03/08/2012 8:01:38 AM PST by absolootezer0 (2x divorced tattooed pierced harley hatin meghan mccain luvin' REAL beer drinkin' smoker ..what?)
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To: Vendome

But they were Templars, not Masons. Certainly not the same thing.

This is all nonsense. There are Catholics who are Free Masons and there is cooperation between the Knights of Columbus and the Masons.

Let me remind you that the Masons in England and the U.S. have no communication with many of the European Masonic lodges. That is a long complicated story that has roots before the French Revolution.

Never expect an honest statement about Free Masonry from a Catholic zealot.


39 posted on 03/08/2012 8:03:14 AM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: longtermmemmory

There is no shortage of conspiracies about the freemasons.


40 posted on 03/08/2012 8:03:35 AM PST by ontap
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