Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons, [Part 1]

The Colorado Catholic Herald ^ | 11/4/11

[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.

[xkaydet65]

In 1967 at SheaStadium the NY Mets had a nite to announce a joint effort by NY area Masonic lodges and KofC chapters to raise charitable donations for IIRC children’s medical care. The representatives of both orbs were in their formal organizational attire.

[Nip]

Bill Howard had better start doing his own research.

The 32nd degree is achievable by all adult males who become Masons.

Sorry, but I stopped right there.

Disclaimer: I am a 32nd degree mason in both the Scottish and York Rites.

[marshmallow]

There are two main concerns regarding Freemasonry.

Firstly, freemasonry was explicitly anti-Catholic in recent history and in some parts of the world, still is. It aimed to undermine the Catholic Church. For this reason, the Code of Canon Law of 1917 (canon 2335) mentioned freemasonry explicitly and stated that membership carried a penalty of excommunication. The revised Code of Canon Law of 1983, does not mention freemasonry explicitly but it is implicit in canon 1374.

As the revised code does not mention freemasonry explicitly, some got the idea that the penalties for freemasonry membership had been revoked but this is not the case. In fact, The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a statement to this effect on November 26 1983.

The second issue with freemasonry is that, it can lead to indifferentism, i.e. that a person can be equally pleasing to God while adhering to any faith. It also masquerades as a quasi-religion itself.

As the "New Catholic Encylopedia" states...."Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It includes temples and altars, prayers, a moral code, worship, vestments, feast days, the promise of reward or punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiation and burial rites."

[Vendome]

I am secretary of Keith Lodge.

Yes, I am aware we do not communicate with European Lodges the sames as Prince, though I think we should find a way to communicate with them.

[ontap]

Anyone interested ca n go here for a partial list of Masonic members.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Freemasons

[Vendome]

Correct.

[ontap]

Freemasons among the U.S. Founding Fathers

Some people think that almost all the Founding Fathers were Freemasons, and others that very few were. You can find information about which of the Founding Fathers, signers of the Declaration of Independence, signers of the Constitution, and Generals in the Continental Army under Washington, were Masons.

Signers of the Declaration of Independence who were Freemasons

Signers of the U.S. Constitution who were Freemasons

Generals in the Continental Army under George Washington who were Freemasons

In summary:

Category Total Number Involved Number & Percent Who Were Freemasons
Signers of the Declaration of Independence 56 9 — 16%
Signers of the U.S. Constitution 39 13 — 33%
Generals in the Continental Army 74 33 — 46%

[Vendome]

Not in Free Masonry.

[DaveMSmith]

I think the woman’s adjunct is called The Eastern Star.

[longtermmemmory]

This is from England:
http://www.ugle.org.uk/static/masonry/freemasonry-and-religion.htm

Freemasonry and Religion

Introduction

The following information is intended to deal with a topic mentioned in the leaflet ‘What is Freemasonry’.

It explains the United Grand Lodge of England’s view of the relationship between Freemasonry and religion.

Basic Statement

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members a belief in a Supreme Being but provides no system of faith of its own.

Freemasonry is open to men of all religious faiths. The discussion of religion at its meetings is forbidden.

The Supreme Being

The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as each sees Him) without the terms of the prayer causing dissention among them.

There is no separate Masonic God; a Freemason’s God remains the God of the religion he professes.

Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, but He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God.

Volume of the Sacred Law

The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open at every Masonic meeting.

The Obligation of Freemasonry

The Obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volume of the Sacred Law, or the book held sacred by those concerned. They are undertakings to help keep secret a Freemason’s means of recognition, and to follow the principles of Freemasonry.

The physical penalties, which are purely symbolic, do not form part of an Obligation. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is, however, deep.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion.

a) it has no theological doctrine, and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic theological doctrine to develop.

b) It offers no sacraments.

c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation.

Freemasonry Supports Religion

Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to God, by whatever name He is known. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Freemasonry is thus a supporter of religion.

see also: http://www.ugle.org.uk/what-is-masonry/frequently-asked-questions/

these are from wikipedia footnote links.

[Vendome]

I have serious doubts this person was raised and then went on the Scottish Rite.

He would understand very well why the request is made to remove any metal object and his story seems uninformed.

Moreover, he would have sat through many initiations and heard the lectures as to why metal is removed for initiates.

[marshmallow]

The 32nd degree is achievable by all adult males who become Masons.

There is no contradiction between what you are saying and what is printed above.

Howard simply says that the 32nd degree is a "select group". IOW, that while in theory it is achievable by all, not all attain this rank.

Am I wrong?

[Vendome]

yes, it’s called Eastern Star.

[marshmallow]

And this is from the Catholic Encyclopedia; Freemasonry

[ontap]

Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel

This is simply not true Proposeed members are told explicitly that Masonry is not a substitute for religion and does not claim to be.

freemasonry was explicitly anti-Catholic in recent history and in some parts of the world, still is.

Any Mason who proposes to be anti-Catholic and claims masonry as the reason is speaking on his own behalf and has no standing in Masonry for any such belief. There are Catholics who are members of the Masonic Lodge and I suppose are right with their own conscience. As a Mason I and my fellow Masons would welcome them and would ask nothing of them that they would be uncomfortable with. We bear no ill will toward Catholicism

[marshmallow]

This is simply not true Proposeed members are told explicitly that Masonry is not a substitute for religion and does not claim to be.

Actions speak louder than words.

When there are altars, vestments, prayers, oaths etc, this religious symbolism is very powerful.

We bear no ill will toward Catholicism

I believe you. I'm sure the same is true throughout much of the USA. This has not always been the case elsewhere, however.

[ontap]

I believe you. I'm sure the same is true throughout much of the USA. This has not always been the case elsewhere, however.

One should be very careful when referring to past deeds.....the Catholic church has some pretty dark moments in it's history. History is rife with instances of men interpreting gods word to fit their own deeds! There are things in all our pasts that we would prefer had not happened.

[ontap]

not all attain this rank.

Any Mason that seeks it can obtain it.

[ontap]

altars, vestments, prayers, oaths etc, this religious symbolism is very powerful.

All these things can be found at the Olympics, are the Olympic Games a religion?

[Iscool]

my intiation required belief in a higher power.

You were required to read or quote from the Bible...And you were given a Bible to take home...There's a giant 'G' somewhere near a compass and square that signifies 'God'...Maybe you didn't get the connection...

And if I remember correctly, God is mentioned thruout the initiation...