Freemasons?

[geocajun]

Quaesitum est


CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH


DECLARATION ON MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS



It has been asked whether there has been any change in the Church’s decision in regard to Masonic associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly, unlike the previous Code.

This Sacred Congregation is in a position to reply that this circumstance in due to an editorial criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise unmentioned inasmuch as they are contained in wider categories.

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

It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the Declaration of this Sacred Congregation issued on 17 February 1981 (cf. AAS 73 1981 pp. 240-241; English language edition of L’Osservatore Romano, 9 March 1981).

In an audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this Declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this Sacred Congregation.

Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 26 November 1983.

Joseph Card. RATZINGER
Prefect

+ Fr. Jerome Hamer, O.P.
Titular Archbishop of Lorium
Secretary

 

[billmcelligott]

I am not sure if there any other Masons on this board.

I am very happy to debate the rights and wrongs of Masonry.

If anyone wishes to make any specific charge against Freemasonry, please let it fly.

My response will be truthful and reasoned, supported by evidence.

Respectfully

Bill

 

[Woodsy]

I was made a Mason many years ago, before I found Christ. I had been in close associations with other Masons for years before radically changing my lifestyle. I agree wholeheartedly with the Catholic Church's stance regarding Freemasonry.
One thing that's interesting to me today is how many of my old Neopagan friends are making their home in Freemasonry today. One has said that it was the very anti-Christian allegations against Freemasonry that made him want to join.
Albert Pike's Morals & Dogma is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants a deeper insight into Masonic beliefs than the average Mason will share with them over coffee.

 

[Woodsy]

CLARIFICATION CONCERNING STATUS OF CATHOLICS BECOMING FREEMASONS ​

Issued by the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, February 17, 1981. ​

On 19 July 1974 this Congregation wrote to some Episcopal Conferences a private letter concerning the interpretation of can 2335 of the Code of Canon Law which forbids Catholics, under the penalty of excommunication, to enroll in Masonic or other similar associations.

Since the said letter has become public and has given rise to erroneous and tendentious interpretations, this Congregation, without prejudice to the eventual norms of the new Code, issues the following confirmation and clarification:

1) the present canonical discipline remains in full force and has not been modified in any way;

2) consequently, neither the excommunication nor the other penalties envisaged have been abrogated;

3) what was said in the aforesaid letter as regards the interpretation to be given to the canon in question should be understood-as the Congregation intended-mere]y as a reminder of the general principles of interpretation of penal laws for the solution of the cases of individual persons which may be submitted to the judgment of ordinaries. 1t was not, however, the intention of the Congregation to permit Episcopal Conferences to issue public pronouncements by way of a judgment of a general character on the nature of Masonic associations, which would imply a derogation from the aforesaid norms.

Rome, from the Office of the S. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 17 February 1981.

PRESENT LEGISLATION
The present legislation of the Church is contained in canon 1374:

Can. 1374 A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict.

In the previous Code (can 2335), Masonry is explicitly mentioned. As the declaration of 26 November 1983 explains, the omission of the name "Mason" in the present Church law is due to an "editorial criterion". Masonic associations are thus included under a more general heading which could include any other association conspiring against the Church (e.g. a specific communist party).

Some Documents of the Popes on Masonry.
CLEMNE XII In Eminenti, const. 24 Apr. 1738
BENEDICT XIV Providas, const. 18 May 1751
PIUS VII Ecclesiam a Jesu Christo, const. 13 Sept. 1821
LEO XII Quo Graviora, const. 13 Mar. 1825
PIUS VIII Traditi Humilitati, ency. 24 May 1829
GREGORY XVI Mirari Vos, encyc. 15 Aug. 1832
PIUS IX Qui Pluribus, encyc. 9 Nov. 1846
LEO XIII Humanum Genus, encyc. 20 Apr. 1884
LEO XIII Dall' Alto Dell' Opostolico, Seggio, encyc.
LEO XIII Inimica Vos, encyc. 8 Dec. 1892,.
LEO XIII Custodi Di Quella Fede, encyc. 8 Dec. 1892

From: http://www.cin.org/vatcong/freem.html

 

[geocajun]

I was made a Mason many years ago, before I found Christ. I had been in close associations with other Masons for years before radically changing my lifestyle. I agree wholeheartedly with the Catholic Church's stance regarding Freemasonry.
One thing that's interesting to me today is how many of my old Neopagan friends are making their home in Freemasonry today. One has said that it was the very anti-Christian allegations against Freemasonry that made him want to join.
Albert Pike's Morals & Dogma is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants a deeper insight into Masonic beliefs than the average Mason will share with them over coffee.

Tribe, glad to meet you, it appears we share a similar history as I was also a freemason prior to becoming a Christian, and I also share your same sentiments you expression about it, and the Church's stance on it.
hope to talk to you again sometime,

 

[Woodsy]

Tribe, glad to meet you, it appears we share a similar history as I was also a freemason prior to becoming a Christian, and I also share your same sentiments you expression about it, and the Church's stance on it.
hope to talk to you again sometime,

Good to hear from you!
Did you also realise that Aleister Crowley was a Freemason, and his organisation, the OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis) considers itself a Masonic organisation? I studied quite a bit of Crowley during my darker days, as well.

 

[Woodsy]

Despite the Church's clear rejection of Freemasonry, Catholics are falsely told that they can join the Lodge without compromising their faith. The evidence shows that Freemasonry is itself a religion, although Masons will deny that this is so. The "New Catholic Encyclopedia" states that "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 and punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiative and burial rites" (vol. 6, page 137).

In support of their position, Masons claim that they are forbidden to even discuss religion. One might be inclined to believe that such a rule exists for the sake of keeping religion out of the Lodge. But it actually serves to keep Masons from challenging the unorthodox teachings of Freemasonry. Much of what is taught to Masons is of a religious nature. One could only challenge it from a religious standpoint. But Masons are not allowed to discuss their religion. As a result, new teachings are not questioned. When people are exposed to an ideology long enough there is an unconscious tendency to accept it. When this happens in a close knit society, like that of the Lodge, the rate of acceptance is even higher.

Masonic authorities, such as Albert Mackey, Albert Pike and Henry Coil, all confirm the fact that Freemasonry is a religion.

In Albert G. Mackey's "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," you will find the following:"The religion of Masonry is cosmopolitan, universal…" (volume 1, page 301).

Henry Wilson Coil writes: "Many Freemasons make this flight [to heaven] with no other guarantee of a safe landing than their belief in the religion of Freemasonry" (A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry page 186).

"Morals and Dogma" has been called "the most profound Masonic work written in the United States." Within its pages Albert Pike proclaims: "Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instructions in religion" (page 213). And, "Masonry…is the universal, eternal, immutable religion" (page 219).


From: http://www.staycatholic.com/freemasons.htm

Also:
Albert Pike writes: "If our conceptions of God are those of the ignorant, narrow minded, and vindictive Israelite…we feel that it is an affront and an indignity to [God]" (Morals and Dogma page 223).

Coil refers to the biblical God as "a partisan tribal God" and implies that such a God-concept is far inferior to the "God of Masonry" (Coils Masonic Encyclopedia page 516).

​

 

[geocajun]

Good to hear from you!
Did you also realise that Aleister Crowley was a Freemason, and his organisation, the OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis) considers itself a Masonic organisation? I studied quite a bit of Crowley during my darker days, as well.

I did not realize that, but then I have never been much of a Crowley fan. that is interesting information and I will bring that up to some guys I know who are still freemasons - I am anxious to get their response.

 

[Woodsy]

I did not realize that, but then I have never been much of a Crowley fan. that is interesting information and I will bring that up to some guys I know who are still freemasons - I am anxious to get their response.

Likely they will disavow him, say he wasn't a "real" Mason, etc.
His own order adopted the religious book that was "revealed" to him by a "praeternatural intelligence" named Aiwass. The Book of the Law sets out Crowley's philosophy which he claimed was in effect now since the Aeon of Christ is over.

 

[Woodsy]

It is also the case that the rituals of Crowley's O.T.O. , as well as those of the branch of Witchcraft (Wicca) invented by Gerald B. Gardner (himself an initiate of Aleister Crowley) all have their root within the initiatory rituals of Freemasonry's first three degrees (Blue Lodge).
Gerald B. Garder's branch of Wicca (called today Gardnerian Wicca) is the branch that produced the Book of SHadows upon which most contemporary Wiccan groups base their practices.
Gardner was a member of the O.T.O. and was given permission to start his own OTO group, which he apparently did when he started Wicca, even going so far as to use Crowley's poems and rituals in the Book of Shadows he wrote.

 

[geocajun]

Likely they will disavow him, say he wasn't a "real" Mason, etc.

thats the standard operating procedure

 

[Woodsy]

In the United States, one of the leaders of Freemasonry, General Albert Pike (d. 1891) referred to the papacy as "a deadly, treacherous enemy," and wrote, "The papacy has been for a thousand years the torturer and curse of humanity, the most shameless imposture, in its pretense to spiritual power of all ages."


From: http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/WHATMAS.htm

 

[billmcelligott]

Masonry can no more stop people from going off and starting a new Society, than a Church can stop a member of the congregation starting a new Church.

Its a personal choice and I would not wish to stop that choice.

 

[Philip James]

Hmmm. This is a lie that just won't die. As a 32rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, I can tell you that the only reference to Lucifer is as he was originally known in myth--the bearer of light--and never as Satan, the Devil, or any evil entity. 

Your 'bearer of light' is and has always been the sworn enemy of Jesus Christ and His church. You may not believe it or acknowledge it but it is Truth nonethenless.

Is it not this 'light-bringer' that the illuminati credit for their wisdom and their plans?
But their plans will fail, for this battle was won 2000 years ago on the cross.

Peace and Love!
PJ

 

[KennySe]

Question for Lodge posters

Explain who Jah-Bul-On is.
(Or is the spelling Jah-buh-lun or Jao-bul-on?)

Explain who Mah-Ha-Bone is.

Explain the word Abaddon.

The Lodge prides itself on its educational program, why does the Lodge not reveal all its knowledge openly?
Why must I join to be taught knowledge which can help me??

 

[billmcelligott]

Question for Lodge posters

Explain who Jah-Bul-On is.
(Or is the spelling Jah-buh-lun or Jao-bul-on?)

Explain who Mah-Ha-Bone is.

Explain the word Abaddon.

The Lodge prides itself on its educational program, why does the Lodge not reveal all its knowledge openly?
Why must I join to be taught knowledge which can help me??

First Question
(1) “Jah” = a shortened form of “Yahweh” or “Jehovah.”
(2) “Bul” = another form of “ba’al,” translated as “husband” throughout most of the Old Testament, but also translated as “master” in Exodus 22:8, and Judges 19:22-23.
(3) “On” = the same name God gave Moses when questioned, “whom shall I say has sent me?” The fact that this is a name for God is clear from the passage in Hosea 12:4, translating “house of On” from the Septuagint Greek version, which corresponds to the Hebrew “Bethel,” which means “House of God.”

Second Question
The second phrase is hebrew for " the builder is dead".

Third Question
The word has never arisen in any of the Masonic work or ritual that I have been engaged in However: this is the result of a general search.................

They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
Abbadon is hard to pin down. At times, both Heaven and Hell have claimed him as ally, other times they have both claimed him as enemy. It is clear what his Word is... he is the angel who will command the monstrous horde from the Abyss that will rampage over the earth in the end times, as Judgement approaches. What is not clear is who's orders he will be following at the time. When asked, he's extremely ambivalent about the whole matter.

Kenny , I would personally agree that the trdaitional secrecy has or is the cause of the suspision.

It is not a good idea for someone to be talked into being a Mason. You observe and if you see in a Mason good qualities, then maybe, just maybe you may wish to join and see why and where those qualities come from.

Masonry can not make a bad man good, it just brings together men who see that Fidelity and Trust are ornaments they wish to preserve.

 

[billmcelligott]

Your 'bearer of light' is and has always been the sworn enemy of Jesus Christ and His church. You may not believe it or acknowledge it but it is Truth nonethenless.

Is it not this 'light-bringer' that the illuminati credit for their wisdom and their plans?
But their plans will fail, for this battle was won 2000 years ago on the cross.

Peace and Love!
PJ

Always confusion over the term:

The term Lucifer is attributed to Satan as a name. The term has become personalised and has taken on a negative sense. Similarly, the term Morning Star has been attributed to Christ in a personalised fashion. When the Bible appears to refer to Satan as Day Star or Morning Star and to Christ as the Light-bearer, which is the sense of Lucifer, people apply the names in this personalised way and come to the wrong conclusion. Some have even gone to the extent of confusing Christ with Satan.

from:

Christian Churches of God
​

PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
​

 

[Philip James]

Always confusion over the term:

no confusion here. For we know the ONE who is True Light from True Light; and we know who the author of confusion is.

But your 'confusion' was a nice dodge of my question; here it is again:

Your 'bearer of light' is and has always been the sworn enemy of Jesus Christ and His church. You may not believe it or acknowledge it but it is Truth nonethenless.

Is it not this 'light-bringer' that the illuminati credit for their wisdom and their plans?

Peace and Love!
PJ

 

[MariaRegina]

They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
Abbadon is hard to pin down. At times, both Heaven and Hell have claimed him as ally, other times they have both claimed him as enemy. It is clear what his Word is... he is the angel who will command the monstrous horde from the Abyss that will rampage over the earth in the end times, as Judgement approaches. What is not clear is who's orders he will be following at the time. When asked, he's extremely ambivalent about the whole matter.

These may be far out questions:

1) The title of one of the Left Behind series is Apollyon. Is there any connection between masonry and the Left Behind series?

2) A priest said that the founder of the Mormons was a 33rd degree mason and that the Book of Mormon was actually a plagiarism of the 33rd degree book of masonry. Have you ever heard that before?

 

[billmcelligott]

Philip no dodge just reporting from a proven source. The distinction as I understand it is in the translation from the Greek. but I have no problem if you wish to call Satan who is in the Bible 'the light carier', although Lucifer who is not in the Bible and is refered to as 'the light carrier' , lucifer being a modern description. But it makes no difference, there is no worship of Lucifer or Satan in Masonry.

Repeat of previous post, With regard to morman Church.
Masonry can no more stop people from going off and starting a new Society, than a Church can stop a member of the congregation starting a new Church.

Its a personal choice and I would not wish to stop that choice.

Apparently I am not alowed to leave links in to take you to the source material.

I am not knowledgeable about the 'left behind series', so I am sorry I am unable to comment on that other than I had never heard of it . Which is an answer in itself. There is no connection.

You say Mormon as if it were a dirty word. There is no connection between Masonry and the Mormon Church. It was founded I believe by a Mason, probably as he was not encouraged to create an new religion within the Craft. I do not wish to get involved with any detriment to any Christian Church.