Arr, Vatican be sayin' nay to joinin' Freemasonry, fer 'tis a wicked secret society! 'Tis a grave sin, mateys!
2023-11-15
Arrr, ye landlubbers! The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith be sayin' that no Catholic scallywag be allowed to join them Freemasonic secret societies. They be callin' it a "grave sin," so mind yer ways, lest ye be walkin' the plank!
The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) has issued a document reaffirming the Catholic Church's stance on Freemasonry. The document, released on November 13th and signed by Pope Francis and DDF Prefect Cardinal Victor Fernández, states that participation in Freemasonry is considered a "grave sin" for both laity and clerics. The document refers to a 1983 declaration by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, which forbids active membership in Freemasonry due to the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry.The clarification was requested by Bishop Julito Cortes of the Philippines, who expressed concerns about the growing interest in Freemasonry in his country. Freemasonry is the world's largest secret society and has millions of members worldwide. The society requires its members to swear oaths of secrecy and maintains a vast catalog of rituals and ceremonial attire.
The Catholic Church prohibits its members from joining or affiliating with Freemasonry due to the organization's deistic and non-Christian teachings about divinity. Catholic leaders have also accused Freemasonry of idolatry and opposition to Christianity. However, it is important to note that Freemasonry varies between different rites, sects, lodges, and national bodies, with different cultural focuses.
The Vatican recommended a pastoral approach to address the issue of Freemasonry, suggesting that bishops in the Philippines provide catechesis to educate the laity about the reasons behind the irreconcilability between the Catholic faith and Freemasonry. It is still debated whether joining a Freemasonic lodge automatically results in excommunication from the Catholic Church under Canon Law.