Sandra Miesel explains why Catholics can't be Masons

No pope has ever been a Mason. The Catholic Church has warily monitored Freemasonry from the time it penetrated Europe. In 1738, Pope Clement XII condemned the Craft for its dependence on mere natural virtue while ignoring Christ's unique role as Savior. He also denounced the rash oaths it demanded of members to protect trivial Lodge secrets.

Catholics who joined the Masons were excommunicated, with reconciliation reserved to the pope. This decree had little effect, however, because it wasn't published in every land, nor was it always taken seriously where it was published. Eight subsequent popes would have to repeat the message, most forcefully Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical Humanum Genus (On Freemasonry).

Denouncing the Lodge as "a deceitful and crafty enemy," Pope Leo declared, "Let no man think that he may for any reason whatsoever join the Masonic sect, if he values his Catholic name and his eternal salvation as he ought to value them." The 1917 Code of Canon Law included these stern prohibitions.

After the Second Vatican Council, however, the long hostility between Lodge and Church seemed to be easing. A reinterpretation of the anti-Masonic canons in 1974 led some Catholics to think that only Masonic groups actively plotting against the Church were forbidden to them.

Even so, some Freemasons had actually been plotting against the Vatican through its bank. In 1981, two of the pope's top financial advisers - known all along as Masons - were unmasked as members of a secret Lodge called Propaganda Due that was plotting a fascist takeover of Italy. Both men later died mysteriously. The Vatican lost $240,000 with the collapse of its bank.

Changing views

Rome's softer view of Masonry was abruptly reversed in 1981 just before the financial scandal broke. Although the current Code of Canon Law issued in 1983 fails to mention the Craft by name, in the same year the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith firmly reiterated the original ban:

"The Church's negative position on Masonic associations therefore remains unaltered since their principles have always been regarded as irreconcilable with the Church's doctrine."

Sandra, by the way, has already finished reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol (I'm on page 30 and don't know if I have the strength to continue). I spoke to her yesterday shortly after she had reached the underwhelming conclusion of the novel, and she noted it was a sort of "love poem" to Masonry, with occasional swipes at Christianity. And today she wrote: "I finished THE LOST SYMBOL, which is a tad better than DA VINCI CODE despite being rah rah pro-Masonic propaganda.By no means is it a 'good' book, even for popcorn reading." She is working on a piece about the novel, the Masons, and other esoteric topics for Catholic World Report (so subscribe now!).

What is it about Freemasonry that would cause churches to forbid or openly discourage seventy million Americans from membership? Why have eight popes condemned the Lodge? Why has the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Masonic order been strained for centuries? Christianity and American Freemasonry answers these and many other questions and describes why Christ ianity and Freemasonry are incompatible.

Today over two million American men belong to the Masonic order, the largest and oldest secret fraternal society. In earlier history the Freemasons boasted a prestigious membership, including fourteen American presidents and such founding fathers as Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, and Alexander Hamilton. This is the most complete reference book available on the subject. Chapters discuss the rituals and oaths, the Scottish and York rites, allied organizations such as the Shriners, and the historic antagonism of Christianity toward Masonry. It is thoroughly documented with facts from:

• the three most noted experts on Masonry in America
• Masonic ritual books, encyclopedias, and histories
• three former Masons, now active Catholics, who contributed firsthand knowledge of Masonic ritual and structure.

No rings or motorcycles? Count me out.

I was wondering if I could join the Mummers and wear the clown suits and play the banjo in parades.

The other option is joing the Shriners cause those little cars they drive in parades are pretty cool.

The Shriners actually do a great job with Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Someone has a blog where they opine that “Government Motors is a Shirner Conspiracy.”

The Shriners were apparently an offshoot of the Masons/Illuminati.

Pope Leo XIII im sure was a nice well-meaning man. But the fact remains, he was an Italian who became a Monarch. He openly disagreed with freedom of speech and thought and was ill equipped to understand the uniqueness on the USA.

Ill stick with Masons, Ethan Allen, Edmund Burke, John Claypoole, William Daws, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John Paul Jones, Robert Livingston, Paul Revere, Colonel Benjamin Tupper, and George Washington.

The popes were upset that there was a movement they couldnt direct. Masons are built upon the idea that if a group of men believe in something higher than themselves, that its better to seek the common morality, instead of bickering over petty sectarian details.

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

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But it’s to be expected that the Catholic church, or any other, might not like the Masons. Masons are specifically dedicated to avoiding sectarian issues, and concentrating on improving relations between ALL men of faith. Even different faiths. The important thing to masons is that members acknowledge existence of God. This seems to be a good starting place for good men of all faiths to improve each other as men.

“there is a difference between British/US Freemasonry and the Continental European variety”

True,, very true. And i for one thank God that our founders were inspired by Masonic ideals. It served us well until the Socialists took over.

If the Catholic church wanted to do something good, they would do better to forbid members from being democrats rather than forbidding that they become masons, IMO.

“unless you count his leadership of the Catholic Church”

Thats what i meant. Despite not claiming a state beyond the Vatican, it’s a monarchy in all but name. A human claiming to represent God, and direct the activities of other men, here on earth. That is straight from all european monarchies.

A guy just arriving from Mars would have a difficult time telling a pope from any other royal.

If the Catholic church wanted to do something good, they would do better to forbid members from being democrats rather than forbidding that they become masons, IMO.

If they did that they had better put all of the churches in Boston up for sale.

Well for that matter they had better put out feelers to the Southern Baptist to see if they can send over a few thousand ministers to get ordained.

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