Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Masonic Associations

It is all around us now. You see them displayed prominently on many car windows, this Masonry sticker. Suddenly it has become vague for many to become a member of Masonry. I have even seen a priest's car with this sticker. However, the Catholic Church never really lifted its anathema of Freemasonry or whatever colorful name they call it. And in the ministry of spiritual liberation and exorcism, personal membership to this secret group or anyone of direct ancestors will always serve a hindrance to healing of liberation. It goes to show how vile the bondage is.

Here is the document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the prohibition for Catholics to join this group. It is lamentable that Bishops and Priests are really oblivious to the dangers it bring not only to the Church as a whole but for the salvation of men.

------------------------------------

Premise. Freemasonry was condemned as incompatible with the Christian faith by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical Humanum genus, in 1884. The 1983 document from CDF affirms the status quo.

Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding 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