Declaration on Masonic Associations
(Quaesitum est)
http://www.vatican.va
English Translation of a Latin Document from the Sacred Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith November 26, 1983
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
is 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
associations 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 enroll 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 whatbeen decided above, and this
in line with the declaration of this sacred congregation issued
Feb. 17,1981. [1]
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, Nov. 26, 1983
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect
Father Jerome Hamer, O.P. Titular Archbishop of Lorium, Secretary
1. Cf. AAS 73 (1981) pp. 240-241.
As the declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith on Masonry says, no Catholic may be a Mason. By grave sin
the Church means that to continue as a Mason in contempt of this
decision of the Supreme Pontiff, Pope John Paul II, is grave matter,
which together with knowledge of that fact and free choice makes
for mortal sin. Such a person would be unable to receive Holy Communion
until such time as he renounced Masonry and went to Confession.
You will also notice that the statement of Cardinal Ratzinger says
that the local priest or even a bishop has no authority to change
this.
Someone who was not aware of these facts would, of course, not
be guilty of mortal sin. However, once a Catholic is aware of the
Church's position, he is obliged to follow it. From that point
forward, to disregard the judgment of the Church would be, as the
Congregation declares, seriously wrong.
Some have tried to say that American Masonry is different from
European Masonry, which has a history of plotting against the government
and the Church. The basic problem with all Masonry, however, is
that it is a society which fosters a religious- philosophical attitude
of indifference to religious truth, even substituting its own naturalistic
dogma and rituals for those of Christianity. Such indifference
is incompatible with belief in the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation.
We may not "play-act" in the lodge of the Great Architect
on Thursday night, then worship "in spirit and in truth" on
Sunday morning at the altar of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ
is the unique Lord and Redeemer of the Universe, the Word-made-flesh
who reveals the Father, and who together with the Father sends
the Holy Spirit. The Creed and the Masonic oath are irreconcilable!
Masonry is not the Jaycees, in which people of all religions and
philosophies come together to work on local business problems.
Masonry has its own religious and philosophical worldview, its
own religious language, its rituals and its morality. In the library
of every lodge you will find Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma. A
top American Mason, he is the greatest writer on the real meaning
behind Masonic beliefs and rituals. Even the title of his book
shows that Masonry has a morality and a doctrine. If they are not
Catholic morality and Catholic doctrine, and in fact they aren't
even Christian, a Catholic or any Christian may not follow them.
This is why, since the 1700s the popes have consistently rejected
Freemasonry as incompatible with the faith. The motives and works
of most masons may be good and benign, but this does not change
the choice which the Catholic has to make between the religious
philosophy of masonry and that of Catholicism.
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