[Apologetics] Can Catholics also be Masons?

[Art Kelly]

Catholics defintely CANNOT be Masons. See the article
in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia at
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09771a.htm

Art

--- Dianne Dawson <rcdianne at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
http://annunciations.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/can-catholics-also-be-masons/
>    
>   Can Catholics also be Masons?    The answer is no!
>    From The Pilot:
>     The question repeatedly arises, and the answer
> is still no, a Vatican official reminded
> participants at a recent conference on Freemasonry.
>   The worldwide fraternal group certainly
> accomplishes impressive charitable works, as its 22
> Shriners Hospitals for Children attest.
>   But Freemasonry’s core philosophy is incompatible
> with the Catholic faith, noted Bishop Gianfranco
> Girotti at a forum on the issue at Rome’s St.
> Bonaventure Pontifical Theological Faculty, Zenit
> news reported.
>   Bishop Girotti, regent of the Apostolic
> Penitentiary, quoted the 1983 “Declaration on
> Masonic Associations,” signed by then prefect of the
> Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal
> Joseph Ratzinger.
>   The text states that since the principles of
> Masonic associations “have always been considered
> irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church,”
> membership in them, therefore, “remains forbidden.”
>   Later in the article they reference the excellent
> book by John Salza (a former Mason) on the topic:
>     Apparently there are more than a few clergy
> unclear on the issue.
>   In a book released by Our Sunday Visitor
> Publishing, author John Salza explains how as a
> lifelong Catholic, he was initiated into Wisconsin’s
> Masonic Lodge.
>   Although attracted by its camaraderie and
> philanthropy, he became increasingly troubled by its
> philosophy. His parish priest was unaware of any
> prohibition against joining.
>   Finally, Salza became more literate in his own
> faith, and found theologians who showed him the
> light. In “Masonry Unmasked: An Insider Reveals the
> Secrets of the Lodge,” he gives a Catholic
> perspective.
> 
> 
> 
> Like a deer that longs for running waters so my soul
> longs for you, O God.
> 
> Ps 42:1
>  
>  
> 
> 
> 
>        
> ---------------------------------
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ART KELLY, ATM-S
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