The Vatican has prohibited the Catholic community from joining the Freemasons, an ancient covert society.
The document released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the faith, requested the faithful to not get involved or affiliated with Freemasonry groups.
The 1983 document “Declaration on Masonic Associations” by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger states, “On the doctrinal level, it should be remembered that active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry.”
The declaration by Cardinal Ratzinger states that Catholics engaged in Masonic associations are deemed to be in a state of grave sin and are ineligible to receive Holy Communion.
Masonic lodges, traditionally male-only societies associated with arcane symbols and rituals, have occasionally been tied to conspiracy theories suggesting undue influence on global affairs.
The United Grand Lodge of England characterizes modern Freemasonry as one of the world’s oldest social and charitable organizations. The organization claims a membership of 180,000 male members, with an additional 5,000 members in two parallel female lodges in England, estimating global Freemasonry membership at approximately six million.
The society emphasizes oaths of secrecy, fellowship, and fraternity among members, featuring a rich tapestry of rituals, ceremonial attire, and secret signals. Despite employing Christian imagery, these aesthetic elements are used in non-Christian rituals.
While Freemasonry in the US and the UK maintains connections with overseas lodges, it is reported to be more socially and professionally oriented. Pope Clement XII declared Freemasonry an excommunicable offense in 1738, denouncing the secret society as “depraved and perverted.”
Establishing its first Grand Lodge in England in 1717, Freemasonry is recognized as the world’s largest secret society, spanning almost every country.
Catholic faithful are expected to abide by the new directive from the Vatican.
