The other day I saw a group of Shriners walking down in a
parade and vaguely remembered something about the fact that we as Catholics
aren’t supposed to be members. In my
research I found that the Shriners are an organization of York Rite Masons,
that all Shriners are Master Masons (but not all Masons are Shriners).
The most recent declaration by the Church, issued by the
Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that was promulgated on Nov
26, 1983 states that “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.” (1) A
declaration written by a now famous individual, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope
Benedict XVI).
Moreover, this declaration goes on to say that “[i]t is not within the competence of local
ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic
associations.” (1)
Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity because it
promotes indifferentism. Indifferentism is the heretical belief that all
religions are equally legitimate attempts to explain the truth about God which,
but for the truth of His existence, are unexplainable. Such a view makes all
truths relative and holds that God can be equally pleased with truth and error.
Because Christians believe that God has definitively revealed Himself in the
person of Jesus Christ, and desires that all men come to the knowledge of this
truth, indifferentism is incompatible with Christian faith. Jesus said, "I
am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."
(John 14:6).
Freemasonry's teachings and practices also result in
syncretism which is the blending of different religious beliefs into a unified
whole. This is evidenced most especially by Masonry's religious rituals which
gather men of all faiths around a common altar, and place all religious
writings along side the Bible on the Masonic altar. This is also demonstrated
by the Lodge's prayers and its unique names and symbols for God and heaven.
The Shriners have, and are doing, some fine work for the
disabled and kids in need. I am not
putting down these stellar works of mercy.
I am simply stating that the ends don’t always justify the means. Just because they do great work doesn’t mean
that they teach the truth. The truth is
a rather important thing to possess.
References:
(1) http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/masons1.htm
Major
portions of this text taken from www.scripturecatholic.com by John Salza(1) http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/masons1.htm
Thank you for this. I know a man in our parish (husband of our DRE in fact) who did not give up his Masonic lodge membership and sees no reason why he should. He says there is nothing wrong with what they do and that the Church is "behind the times" (sound familiar?) on this. I tried to tell him that is not true and that membership in the Masons is against Church policy. Thank you for spreading the news. Hopefully, it will save Catholics from grave sin--which membership obviously is.
ReplyDeleteI agree they do wonderful things, but so do other groups that are wrong. I personally like the Mormons pro-family commercials, but they are doctrinely wrong and we are not allowed to be Mormons, either.
One of the toughest decisions I had to make for my daughter was to refuse the Shriner's offer to help her. I don't know how different her life might have been with their assistance, but I just had a real problem of being so beholding to a Masonic organization. I sometimes struggle with the thought of "what if..." I had accepted their help? "What if..." my daughter had learned to walk?
ReplyDeleteCathmom5, glad I could post something that was helpful to you or others.
ReplyDeleteScott, I'm not sure what I would've done if I were in your shoes at that time but I do admire your conviction.