Vatican urges unified approach against Freemasonry

Madison Gordon 1 year ago 2 min read

Title: Vatican Calls for National Response to Combat Growing Masonic Membership in Philippines

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, under the leadership of Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and Pope Francis, has issued a note urging a national response to address the alarming rise of Masonic membership in the Philippines. The note stresses the need for a coordinated strategy among individual bishops in the country to effectively combat this trend.

The directive notes that many sympathizers and associates believe that membership in the Catholic Church can coexist with membership in Masonic Lodges. To counter this misconception, the Catholic Church aims to adopt a two-pronged approach. Firstly, they plan to publicly reiterate the Church’s teachings that Freemasonry is incompatible with the Catholic faith. Secondly, a nationwide program of catechesis will be implemented in all Philippine parishes to educate individuals about the dangers and contradictions of Masonic beliefs.

It is worth noting that the Vatican’s response does not allow for any accommodation or leniency towards Catholics who have joined Masonic lodges, regardless of individual circumstances. The Catholic Church’s stance reflects its historical opposition to Freemasonry, which can be traced back to Medieval England and Scotland and has since spread across Europe.

Throughout history, eight popes, ranging from Clement XII to the promulgation of the first universal Code of Canon Law, have issued encyclicals or papal bulls denouncing Freemasonry. These documents impose the penalty of automatic excommunication on any Catholic who joins the organization.

The Church’s strong condemnation of Freemasonry arises from its belief that the organization subverts Church teachings and promotes religious indifference and secularism. Freemasonry’s rituals, including initiation ceremonies involving blindfolding, embracing the principles of Freemasonry, and seeking “the light” that only Masonry can provide, are considered by the Church to have religious connotations.

Moreover, in higher degrees of Masonic initiation, explicit anti-Catholic rituals are carried out. These rituals further solidify the Church’s stance against the organization.

In light of the increasing number of individuals being drawn towards Masonic Lodges in the Philippines, the Vatican’s call for a national response seeks to preserve and strengthen the Catholic faith. By reiterating the Church’s teachings and engaging in widespread catechesis, the Catholic Church hopes to dispel any misconceptions and protect its followers from the influence of Freemasonry.

As the Philippine bishops come together to coordinate their efforts, it is expected that the Catholic Church’s message will resonate with the faithful, leading to a renewed understanding of the incompatibility between the Masonic beliefs and the Catholic faith.