The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has reiterated that Catholic faithful cannot join Freemasonry due to its incompatibility with Church teachings. This response, issued after a meeting with Pope Francis on November 13, 2023, addresses concerns raised by Bishop Julito Cortes of Dumaguete, Philippines, over the growing number of Catholics joining Masonic ranks.
The Dicastery’s pastoral response, published on its website, calls for a coordinated effort among bishops, emphasizing catechesis to reaffirm the Church’s stance.
The Vatican’s clarification came after Bishop Cortes highlighted the rising enrollment of Catholics in Freemasonry, seeking guidance on addressing the issue pastorally, considering doctrinal implications.
The Vatican emphasized that active participation in Freemasonry is forbidden due to the fundamental conflict between Catholic doctrine and Masonic principles. This position is supported by both the 1983 Declaration on Masonry by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and guidelines published by the Filipino bishops in 2003.
The Dicastery’s directive includes formal and conscious Masonic Lodge members and any clergy involved, who fall under the provisions of the aforementioned Declaration.
The Dicastery advises Filipino bishops to provide accessible catechesis in all parishes, explaining the reasons behind the incompatibility between the Catholic Faith and Freemasonry. They also suggest considering a public statement on the matter.
Historically, over 600 papal documents, both directly and indirectly, condemn Freemasonry. Key documents include Clement XII’s 1738 encyclical “In Eminenti Apostolatus Specula” and Leo XIII’s 1902 “Annum Ingressi,” passing through his “Humanum Genus,” a milestone in the battle against Freemasonry.
Post-1903, no papal encyclicals were formally dedicated to condemning Freemasonry. However, the 1917 Code of Canon Law’s Canon 2335 states that those joining Freemasonry or similar groups conspiring against the Church incur automatic excommunication.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law does not explicitly mention Freemasonry. Still, a 1983 declaration by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then led by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, clarified that the Church’s negative judgment on Masonic associations remains unchanged, as their principles are deemed incompatible with Church doctrine, barring members from Holy Communion.
The Congregation also affirmed that local ecclesiastical authorities are not to pronounce on the nature of Masonic associations in a way that deviates from established Church position.
This reaffirmation by the Vatican underscores the enduring stance of the Church on the matter of Freemasonry and its incompatibility with Catholic doctrine.
Here’s the link to the official note from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231113_richiesta-cortes-massoneria_en.pdf
