Good question
I’m both Catholic and a Mason. And I know a lot of other good practicing Catholics who are Masons. And personally, I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
Now I can’t say what the church would do if you became a Mason and then went to the Vatican and tried to give the Pope one of our secret handshakes, but I can promise you that there is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, in Freemasonry or in it’s ritual that even a priest would feel uncomfortable being around.
I do know that the church has gone back and forth on the Fraternity over the years—and they have a long history. But as recently as Vatican II it was OK to become a Mason. But now I do hear the new Pope—who wrote something against Masonry when he was a Cardinal—wants to go back to a stronger stance against it.
One reason might be that Freemasonry has evolved differently in many countries. In Italy, for example, it evolved to become much more political and a force in it’s own right. The church may have reacted to that.
Freemasons in America and England are not political—and in fact are not allowed to talk “politics” in meetings.
But I think the main reason the church might be against it is they don’t really know what it is. Fear of the unknown, I guess. If they did know, there wouldn’t be a problem. It’s the world’s biggest philanthropy, and looks to make men better. What could be wrong with that? Even the secrets have been public knowledge for hundreds of years.
Again, none of it makes any sense to me. The only Masonic requirement from a “religious” standpoint is that a person has to believe in a supreme being. We have members of virtually every faith in a lot of our lodges. And Masons certainly welcome anyone who is Catholic.
I do have one interesting historical fact that may play into this: Back in the early 19th century, when Freemasonry became extremely popular, the church evidently got a little jealous and started the Knights of Columbus so they could compete for young men’s time. The Knights, which is a great organization, employ many of the same principles and are run very much the way Lodges are. All the way to the “Grand Knight.” So go figure.
Obviously, you need to do what you feel is right, but no Mason will ever ask you to do anything against your beliefs.
I would say come to an open house and check it out.
Especially if you’re a priest.:-)
