NEW DELHI: The Vatican has announced a prohibition on Catholic community joining the Freemasons, an ancient covert society that the Catholic Church has seen with suspicion. The society reportedly has an estimated worldwide membership of up to six million.
The November 13 document, released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the faith, requests the faithful to not get involved or affiliated with Freemasonry groups. The document is signed by
Pope Francis and the DDF Prefect Cardinal Victor Fernández.
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.
Cardinal Ratzinger later became Pope Benedict XVI.
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.
Establishing its first Grand Lodge in England in 1717, Freemasonry is recognized as the world's largest secret society, spanning almost every country.
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."
The 1983 document, referenced in the recent Vatican communication, underscores that the negative judgment toward Masonic associations remains unchanged.
Freemasonry's principles have consistently been considered irreconcilable with the Church's doctrine, resulting in the continued prohibition of membership.
Popular famous Freemasons from the past include Prince Philip, Winston Churchill, Peter Sellers, Alf Ramsey,
Rudyard Kipling, and Arthur Conan Doyle.
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