Catholicism/masonry

[St Germain]

Hi. Does anyone know if a Roman Catholic can be a mason? I'm asking because I'm catholic and I've recently been to a masonic open evening and found the whole experience quite interesting. I've looked on wikapedia and the situation seems to be that Masons don't mind Catholics joining but the Catholic church does. This seems to be a bit confusing and I want a definite answer. I take my faith quite seriously and I don't want an argument on the nature of Catholicism just an answer to my problem. Many thanks

[kempie]

Is this the wiki article you refer to?

I see no confusion in the issue... Freemasonry allows Roman Catholics into their ranks but the current (?) position of the Catholic Church is to regard it a grave or mortal sin i.e. a sin that, unless confessed and absolved, condemns a person's soul to Hell after death.

[Octavius]

As kempie has said there is no confusion. Catholics (or anyone who believes in a supreme being) are able to become Freemasons. However, the Catholic Church asserts that any member of the faith who does so will be ex-communicated. It really depends on how seriously you take your faith as to whether you would be content to go against the doctrine of the Vatican to join a Masonic organisation, and what ex-communication would really mean to you.

[St Germain]

Thanks for your answers, both of you. You've confirmed my own research into the matter. I do take my faith very seriously, old-fashioned I know, especially in this day and age and being in a grave state of sin, or worse - excommunication would be absolutely devastating. There are no loopholes, I'll just have to make my excuses and leave, as they say. What I can't understand is that there were a number of masons in that lodge who are Catholics.

[Octavius]

Yes, a number of Grand Lodge Masters of England have been Roman Catholics.

[brionon]

Just get a block of stone and a chisel and you're away.