Most Rev John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Ghana, has explained that ‘Masonic’ principles are irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church.
Kwofie declared that catholic membership in Freemasonry remains forbidden.
According to him, “faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.”
This was contained in a statement he issued on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Accra.
The archbishop stated that some tenets of Freemasonry contradict the teachings of the catholic church.
He claimed that “Masons have denigrated Jesus Christ, our Lord, and God, and have put him at the same level as Buddha, Krishna, Confucius, among others.
My dearly beloved, in recent times, there has been a surge on whether the Catholic Church has changed her position regarding her teaching concerning Freemasons. The answer is simply “No”. The Church has not changed her position on Freemasons. You can’t be a true Catholic and a Freemason at the same time.
Many of our Catholics, especially the Young Adults, need to know this and follow the Church for direction, especially at a time when some people are presenting Freemasonry as an association worth being affiliated to.
As a Church, the words of Proverbs 22:6, are of great importance in moulding our younger generation, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
On November 26, 1983, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the document called ‘Declaration on Masonic Associations’, declared that ‘Masonic principles are irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church, and that Catholic membership in Freemasonry remains forbidden’.
Catholics who are Freemasons are, therefore, in grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. I quote from the Declaration, ‘Therefore the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.’
Some tenets of Freemasonry contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church. Let me present some examples at this point. The Masons have denigrated Jesus Christ, our Lord, and God, and have put him at the same level as Buddha, Krishna, Confucius, etc. Prayers through Christ are omitted and addressed to the Great Architect of the Universe. Yes, freemasonry wants the destruction of Christianity, and no one can claim to be a proud Catholic and a Freemason.
More so, as we celebrate today, the Sunday of the Word of God, it is important for us to note that the Freemasons put the Bible and other religious writings at the same level. This is absolutely preposterous. In Matthew 6:24, the Lord mentions emphatically, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Mt 6:24).
Therefore, Catholics are banned from all forms of freemasonry.
Let us kindly take note of this, and may the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten us to follow His path. Thank you very much.
