Vatican Confirms Ban on Catholic Membership in Freemasonry

November 16, 2023 by Chris Krogh

Pope Francis gestures as he leaves after the weekly general audience, in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
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VATICAN CITY, Nov 15 (Reuters) – The Vatican confirms the ban on Catholics joining Freemasons, a centuries-old clandestine organization long viewed with hostility by the Catholic Church, with a global membership estimated at six million.

The Vatican’s doctrinal office stated that “Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is prohibited, because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry,” in a letter published by Vatican media on Wednesday.

The Vatican’s doctrinal office, in response to a concerned bishop from the Philippines regarding the rising number of Freemasons in his country, issued an opinion dated Nov. 13 and countersigned by Pope Francis.

Last week, the same office stated that transgender individuals can embark on Catholic rituals such as baptism and serving as godparents, as well as witness Catholic weddings.

The letter on Freemasons referenced a 1983 declaration signed by the late Pope Benedict XVI, asserting the grave sin of Catholics associating with Masonic groups, resulting in exclusion from Holy Communion.

Masonic lodges, historically male-only societies, are known for their obscure symbols and rituals and have been linked to conspiracy theories involving undue influence over global affairs.

According to the United Grand Lodge of England, modern Freemasonry is rooted in the medieval stonemason traditions and is among the oldest social and charitable organizations in the world.

The group reports its membership at 180,000 men, with an additional 5,000 female members in England, estimating a total global membership of six million.

Notable figures such as the late Prince Philip, Winston Churchill, Peter Sellers, Alf Ramsey, Rudyard Kipling, and Arthur Conan Doyle, among others, have been associated with Freemasonry.

Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Nick Macfie

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