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The Catholic Church argues that the philosophy of French Freemasonry (the Grand Orient, not the dominant variety of Freemasonry or the branch that is active in the English-speaking world) is antithetical to Christian doctrine and that it is at many times and places anti-clerical in intent. [4]
This has been generally affirmed throughout the whole Eastern Orthodox Church. The Orthodox critique of Freemasonry agrees with both the Catholic and Protestant versions: "Freemasonry cannot be at all compatible with Christianity as far as it is a secret organisation, acting and teaching in mystery and secret and deifying rationalism." [191]
Among the DBK's conclusions were that Freemasonry denies revelation, [65] and objective truth. [66] They also alleged that religious indifference is fundamental to Freemasonry, [67] and that Freemasonry is Deist, [68] and that it denies the possibility of divine revelation, [69] so threatening the respect due to the Church's teaching office. [70]
The Vatican has confirmed a ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons, a centuries-old secretive society that the Catholic Church has long viewed with hostility and has an estimated global membership ...
Gruber, Hermann (1910). "Masonry (Freemasonry)". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company. pp. 771– 788.; McInvale, Reid (c. 1992) [presented 1992-06-13]. "Roman Catholic Church law regarding Freemasonry". Transactions. 27. Waco, TX: Texas Lodge of Research A.F. & A.M. OCLC 10269407 – via a personal website.; This page was last edited ...
The confusion arose from a leaked 1974 private clarification written to some episcopal conferences, which was interpreted by some within the Church and within Freemasonry as permitting Catholics to join Masonic lodges so long as the lodge did not directly plot against the church.
The Letter to U.S. Bishops reiterated the Church's ban on all types of Freemasonry, [5] attaching reports analyzing the religious compatibility of Masonic and Catholic theologies. It is notable that it concentrated on the "naturalistic" beliefs of Freemasons rather than their alleged anti-clerical activities.
In Regular Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), a Master Mason receives a Grand Lodge certificate, which may be required for visiting other lodges. A Master Mason is considered a full, lifetime member of the lodge where he received his degrees, with the right to demit (resign) if he is in good standing and has paid his dues.