Photo credit: AFP Flippo Monteforte
In a recent announcement, the Vatican has reaffirmed its longstanding prohibition on Catholics becoming Freemasons, a clandestine society with an estimated global membership of six million. The Vatican’s doctrinal office, the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, published a letter on Wednesday, signed by Pope Francis, emphasizing the “irreconcilability” between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry.
The directive responds to concerns raised by a bishop in the Philippines regarding the increasing number of Freemasons in the country. The Vatican, citing a 1983 declaration signed by the late Pope Benedict XVI, states that Catholics involved in Masonic associations are in a “state of grave sin” and are not permitted to receive Holy Communion.
The letter comes on the heels of another announcement from the same Vatican office, affirming that transgender individuals can partake in Catholic sacraments such as baptism and serve as godparents. Freemasonry, often associated with male-only lodges, arcane symbols, and rituals, has faced historical hostility from the Catholic Church, with links to conspiracy theories alleging influence on global affairs. The United Grand Lodge of England, a prominent Masonic organization, asserts that Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest social and charitable groups, boasting famous historical members such as Prince Philip, Winston Churchill, and Rudyard Kipling.
