Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended his membership in Freemasonry, refuting claims that the organization is anti-Christian.
His remarks come in response to concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference after he publicly stated during a parliamentary vetting that he is both a Catholic and a Freemason.
In a letter signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Church reaffirmed its stance on the incompatibility of Catholicism and Freemasonry.
“The Church has always maintained that Freemasonry is incompatible with the teachings of Christ and the Church.”
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue, though he had yet to receive any official communication from the Church.
“Freemasonry is not anti-Christ. If nothing at all, at the highest level of Masonry, you must profess Christ. People don’t know and people say things. But I’m ready for that debate. I have not been written to. If I receive a delegation from my church leaders for a conversation, we will have a good conversation.”
The Effutu MP further stated that should the Church take a definitive stance against his involvement, he would then decide whether to remain a Catholic or join the Anglican Church.
“My church first. The church doesn’t force people; the church shows compassion, listens, and shows love. My Archbishop, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, has not written any letter to me. I have been seeing letters flying, but nobody has written a letter to me personally.”
Afenyo-Markin also noted that many Catholics hesitate to openly declare their affiliation with Freemasonry, but he was not afraid to do so.
“I’m a committed Catholic. I’m ready to discuss the fraternities that I join. If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have brought it up. There are many Catholics who are Freemasons and are afraid to talk about it.”
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