The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has reiterated its longstanding position prohibiting its members from associating with Freemasonry.
In an official statement titled “Catholics and Freemasonry” and signed by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, the Church clarified that its teachings on the matter remain unchanged and emphasised that membership in Masonic associations is irreconcilable with Catholic doctrine.
The statement, which addresses questions about whether the Church had reconsidered its stance on Freemasonry, declared unequivocally, “The answer is simply ‘No.’ The Church has not changed its position on Freemasons. You can’t be a true Catholic and a Freemason at the same time.”
The document traces the Church’s position back to November 26, 1983, when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released the Declaration on Masonic Associations.
This declaration stated that “Masonic principles are irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church, and Catholic membership in Freemasonry remains forbidden.”
“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 enrol in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion,” the document reads in part.
The statement warned that Catholics who join Masonic associations commit a grave sin and are ineligible to receive Holy Communion.
The statement went further to outline specific areas where Freemasonry conflicts with Catholic teachings. It pointed out that Freemasonry often equates Jesus Christ with other religious figures, such as Buddha, Krishna, and Confucius, while addressing prayers to the “Great Architect of the Universe” rather than through Christ. The Church views this as a denial of the unique divinity and centrality of Christ in salvation.
The Archdiocese also condemned Freemasonry for promoting ideas that allegedly undermine Christianity.
“Freemasonry wants the destruction of Christianity, and no one can claim to be a proud Catholic and a Freemason,” the statement added.
Below is the statement.
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