The Spirit & Freemasonry

There will always be controversy about religion. The subject is complicated and individual elements are subject to many interpretations. I believe in the possibility that mankind has a spiritual component, and that all religious thought flows from this simple beginning. It is from this singular belief that I hope to focus on the relationship of religion to Freemasonry.

Why this interest? Because I have a good Catholic friend who has been told that Freemasonry is an anti-Catholic organization. I'd like him to understand that the modern Freemasonry I know is not anti-Catholic at all. Nor is it anti-Protestant, anti-Muslim, or "anti" any other well known monotheistic religion.

My friend understands that the Holy Roman Church considers Freemasonry not compatible with the teachings of the Church and that is completely correct. The leadership of the Catholic Church has held that same opinion for several hundred years. Pope John II reaffirmed that the ban on Catholics joining Masonic organizations was still in force. Let us be very clear about this. Freemasons understand there is a major difference of opinion here, yet in the most general way Masons do not look upon this as suggesting that Catholicism is anti-Freemasonry. We simply live in the world as good and friendly neighbors. For further clarity the following facts are instructive:(2) Freemasonry welcomes all good men to membership regardless of race, age, religion, language, skin color or political activities.(3) Freemasonry rejects the concept that any one religion, theology or church is the ONLY way to God or the ONLY true church. It is this difference of opinion that disagrees with the Holy Roman Church, and is why Catholics are instructed not to join Masonic organizations. This difference is not a factor in the ability of the two groups to get along. They can (and do) dwell side by side with no other contention between them. Remember, there is no competition here. . Masons and Catholics are two friendly groups trying to be of benefit to humankind.

Turning it around, Masons have no quarrel with Catholicism either. There is a small mountain of evidence, thousands and thousands of books, and even more well known examples that the relationship between the Catholic Church and Freemasons is one of mutual respect.

(1) Freemasonry is not a religion. It is a fraternal organization that requires it's members to believe in God.

Sadly, there are a few people (including my friend) who have been told false rumors that Freemasonry is anti-Catholic. Rumors to that effect have circulated for hundreds of years. Time has brought enlightenment on both sides. Let's look into this just a bit further. Fraternal organizations became a significant and noticeable part of society in the 18th century. The precise founding date of the Masonic fraternity isn't known. The usual explanation is that stonemasons in the middle ages became skilled and banded together in groups not unlike modern day labor unions. They may have originally been called "freestone masons" which, in the language of the day, indicated that they developed unworked or "free" stones by using the skills of the masonry craft.

To teach and learn these skills they used grade levels that became known as the: (1) APPRENTICE (beginning level) (2) FELLOWCRAFT (journeyman) and the most skilled became (3) MASTER (senior and most skilled) Years went by and over time these levels became known as the three "DEGREES" of freestone masonry. They exist today as the three degrees of Freemasonry. The craftsmen wandered Europe looking for work, and built major structures including the finest and most advanced buildings of their time. The most famous of these are the Gothic Cathedrals built for the Catholic Church. Now, hundreds of years later these magnificent structures are impressive examples of the builder's craftsmanship.

Stonemasons traveled from one work site to another (one cathedral to another) and over the years formed a fellowship of men known to one another. Their guilds or unions often gathered in public houses that also provided lodging for the craftsmen. By the year 1720 they had established a more or less standardized system of teaching, keeping records, and taking minutes of their meetings. The written history of modern Freemasonry began. Men of other vocations observed the fraternal good will and friendships developing in Masonic Lodges and they too applied for membership. Lodges began admitting these men. At first they were mostly friends and acquaintances of the Lodge members. As more and more of the members had nothing to do with the stone mason's craft, the Lodges became known as "speculative" rather then "operative" organizations. Lodge rules were written, adopted and followed. All of the members, speculative or operative, called themselves "Free and Accepted Masons". We must acknowledge here that there have been times of anti-Catholic and anti-Masonic movements in serveral countries around the world. The reasons appear to have been rather petty. The point is that there have been isolated anti-Masonic movements within the Catholic Church, and anti-Catholic movements within Freemasonry. These episodes condradict the good intentions of both organizations and were obviously counter to the good will between them. Because fraternal organizations were popular and successful, Catholic men began their own Knights of Columbus fraternity. Like their friends the Masons, the Knights teach and practice high moral and ethical standards. They provide examples of upright conduct for men to follow, and they enjoy the fellowship of like minded men. Lastly, I have been an American Freemason for nearly 50 years. Never, with the exception of the long standing Papal ban, have I observed any disagreement between the Roman Catholic Church and Freemasonry, with one disgraceful exception from many years ago. A rogue group of men calling themselves Freemasons but acknowledged by no Masonic Grand Lodge, at some time after World War II organized the "P-2" Lodge in Italy. The men were thieves and worse, and did more to smear the name of Freemasonry than any other modern group. P-2 Lodge members were rejected by regular Masons everywhere. Several of their members apparently defrauded the Vatican and caused a major bank scandal in Italy. The news media connected these scoundrels with the names "Masonic" and/or "Freemason" despite the fact that the P-2 Lodge was not connected in anyway with the gentle craft of Freemasonry. And one more comment. I have been present when the Knights of Columbus have graciously visited the Grand Lodge of California. Their leaders have spoken to thousands of Masons there and at other locations. The Knights regularly participate side by side with Masons in community parades and charitable works. I have also been present at the laying of public school cornerstones by Masonic Lodges where one of the principal speakers was a Roman Catholic Priest. In my own community of Fountain Valley, Catholic Father Sammon, was for years the Chaplain of our City's Fire Department and many times praised and spoke eloquently of the good works of Masonic craft. Despite all of the above, there will probably always be a few ignorant people repeating unkind things about both the Catholic Church and Freemasons. You and I do know better.