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Author Explains Why Catholics Can't Be Freemasons
By JOHN P. CONNOLLY, The Bulletin
On April 28, 1738, Pope Clement XIII issued a papal bull declaring any Catholic who participated in Freemasonry would be automatically excommunicated.
The Catholic Church reaffirmed his declaration numerous times, the most recent being under Pope John Paul II in 1983.
Yet many Catholics are unaware of the Church’s ban against joining Freemasonry, or think the prohibition was handed down only for political reasons.
John Salza, a Catholic apologist and author, and former 32nd-degree Freemason, said the Church’s objections to Freemasonry are theologically based.
Mr. Salza, who runs the Web site scripturecatholic.com, recently wrote a book titled Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons, to explain the underlying reasons for the Church’s prohibition to Catholics.
His book was published by TAN Books and Publishers late last year and carries an imprimatur, an official license by the Catholic Church to print a religious book, which was issued by Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford, Ill. Mr. Salza said his book is the only one on Freemasonry he knows of with such a credential.
“When I graduated from law school, I was solicited to join Freemasonry by some Catholic men I knew,” said Mr. Salza. “Masonry claims you’re never to solicit, to be one you have to ask one. But I was solicited very aggressively. They presented Freemasonry to me as a way to expand my business networking, as a social thing.”
Mr. Salza said he wrote his book because many Catholics are confused about Freemasonry. Many priests, in addition to laity, are unaware their parishioners who are members of Masonic organizations cannot receive communion.
“I wasn’t clear on [the Church’s teachings on Freemasonry], and I called my parish priest,” said Mr. Salza. “He said he hadn’t studied the matter and didn’t understand the Church’s teaching on it.”
Mr. Salza became very involved in Freemasonry, rising through the ranks of its Scottish Rite, where he achieved its highest rank, the 32nd degree.
He joined the Shriners, an organization composed of Freemasons and was awarded the “Proficiency Card” by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. The card is a rare credential that designated Mr. Salza as an expert in Masonic ritual and authorized him to teach the rituals to Masons and Masonic lodges. Mr. Salza says he received this credential faster than anyone in Wisconsin’s history.
Through his familiarity with Masonic ritual, Mr. Salza said he became uncomfortable with what Freemasonry taught about God.
“Everything is superficial until you get in the lodge and learn what the ritual is teaching,” said Mr. Salza. “Freemasonry teaches that man can be saved without belief in Jesus Christ. When I realized that, I became a walking contradiction. I had to solve that contradiction by leaving.”
Mr. Salza’s current efforts as a Christian apologist working with Scripture grew directly out of his exploration of what the Catholic Church teaches on Freemasonry.
“When I began studying the Catholic positions on Freemasonry, I studied not only the Catholic, but the Protestant arguments against it also,” he said. “As I studied the Protestant positions against Freemasonry, I began uncovering the Protestant arguments against the Catholic faith. In my search for the truth about Freemasonry, I broadened my search for truth in general. I began accumulating Scripture quotes and quotes from the early fathers in support of the Catholic faith.”
Mr. Salza said there are a number of reasons why men are attracted to Freemasonry. Some join to satisfy curiosity about what Freemasonry is really about, and others join seeking to become leaders in the Lodge. For others, the draw is social, with the opportunity to develop business and social networks.
“Masons swear an oath of secrecy, that’s why there’s ignorance of their teachings,” said Mr. Salza. “Masonry is very successful in keeping its teachings secret. I felt a calling from God to share the knowledge that I have accumulated. Before me, there was never a Catholic who joined Freemasonry and left the lodge to start writing about it.”
Mr. Salza said it helps to explain to some Catholic Masons what the Church teaches, but admitted that not all of them will listen to that alone.
“Some men do know what the Church teaches, but rationalize it,” said Mr. Salza. “I haven’t tried to beat them up with theological arguments, but to appeal to their intellects. Freemasonry places all religions on the same level. If I can get him to admit that that’s an erroneous teaching, I can get somewhere with him.... Christianity says that Jesus was divine, and Islam says that He was not. Masonry holds both those positions. Anybody with some modicum of intelligence will recognize that that’s a contradiction.”
Mr. Salza also said that it’s not cliché to say that prayer and lots of prayer is needed in that situation as well.
“We have to work on the rational level,” he said, “but also the supernatural level, begging God to help men break their bonds to Freemasonry.”
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
The Catholic Church reaffirmed his declaration numerous times, the most recent being under Pope John Paul II in 1983.
Yet many Catholics are unaware of the Church’s ban against joining Freemasonry, or think the prohibition was handed down only for political reasons.
John Salza, a Catholic apologist and author, and former 32nd-degree Freemason, said the Church’s objections to Freemasonry are theologically based.
Mr. Salza, who runs the Web site scripturecatholic.com, recently wrote a book titled Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons, to explain the underlying reasons for the Church’s prohibition to Catholics.
His book was published by TAN Books and Publishers late last year and carries an imprimatur, an official license by the Catholic Church to print a religious book, which was issued by Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford, Ill. Mr. Salza said his book is the only one on Freemasonry he knows of with such a credential.
“When I graduated from law school, I was solicited to join Freemasonry by some Catholic men I knew,” said Mr. Salza. “Masonry claims you’re never to solicit, to be one you have to ask one. But I was solicited very aggressively. They presented Freemasonry to me as a way to expand my business networking, as a social thing.”
Mr. Salza said he wrote his book because many Catholics are confused about Freemasonry. Many priests, in addition to laity, are unaware their parishioners who are members of Masonic organizations cannot receive communion.
“I wasn’t clear on [the Church’s teachings on Freemasonry], and I called my parish priest,” said Mr. Salza. “He said he hadn’t studied the matter and didn’t understand the Church’s teaching on it.”
Mr. Salza became very involved in Freemasonry, rising through the ranks of its Scottish Rite, where he achieved its highest rank, the 32nd degree.
He joined the Shriners, an organization composed of Freemasons and was awarded the “Proficiency Card” by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. The card is a rare credential that designated Mr. Salza as an expert in Masonic ritual and authorized him to teach the rituals to Masons and Masonic lodges. Mr. Salza says he received this credential faster than anyone in Wisconsin’s history.
Through his familiarity with Masonic ritual, Mr. Salza said he became uncomfortable with what Freemasonry taught about God.
“Everything is superficial until you get in the lodge and learn what the ritual is teaching,” said Mr. Salza. “Freemasonry teaches that man can be saved without belief in Jesus Christ. When I realized that, I became a walking contradiction. I had to solve that contradiction by leaving.”
Mr. Salza’s current efforts as a Christian apologist working with Scripture grew directly out of his exploration of what the Catholic Church teaches on Freemasonry.
“When I began studying the Catholic positions on Freemasonry, I studied not only the Catholic, but the Protestant arguments against it also,” he said. “As I studied the Protestant positions against Freemasonry, I began uncovering the Protestant arguments against the Catholic faith. In my search for the truth about Freemasonry, I broadened my search for truth in general. I began accumulating Scripture quotes and quotes from the early fathers in support of the Catholic faith.”
Mr. Salza said there are a number of reasons why men are attracted to Freemasonry. Some join to satisfy curiosity about what Freemasonry is really about, and others join seeking to become leaders in the Lodge. For others, the draw is social, with the opportunity to develop business and social networks.
“Masons swear an oath of secrecy, that’s why there’s ignorance of their teachings,” said Mr. Salza. “Masonry is very successful in keeping its teachings secret. I felt a calling from God to share the knowledge that I have accumulated. Before me, there was never a Catholic who joined Freemasonry and left the lodge to start writing about it.”
Mr. Salza said it helps to explain to some Catholic Masons what the Church teaches, but admitted that not all of them will listen to that alone.
“Some men do know what the Church teaches, but rationalize it,” said Mr. Salza. “I haven’t tried to beat them up with theological arguments, but to appeal to their intellects. Freemasonry places all religions on the same level. If I can get him to admit that that’s an erroneous teaching, I can get somewhere with him.... Christianity says that Jesus was divine, and Islam says that He was not. Masonry holds both those positions. Anybody with some modicum of intelligence will recognize that that’s a contradiction.”
Mr. Salza also said that it’s not cliché to say that prayer and lots of prayer is needed in that situation as well.
“We have to work on the rational level,” he said, “but also the supernatural level, begging God to help men break their bonds to Freemasonry.”
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thebulletin.us.
GregoryK wrote on May 16, 2009 12:02 PM:
" I would like to take Mr. Canby's statements one step further. Everything the puts forth is correct, but if a man progresses further in Masonry, such as entering the Scottish Rite or York Rite, he will soon find out that he IS required to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and his savior, especially in the York Rite where only a Christian man may become a member. The York Rite, or Knights Templar use the faith in Jesus very prominintly in their initiations into the Templars or Commandery. Several degrees in the Scottish Rite feature Jesus as a central figure. As the Commander of my local Commandery I have the responsibility of organizing and overseeing several religious based functions, such as the one celebrating the Ascension of Jesus after his cruxifiction. I would hope writers about Masonry would just take time to do proper research on the subject. "
KevinOBrien8527 wrote on Jun 5, 2009 1:35 PM:
" I happpen to sit in Blue Lodge with Brothers of all faiths including Catholics. The lodge has specific prohibitions against discussions and presentations of a religious and political nature, solely because those are two issues that separate men from harmony. The third being money but I cannot think a too many wars that were solely over money.
I entered the Lodge out of curiosity and a family tradition going way back into the early 1800s. I am a Christian man and graduated from a Christian University with a minor degree in Biblical Studies and Research. As I progressed through my degrees I was careful to examine every step for conflict with my Christian walk, and guess what? Not a thing. My Lodge and its members encouraged me to be faithful to God and to seek salvation and to support the church of my choice because Freemasonry is not a religion.
The Lodge is made up of men of all faiths. My brethren are Catholic, Christian, Baptist, Muslim, Hindu, Presbyterian, Buddist, Lutheran and a Methodist or two. All faiths come together under a single God who spoke to the people through his prophets and his son Jesus. Whether one calls his god -God, Allah, Buddah, Krishna, etc. we all have a cenral figure in our faith who is the Great Creator of all we are and see today and have been since the dawn of time. Rather than risking the separating argument of what name should represent all men of the Lodge, every Mason looks to his own God referred to as The Great Architect of The Universe (GAOTU). Speaking solely in an architectural reference, God is held in the highest esteem one can desire to offer.
Here's a way to simplify the concept of GAOTU which too many kooks want the uninformed to believe is actually a replacement for God. If a man goes into a court of law he is sworn in under an oath to which he is asked If he solemnly swears or affirms to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth "So help you God?" That is a generalized reference toGod in all religions. One kows to himself that he is swearing his truth and fidelity to God, Allah, Krishna, Buddah, whichever name is laid upon his heart. Each man is permitted to look deep into his heart and soul knowing that he has sworn his integrity to his God. It is nothing more or less and nothing in the Lodge is ever inteneded to replace or displace God in any level of our lives. So knock it off you knuckleheads! Oh yes, a petitioner for membership could conceivably ask to join the Lodge with his "higher power" as a Pagan priestess or even Satan himself, but I can assure you upon the life of my own children that no one would ever make it past the voting process and they would be "black balled" without question. By the way, did you know that is where the reference came from?
When I entered the York Rite and was finally Knighted itno the Commandery of the Knights Templar, I swore an oath that I would protect and defend with my own life the rights of worshippers and pilgrims to serve their God without interference from anyone who would disrupt their privilege. Yes, the Crusader Knights Templar clashed with the Muslims who victimized pilgrims on their way to the temple at Jerusalem, but those days are not what they are today. None of my fellow Masons or Knights are going to go out and interfere with Muslims seeking their own truth and salvations through Allah or in their own Mosques. All Masons in all bodies believe from their hearts in the right to worship as one pleases, which coincidentally why those Freemason guys wrote it into the Constitution.
To close, I have spoken with Priests, Ministers, Lay Ministers and the leaders of many faiths including Catholics and not one of them said they would deny the benefits of the church or communion to a man just because he was a Freemason. Even Pope Benedict XVI knows that the Catholic Church does not have a monopoly on God and access to Heaven and everyone can up and walk out of the local parish and into the other church next door where they can worship God in their hearts the way God intends it. With every person who leaves the church so leaves the financial support that person gives. so no church in its right mind will jeopardize that. A local Catholic Bishop even told me that Freemasonry in the Catholic Church is like the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy and no one really cares. He agreed that the conspiracy theories do make for good movies and books though!
If anyone has any questions that you really want to get a straight answer for feel free to contact me at kevinobrien8527@Cox.net. Take care friend. "
I entered the Lodge out of curiosity and a family tradition going way back into the early 1800s. I am a Christian man and graduated from a Christian University with a minor degree in Biblical Studies and Research. As I progressed through my degrees I was careful to examine every step for conflict with my Christian walk, and guess what? Not a thing. My Lodge and its members encouraged me to be faithful to God and to seek salvation and to support the church of my choice because Freemasonry is not a religion.
The Lodge is made up of men of all faiths. My brethren are Catholic, Christian, Baptist, Muslim, Hindu, Presbyterian, Buddist, Lutheran and a Methodist or two. All faiths come together under a single God who spoke to the people through his prophets and his son Jesus. Whether one calls his god -God, Allah, Buddah, Krishna, etc. we all have a cenral figure in our faith who is the Great Creator of all we are and see today and have been since the dawn of time. Rather than risking the separating argument of what name should represent all men of the Lodge, every Mason looks to his own God referred to as The Great Architect of The Universe (GAOTU). Speaking solely in an architectural reference, God is held in the highest esteem one can desire to offer.
Here's a way to simplify the concept of GAOTU which too many kooks want the uninformed to believe is actually a replacement for God. If a man goes into a court of law he is sworn in under an oath to which he is asked If he solemnly swears or affirms to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth "So help you God?" That is a generalized reference toGod in all religions. One kows to himself that he is swearing his truth and fidelity to God, Allah, Krishna, Buddah, whichever name is laid upon his heart. Each man is permitted to look deep into his heart and soul knowing that he has sworn his integrity to his God. It is nothing more or less and nothing in the Lodge is ever inteneded to replace or displace God in any level of our lives. So knock it off you knuckleheads! Oh yes, a petitioner for membership could conceivably ask to join the Lodge with his "higher power" as a Pagan priestess or even Satan himself, but I can assure you upon the life of my own children that no one would ever make it past the voting process and they would be "black balled" without question. By the way, did you know that is where the reference came from?
When I entered the York Rite and was finally Knighted itno the Commandery of the Knights Templar, I swore an oath that I would protect and defend with my own life the rights of worshippers and pilgrims to serve their God without interference from anyone who would disrupt their privilege. Yes, the Crusader Knights Templar clashed with the Muslims who victimized pilgrims on their way to the temple at Jerusalem, but those days are not what they are today. None of my fellow Masons or Knights are going to go out and interfere with Muslims seeking their own truth and salvations through Allah or in their own Mosques. All Masons in all bodies believe from their hearts in the right to worship as one pleases, which coincidentally why those Freemason guys wrote it into the Constitution.
To close, I have spoken with Priests, Ministers, Lay Ministers and the leaders of many faiths including Catholics and not one of them said they would deny the benefits of the church or communion to a man just because he was a Freemason. Even Pope Benedict XVI knows that the Catholic Church does not have a monopoly on God and access to Heaven and everyone can up and walk out of the local parish and into the other church next door where they can worship God in their hearts the way God intends it. With every person who leaves the church so leaves the financial support that person gives. so no church in its right mind will jeopardize that. A local Catholic Bishop even told me that Freemasonry in the Catholic Church is like the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy and no one really cares. He agreed that the conspiracy theories do make for good movies and books though!
If anyone has any questions that you really want to get a straight answer for feel free to contact me at kevinobrien8527@Cox.net. Take care friend. "
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JamesCanby wrote on May 14, 2009 7:29 AM:
Freemasonry is a fraternity that enables its members to enhance their dedication and commitment to their God. Since members may adhere to different beliefs, Freemason Lodges accommodate those individual beliefs by not imposing any requirements for belief in any specific religion. Many Lodges have members of different faiths, and all of their members meet as equals.
This is similar to membership in the Rotary, the Kiwanis, the American Legion, etc., where members meet for a variety of non-religious purposes. Freemasons meet to explore and improve their dedication to the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief (Charity) and Truth. It is not a religion in any sense of the word and does not compete with any member's religious beliefs.
Freemasonry welcomes members of every faith and religion. It is unfortunate that the Roman Catholic Church discriminates against membership in Freemasonry, but to suggest that there is not a political basis stemming from events in the 1300s, when the first prohibition against membership was decreed by the French Pope, is to deny history.
Freemasonry accepts members from every religion and walk of life. If a person feels that their religious beliefs conflict with our tenets, then membership in our fraternity is not for them ... but to say that a Catholic may not be a Freemason because Freemasonry does not require a belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God begs the question of being able to join ANY organization that does not impose such a belief.
Disclaimer: The forgoing is the personal opinion of a Maryland Freemason and is not an official statement of the Grand Lodge of Maryland or my local Lodge. "