I ran a Google Lens image search on the graphic on my phone (right click menu), and it came up with similar images that have 3 different headers (Ezekiel XI, Psalm CXXXIII, Amos VII) and I gathered that it is something to do with specific masonic rituals reading specific KJV verses... since I felt a general sense of revulsion ("Disgust", in the movie Inside Out, who protects the child from poison (notionally) and broccoli (actually)), I did not run it to ground.
Insightful coverage and I am glad to hear the DDF putting its food down on something evil and erroneous like Masonry. Yet, ironically, if religious indifferentism and bad philosophy are the real reasons for squashing Masonry then why not also condemn and excommunicate those who support secularism, woke ideologies, Liberalism, LGBT stuff, progressivism, etc. (i.e. the Democratic Party’s platform). Religious indifferentism and secularism appears at face value to be the reason for any Catholic to support the DNC’s vision of human life and governance. If we are honest Masonry’s secular venom has left American Catholicism half-dead. Now, there may be hope for the Philippines.
Yeah, I felt the same way when I heard this - like of all things, they're going to come down hard on Masonry? I mean I'll take the wins that we can get but it's puzzling when you can join Catholics for Choice, or one of the dozens of pro-homosexuality/transgender groups, or be a politician supporting the expansion of abortion, and still be allowed to receive communion, but joining a Masonic lodge is a hard no.
Again, not saying this was wrong by the DDF, but it just reinforces the perception that they are catering to the popular movements (homosexuality/transgender groups mostly) with all of their wishy-washy answers to various dubia that comes in on those subjects, but when something else opposed to Catholicism that most people don't really care about is inquired on, they shut it down instantly. A little consistency would be nice, is all I'm saying.
It’s not just the philosophy.. it’s also the organisation, political manoeuvring and networking that lodges provide. For example in Mexico, membership to a free mason lodge was basically all but a legal requirement for promotion in the army and civil service. Same in Australia at certain points. My great grandfather caused immense scandal when he converted to Catholicism and resigned his 2IC role in his Lodge so he could marry my great grandmother. It caused a lot of economic hardship for them trying to rebuild a construction business having alienated the wealthy, lodge connected Anglican community.
Moral of the story, free masonary is a deeply anticlerical, terrible and politically manipulative organsiation. Unfortunately conspiracy theorists are too busy worrying about they’re pyramid mystical power to read minds to see the ACTUAL impact they have.
I felt the same way reading the article. I am delighted by the DDF's decision but also couldn't help feeling that even a broken clock is right twice each day.
Not consciously anti-Catholic. Most of them wouldn’t be able to identify a Catholic belief even it it fish slapped them Monty python style. Masons are deliberately anti Catholic. Woke is is only accidentally anti Catholic.
It's astonishing how little even the basic tenets of Christianity are understood anymore in mainstream culture. Cultural repaganization is swift and relentless.
This is a good question and should disturb American Catholics greatly. Our republic is built on Masonic values. It’s true that the Democratic Party asks us to put secular values above our Catholicism. But doesn’t the Republican Party ask us to put capitalism, gun rights, and anti-immigration above our faith, too? I mean, all the immigrants they love to hate on right now are Catholics! That’s why I vote American Solidarity.
Not really. You are free to quibble with the GOPs position on specific prudential issues. And as a Catholic you certainly do not have to side with the GOP on many issues.
However there is nothing inherently anti Catholic about immigration regulation, gun ownership or capitalism. In my opinion the gap in between typical GOP positions and Catholic teaching is not nearly as egregious as it is on the Democratic side.
I know there’s nothing I can say to convince you—it’s the majority position right now, and no amount of papal encyclicals on social thought will suffice—but seriously, isn’t it strange that the immigrants they complain about are always the Catholic ones?
Are they though? They may still be the pluarality, maybe even the slight majority. But just like everywhere else, Catholicism is in decline in Mexico, Central America etc. And how many of those that come are indeed practicing Catholics? I'm really not sure. Just pointing out that I don't think the so called "complaining" is about their Catholicism or perceived Catholicism.
I could even concede that the ASP is most closely aligned with Catholic Social Teaching. The problem is that the never have a fair chance of winning, and from a Catholic perspective I'd much rather have the GOP in office than the Democrats.
Also, I vote American Solidarity for this very reason, not Democrat. But Catholic Republicans should at least push back on social justice issues and be a force for change in their party.
In what way though? What "social justice" issues do you see the GOP as being entirely contrary to Catholic teaching? The death penalty is a sticky one sure, but immigration laws, gun rights, economics are entirely prudential areas. Nothing in the current GOP standard platform I would consider anathema to Catholic teaching in those areas.
What a time to be alive. I am both super excited that we are taking the war to the masons but also a bit in line with Filius up top in the “you are going after this?” Crowd. But I also get it. Masonry is apparently a huge problem in the Church in the Philippines. Good thing we have a Jesuit in charge to counter their secret society with (allegedly) one of our own.
...and yet, oddly enough, no one seems to be angrily demanding that women be given positions of governance in the Lodges or liturgical appointments in Masonic rituals.
I guess my big problem with the Masons is that they lack a certain...I don't know. Synodality, I suppose.
I know using the words "democrat" and "republican" are like throwing fire crackers into a darkened room. It always gets a reaction causing honest discussion and fierce opinions. What is most important is knowing that when one votes it is not a mere person, nor a mere party that comes in to power. But it is a philosophy of human life that is elected. There are consequence to elections that are much deeper than mere social teaching. And a political Party's ethos ought to be of consideration, whether cogent with Catholic life or not. At face value the RNC seeks to Conserve something of the Western Tradition of governance, and the DNC seeks to disrupt the West and its values.
Is Father Julito Cortez a friend of Poor Francis or some of the Vatican higher ups? Maybe the letter was a set up so Pope Francis could come down on Freemasonry with our looking like he brought the subject up. . .and help to put down rumors that he is a Freemasonry himself. Conspiracy theories anyone?
Ed, I don't know if you'll see this but I'd love an interview or an explainer on how the free masons went from simple stone mason guild to bizarre philosophical, spiritual, and (by the collective experience of exorcists I've read from) deeply demonic place it is at now? I've read both your articles, and they explain the innocuous origins of the group and then the sinister present of it's rituals but do we know how that transition happened?
To further explain my interest, it's odd to me how something so seemingly innocent as the stone mason guild (from their origins) has become so dramatically and emphatically opposed to Catholicism in the wide reaching and professionally deeply rooted secular community it is today. Where did all that stuff come from, if it wasn't there at it's inauguration? And don't just say France.
I'm curious, why is the Masonic compass over Ecclesiastes 12 specifically in the article graphic?
I ran a Google Lens image search on the graphic on my phone (right click menu), and it came up with similar images that have 3 different headers (Ezekiel XI, Psalm CXXXIII, Amos VII) and I gathered that it is something to do with specific masonic rituals reading specific KJV verses... since I felt a general sense of revulsion ("Disgust", in the movie Inside Out, who protects the child from poison (notionally) and broccoli (actually)), I did not run it to ground.
Insightful coverage and I am glad to hear the DDF putting its food down on something evil and erroneous like Masonry. Yet, ironically, if religious indifferentism and bad philosophy are the real reasons for squashing Masonry then why not also condemn and excommunicate those who support secularism, woke ideologies, Liberalism, LGBT stuff, progressivism, etc. (i.e. the Democratic Party’s platform). Religious indifferentism and secularism appears at face value to be the reason for any Catholic to support the DNC’s vision of human life and governance. If we are honest Masonry’s secular venom has left American Catholicism half-dead. Now, there may be hope for the Philippines.
Yeah, I felt the same way when I heard this - like of all things, they're going to come down hard on Masonry? I mean I'll take the wins that we can get but it's puzzling when you can join Catholics for Choice, or one of the dozens of pro-homosexuality/transgender groups, or be a politician supporting the expansion of abortion, and still be allowed to receive communion, but joining a Masonic lodge is a hard no.
Again, not saying this was wrong by the DDF, but it just reinforces the perception that they are catering to the popular movements (homosexuality/transgender groups mostly) with all of their wishy-washy answers to various dubia that comes in on those subjects, but when something else opposed to Catholicism that most people don't really care about is inquired on, they shut it down instantly. A little consistency would be nice, is all I'm saying.
It’s not just the philosophy.. it’s also the organisation, political manoeuvring and networking that lodges provide. For example in Mexico, membership to a free mason lodge was basically all but a legal requirement for promotion in the army and civil service. Same in Australia at certain points. My great grandfather caused immense scandal when he converted to Catholicism and resigned his 2IC role in his Lodge so he could marry my great grandmother. It caused a lot of economic hardship for them trying to rebuild a construction business having alienated the wealthy, lodge connected Anglican community.
Moral of the story, free masonary is a deeply anticlerical, terrible and politically manipulative organsiation. Unfortunately conspiracy theorists are too busy worrying about they’re pyramid mystical power to read minds to see the ACTUAL impact they have.
I felt the same way reading the article. I am delighted by the DDF's decision but also couldn't help feeling that even a broken clock is right twice each day.
Last I checked, there are no chapters in the Gay and Trans Agenda that specifies ceremonies that are anti-Catholic.
Just anti-Catholic beliefs, worldview and practices, right?
Not consciously anti-Catholic. Most of them wouldn’t be able to identify a Catholic belief even it it fish slapped them Monty python style. Masons are deliberately anti Catholic. Woke is is only accidentally anti Catholic.
It's astonishing how little even the basic tenets of Christianity are understood anymore in mainstream culture. Cultural repaganization is swift and relentless.
While the leader of the other party gives us divorce, adultery and Stormy Daniels.
This is a good question and should disturb American Catholics greatly. Our republic is built on Masonic values. It’s true that the Democratic Party asks us to put secular values above our Catholicism. But doesn’t the Republican Party ask us to put capitalism, gun rights, and anti-immigration above our faith, too? I mean, all the immigrants they love to hate on right now are Catholics! That’s why I vote American Solidarity.
Not really. You are free to quibble with the GOPs position on specific prudential issues. And as a Catholic you certainly do not have to side with the GOP on many issues.
However there is nothing inherently anti Catholic about immigration regulation, gun ownership or capitalism. In my opinion the gap in between typical GOP positions and Catholic teaching is not nearly as egregious as it is on the Democratic side.
I know there’s nothing I can say to convince you—it’s the majority position right now, and no amount of papal encyclicals on social thought will suffice—but seriously, isn’t it strange that the immigrants they complain about are always the Catholic ones?
Are they though? They may still be the pluarality, maybe even the slight majority. But just like everywhere else, Catholicism is in decline in Mexico, Central America etc. And how many of those that come are indeed practicing Catholics? I'm really not sure. Just pointing out that I don't think the so called "complaining" is about their Catholicism or perceived Catholicism.
I could even concede that the ASP is most closely aligned with Catholic Social Teaching. The problem is that the never have a fair chance of winning, and from a Catholic perspective I'd much rather have the GOP in office than the Democrats.
My understanding is that those entering the United States illegally who have been caught doing so recently have come from over 100 countries.
Also, I vote American Solidarity for this very reason, not Democrat. But Catholic Republicans should at least push back on social justice issues and be a force for change in their party.
In what way though? What "social justice" issues do you see the GOP as being entirely contrary to Catholic teaching? The death penalty is a sticky one sure, but immigration laws, gun rights, economics are entirely prudential areas. Nothing in the current GOP standard platform I would consider anathema to Catholic teaching in those areas.
Always good to see the Catholic Church being Catholic
I can’t wait for Ed’s hot take on this!
For an interesting read...
Murder in the 33rd Degree , The Gagnon Investigation into Vatican Freemasonry
by Fr. Charles T. Murr
What a time to be alive. I am both super excited that we are taking the war to the masons but also a bit in line with Filius up top in the “you are going after this?” Crowd. But I also get it. Masonry is apparently a huge problem in the Church in the Philippines. Good thing we have a Jesuit in charge to counter their secret society with (allegedly) one of our own.
...and yet, oddly enough, no one seems to be angrily demanding that women be given positions of governance in the Lodges or liturgical appointments in Masonic rituals.
I guess my big problem with the Masons is that they lack a certain...I don't know. Synodality, I suppose.
I know using the words "democrat" and "republican" are like throwing fire crackers into a darkened room. It always gets a reaction causing honest discussion and fierce opinions. What is most important is knowing that when one votes it is not a mere person, nor a mere party that comes in to power. But it is a philosophy of human life that is elected. There are consequence to elections that are much deeper than mere social teaching. And a political Party's ethos ought to be of consideration, whether cogent with Catholic life or not. At face value the RNC seeks to Conserve something of the Western Tradition of governance, and the DNC seeks to disrupt the West and its values.
Is Father Julito Cortez a friend of Poor Francis or some of the Vatican higher ups? Maybe the letter was a set up so Pope Francis could come down on Freemasonry with our looking like he brought the subject up. . .and help to put down rumors that he is a Freemasonry himself. Conspiracy theories anyone?
Ed, I don't know if you'll see this but I'd love an interview or an explainer on how the free masons went from simple stone mason guild to bizarre philosophical, spiritual, and (by the collective experience of exorcists I've read from) deeply demonic place it is at now? I've read both your articles, and they explain the innocuous origins of the group and then the sinister present of it's rituals but do we know how that transition happened?
To further explain my interest, it's odd to me how something so seemingly innocent as the stone mason guild (from their origins) has become so dramatically and emphatically opposed to Catholicism in the wide reaching and professionally deeply rooted secular community it is today. Where did all that stuff come from, if it wasn't there at it's inauguration? And don't just say France.