The Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie has stated one cannot be a true Catholic and a Freemason at the same time.
According to him, the Catholic Church’s teaching remains unchanged and emphasises that membership in Masonic societies is contradictory to Catholic doctrine.
The statement, which addresses questions boldly states, “The Church has not changed its position on Freemasons. You can’t be a true Catholic and a Freemason at the same time.”
A document which traces the Church’s position back to November 26, 1983, detailed, “Masonic principles are irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church, and Catholic membership in Freemasonry remains forbidden.”
Parts of the Catholic Archbishop of Accra’s statements read, “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 statement further warned Catholics who join Masonic associations to commit a grave sin and are barred from receiving Holy Communion, it indicated that the Freemasonry often compares 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.
“Freemasonry wants the destruction of Christianity, and no one can claim to be a proud Catholic and a Freemason,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the minority leader of parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in an interview on Citi TV, restated that he is a Freemason and a Roman Catholic at the same time.
