The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has reaffirmed its long-established stance forbidding members from affiliating with Freemasonry.
In an official statement titled “Catholics and Freemasonry” and signed by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, the Church emphasized that its teachings on this issue remain unchanged, declaring that membership in Masonic associations is incompatible with Catholic doctrine.
Responding to inquiries about whether the Church had revised its position on Freemasonry, the statement unequivocally asserted, “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 statement also referenced the Church’s official position issued on November 26, 1983, when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Declaration on Masonic Associations.
This declaration firmly 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.
