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A fascinating article about Freemasons & Catholics from Pillar Catholic

Published on by Kathy ClubbLeave a comment

when catholics could be masons by nico fassino at pillar catholic

For hundreds of years, the Catholic Church has prohibited its members from joining Masonic lodges.

Freemasonry has been denounced by numerous popes, beginning with Pope Clement XII in 1738, on the grounds that it promotes religious indifferentism.

But after the Second Vatican Council, many Catholics around the world suddenly became confused about whether it was permissible for Catholics to become Masons. 

From the Catholic Transcript (newspaper of the Archdiocese of Hartford), September 27, 1974, page 3. Scan via Catholic News Archive, public domain.

In fact, there was a seven-year stretch in the 1970s when the English-speaking Catholic world was taught by its bishops that, although it was not encouraged, it was in fact permitted to become a Mason, as long as certain conditions were met. 

Then, at the end of those seven years, these Catholics were suddenly informed that joining the Masons was actually still forbidden under pain of excommunication – and always had been.

That period in history is all but forgotten today. But a survey of Catholic newspapers from the time period offers a glimpse into the confusion that surrounded the subject of Masonry in the American Catholic world 50 years ago.

Changes anticipated: 1971-1974

While work was underway on the revised Code of Canon Law in Rome in the early 1970s, it became clear that there was widespread anticipation that the Church would soon change her teaching on Catholic participation in Freemasonry. 

In August 1971, National Catholic News Service – the news service of the U.S. bishops – issued a lengthy report which predicted that the Church would soon modify her teaching on the matter. 

Headlined, “Catholic-Masonic Relations Enter Friendly New Era,” the report included commentary from leading experts in Rome, including Fr. Jean Beyer, SJ – Dean of Faculty of Canon Law at the Gregorian University in Rome and a consultor to the Vatican Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law. The syndicated story ran in official diocesan newspapers throughout the nation. 

The Catholic Transcript (newspaper of the Archdiocese of Hartford), August 20, 1971, page 9. Scan via Catholic News Archive, public domain.

Two years later, in June 1973, National Catholic News Service again reported that Church officials were expecting and planning for a change in Church teaching. 

The article, headlined “Church ban on Freemasonry expected to be relaxed,” revealed that the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales had sent letters to all priests in their country, informing them that some “relaxation” in the ban on Freemasonry was expected soon. 

According to the letter from the English hierarchy, “it seems probable that each national bishops’ conference will be left to decide whether Masons will have to resign membership in being received into the Church, and also whether requests from laymen [to] join the Masons may be granted.”

The National Catholic News Service (by the US Bishops Conference), June 27, 1973, wire copy page 1. Scan via Catholic News Archive, public domain.

This news was widely printed in official diocesan newspapers throughout the country and continued to be discussed in newspapers and clerical journals between the summer of 1973 and spring 1974.

The growing consensus — as promoted by the U.S. bishops’ news service — was that the old prohibition would soon be changed.

The St. Louis Review (newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis), December 7, 1973, page 9. Scan via Catholic News Archive, public domain.

Continue reading this article at Pillar Catholic:

Note regarding the main image: it was found at this site and is obviously taken more recently than the 1970″s!!

Papal Encyclicals go Arty

Published on by Kathy ClubbLeave a comment

If there was a prize for inane events, it would have to go to the Vatican.

Take the latest offering: an exhibition at the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale – touted as “an internationally renowned event that showcases both classical and modern artwork from around the world.”  

The Vatican’s exhibition is titled “Social friendship: meeting in the garden” and is meant to represent Benedictine simplicity. Included in this display of ‘simplicity” are these juvenile wooden sculptures, made by the Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza. Perhaps the poor fellow was ‘simple-minded” and someone felt sorry for him.

Perhaps the wooden blocks are Jenga pieces and the whole thing it is a statement about evolution and how mankind randomly fell together from a jumble of DNA. (Like these Jenga pieces ending up as humanoids – get it?)

The Dicastery for Culture and Education tells us that the exhibition is “a way of celebrating the ten years of Pope Francis’ pontificate and the dialogue he has established with the world.” I’m glad there’s something to celebrate after this decade of apostasy overseen by Francis the Destroyer.

A sycophantic Cardinal from the Dicastery spouted some Bergoglio-esque drivel about the papacy: Cardinal Mendoca:

“We want to see how some of the main ideas of this pontificate can be key to a dialogue with contemporary architecture and converge in a vision that takes the risk of imagining a different future.“

The Cardinal explains that Laudato si’ and Fratelli Tutti:

” … help us not only to make a critical, precise and sincere diagnosis of the present, but also challenge us to raise our gaze, rediscovering the capacity to dream with determination of the prophecy of a better world.“

Why does this example from the exhibition …….

…. remind me of this?

And why do both of those images give me the feeling that Francis’ “better” One-World-Government-One-World-Religion world is something along the lines of THIS???

Spiritual Effects of Sodomite Priests

Published on by Kathy Clubb5 Comments

This extract is taken from Slaying dragons II: The Rise of the Occult (click here to purchase)

“The effects of sodomy on the individual, in particular on a clergyman, are so much more devastating than many in the hierarchy seem to accept in our age. This sort of devastation, as Fr Athanasius [a pseudonym] explained, can indeed make priests disposed toward occult practices. He said, “Once someone compromises the conscience and habitually lives in sin, the devil’s suggestions become more constant and acceptable. But consider the interest the devil has in high value targets such as priests. Every mortal sin of a priest is a sacrilege. It makes sense that the Enemy will concentrate on them to bring about anti-priests, anti-liturgy, anti-Church. And today we’ve got a lot of possessed clergy thanks to their sodomitical ways, You’d be surprised.” When I further asked if he thought there were occultists in today’s hierarchy, he replied, “Absolutely!”

“The compromising of the conscience mentioned by the above exorcist is surely accomplished by the enemy through the moral and spiritual effects produced by the sin of sodomy. In The Book of Gomorrah, St. Peter Damien presented the evil effects brought about by the presence of this abominable vice within the priesthood in the eleventh century. From these, and in light of the comments by Fr. Athanasius, we can see how this could easily dispose those clergy today to embrace the occult, guilty as they are of the same abominations condemned by St. Peter Damien. St. Peter Damien said that sodomy “evicts the Holy Spirit from the temple of the human heart; it introduces the devil who incites to lust.” Further, “It casts into error [and] extinguishes the light of the mind … It defiles everything, stains everything, pollutes everything.” The damage done to the priest or Bishop involved in such behaviour is immense:

In fact, after this most poisonous serpent once sinks its fangs into the unhappy soul, (moral) sense is snatched away, memory is borne off, the sharpness of the mind is obscured. It becomes unmindful of God and even forgetful of itself. This plague undermines the foundation of faith, weakens the strength of hope, destroys the bond of charity; it takes away justice, subverts fortitude, banishes temperance, blunts the keenness of prudence.

St. Peter Damien, “Book of Gomorrah”, p 63-4.

“Further, St. Peter Damien added, “This vice casts men from the choir of the ecclesiastical community and compels them to pray with the possessed and with those who work for the devils.” With all these negative effects articulated, the mind is quick to respond, “How can a man, given over to this vice, seek to govern the Church as a Bishop or priest, or lead souls to Christ, or protect the Mass, or raise up new holy priests, and avoid leading the people into error?” These men, St. Peter Damien declared, “Try with such desire to ensnare the people of God in the bonds of [their] own ruin,” and lamented, “What fruitfulness can still be found in the flocks when the shepherd is so deeply sunk in the belly of the devil?”

“Given the rampant acceptance of homosexuality in the clergy today, and the presence of these men even among the Bishops, as it was in St. Peter Damien’s day, these criticisms and laments need to be considered as we seek to understand the spiritual fallout which is the result of having these men as the spiritual leaders of the Church today.”

Masons involved in the Synod on Synodality

Published on by Kathy ClubbLeave a comment

Well, I guess it’s not really surprising.

During Australia’s Plenary Council process, there were lapsed Catholics, alphabet-soup Catholics, Protestants, Moslems, and even atheists all giving their two-cents’ worth on the Church. So it stands to reason that somewhere along the line, Freemasons would want to have some input into the Church’s future – especially seeing as so many of them occupy important positions in the hierarchy these days.

From FSSPX NEWS:

“The Conference of Bishops of the Philippines (CBCP) has just issued a statement reminding the faithful of the impossibility of a Catholic being a part of Freemasonry. A welcome clarification, as it appears that Freemasons in the archipelago had been participating in the preparatory work for the Synod on Synodality.

The declaration of the Filipino bishops is part of the context of the synod organized in the archipelago, as everywhere else in the world. The debate is indeed more and more lively on the participation of “Catholic Freemasons” in synodal consultations.

“We thought that the teachings of the Catholic Church on the matter had evolved. Since several participants in the Synod are Freemasons, we thought that the Church had relaxed its rules on joining Masonry and participating in activities of the Catholic Church,” explains Gloria Buencamino.

For this parishioner from Quezon City, the episcopal development is surprising, because in some churches, “Catholic Freemasons help the priest distribute communion; in our parish alone we have two and they were delegated to the Synod on Synodality. They are good and pious Catholics,” she says.

“Good and pious Catholics?”

Well, of course they are. At least Freemasons believe in the Real Presence, (albeit only in order to profane the Lord) which is more than can be said for the majority of non-Mason Catholics.

As usual, the Masons themselves have no problem with Church membership: it is only the Catholics who are bigoted and exclusive. From the article:

… Frank Munez hosts a lodge in Manila. For this 61-year-old Mason, there is no opposition between Catholicism and Masonry: “It is above all a fraternal community. What’s wrong with that? We have nothing against God, in fact, we encourage our members to be men of faith and good citizens,” he told Ucanews.

One further reason why Masons want to be involved in the Synod? I’ll give you a clue. It rhymes with Synodality. (And here’s what I wrote about it a little while ago)

How does a prelate become a Freemason?

Published on by Kathy Clubb3 Comments

From ‘Unholy Craft’by Arnaud de Lassus

In Italy, in 1999, a book was published anonymously entitled Via col vento in Vaticano and, according to the editor the French version, “would have come from a group of high-ranking Vatican dignitaries who chose to break the law of silence.”

It is a collective work describing various disorders affecting the Holy See. The chapters are not all of equal value and some call for serious reservations. Chapter 18, The Smoke of Satan in the Vatican, deals with Freemasonry and, in four very interesting pages, explains the process used to entice prelates to affiliate to the craft.

There is a real novitiate for recruiting ecclesiastics to the Masonic order. Among ecclesiastics, there is a certain category of men in which Masonry seeks possible collaborators; these must combine certain gifts: keen intelligence, a great desire for advancement, ambition, quickness to understand and to pretend to understand nothing, willingness to serve and, if necessary, a good physical presence and a pleasing face.

When a young ecclesiastic meets these criteria … it remains only to engage him by titillating his pride.

The author insists on the secrecy of the operation which is a consideration of its success:

In this first phase it is absolutely necessary that the designated candidate remains in total ignorance of what is being set up around him. The Masonic technique requires to be revealed progressively, so that the associate discovers the secret society’s aims only gradually, as the superiors think fit.

The first contact is made as naturally as possible. An invitation to an accomodating embassy for a national festival, unexpectedly meeting someone who claims to be delighted to have met him, a prelate who asks him for something and shows his gratitude. Then comes the phase of compliments and flattery: What a treasure, such kindness, such keen intelligence … You deserve better – you are wasting your time. Why don’t we address each other less formally? …. Then one enters the phase of future prospects: I know such a prelate, such a cardinal, such an ambassador or such a minister ….I’ll willingly put in a word for you; I’ll say you are someone who deserves higher responsibilities ….

At this stage, the proposer immediately realises whether the interested party has taken the bait.

The process thus described will continue for several years, always in secret.

Gradually, the promises made are fulfilled. The pre-selected candidate notes that these were not in vain and believes it is his duty to be grateful to the friend whom he regards as his benefactor. During this time, his career progresses very smoothly without encountering any difficulties. Brilliant prospects in the service of the Church appear before him and he begins to see a position which would suit him rather well.

Then, when fired with ambition and vanity, the naive prelate has at hand the evidence of his effortless advancement, which he hasn’t yet fully grasped, and when other promotion to higher levels still beckon – it is at this stage that the explanatory phase arrives.

The recruiters explain to the candidate that:

  • If he has attained such wonderful positions, it is thanks to the discrete support of the Masonic order and its friends
  • He is free to continue to collaborate with this order, which will ensure his advancement continues.

In this very delicate phase, it is up to the prelate, in crisis, to decide which choice to make.

The desire to continue to advance, the excitement of knowing one is being introduced into the Masonic group, the fear of unavoidable revelations should he refuse to join, or, on the contrary, the vacuum he can already feel around him, the fraternal exhortation of some dignitary to go ahead, as he himself has done formerly: In a word, all this ends up convincing the prelate to follow the path mapped out for him by others without him being aware of it.

The higher one’s position, the more likely one is likely to be gripped by the fear of losing the high position one has attained. One abyss opens after another. One seeks to justify oneself.

Many prelates, thus compromised, end up by giving in and become members of the Masonic apparatus and under obligation to obey its instructions.

Thus, once infiltrated into his ecclesiastical setting, the brave Masonic novice’s first duty is to maintain his credibility by keeping his promises and, if necessary, to cast, as poseurs and hypocrites, the prelates of the place he has infiltrated.

Skilfully hooked, the new Freemason then becomes a pawn in the secret lodge’s sphere of action and is added to the others already there. His rise can now continue unabated towards the top with the help of other ‘brothers.’

This is a remarkable process, founded on secrecy, which can easily last ten years and which can be implemented by disciplined, well trained …. and patient personnel. It is undoubtedly used not only in the Curia, but just as much in the secular and ecclesiastical worlds.

Two general remarks can be made following the observations which have been made on Masonic infiltration within the Curia and on the process used for that purpose.

The presence of Freemasons in key positions in the Church explains to a great extent the doctrinal and disciplinary deviations of these last forty years. It is particularly clear in the case of liturgical reform.

As for the process that is used to produce Masonic prelates, it is very important to understand it and to make it known, because it obviously loses its effectiveness when it is known.

In conclusion, let us remain alert to the Masonic question. It is one of the keys to the current crisis, political as well as religious and, as Pope Leo XIII said in the encyclical Humanum genus,it is necessary ‘to tear away the mask from Freemasonry and to let it be seen as it really is.‘

Let us remain alert and keep faith in the Church; we know that the gates of hell will not prevail against Her.

The Church is truly a supernatural society, truly holy. The Mystical Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, of unblemished fidelity, in the image of the Virgin Mary. Without exception, throughout the centuries, and until the end of the world, ‘She is Jesus Christ, given and communicated. That and nothing else.’

The Clown-World Papacy

Published on by Kathy ClubbLeave a comment

While faithful Catholics around the world are pre-occupied with a multitude of concerns such as how to pay their next utility bill, avoiding a random nuclear attack or wondering is their beloved TLM will be around next week, the Vatican continues to astonish with its commitment to pursuing worldly concerns and superfluity. Case in point, this article from VATICAN NEWS:

Pope invites 2,000 homeless, refugees and prisoners to the circus

Over 2,000 people are expected to attend a special circus show in Rome on 11 February as part of an initiative organized by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, among whom will be refugee families from Ukraine, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan.

Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, has invited over 2,000 people to attend a special circus performance on Saturday, 11 February. The show will be performed by the Rony Roller circus company.

(Amove: an image included with the Vatican News report. Note the Luciferian ‘M’ hand sign, indicating membership in Freemasonry.)

According to a statement by the Dicastery (also known as the Apostolic Alms Office), the people invited include refugees, homeless, prisoners, and refugee families with children from Ukraine, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

There will also be some families living in squattered buildings in Rome, and more than 150 homeless people living in the streets of the Roman suburb of Torvaianica and in various dormitories. They will be accompanied by volunteers, including the Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa.

“Allowing these people to attend the show is a way of giving a few hours of serenity to those who face hardships and need help to sustain hope”,  the Papal Almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski explains in the statement. “As the Pope said when meeting artists, the Circus puts us in touch with the beauty that always cheers us up and makes us go beyond difficulties, it is a way to reach the Lord.”

The show also reminds of the countless hours of training and sacrifices behind this art and this beauty: “The artists of the circus confirm to us that persevering can make the impossible possible”, Cardinal Krajewski said.

There is art and beauty in a circus? Who knew? Why not show them through the Sistine Chapel instead, or have the St Peter’s choir sing some Palestrina?

Regarding the subtle yet distinctive Masonic gesture – hidden in plain sight – here are some more samples: to the left, Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons. To the right is, I believe, Christopher Columbus.

Here are a couple of circus members with the magician who sometimes appears with them. Make what you will of that hand gesture.

The Curia should remember that only Cardinals have voting rights at the next conclave – hypnotising or bribing the disadvantaged will be of no help on that fateful day.