Why Catholics Are Forbidden From Becoming Freemasons | EWTN News Nightly

Reaction is pouring in after the Vatican's release of a document this week on the faithful and Freemasons. The Holy See says Catholics are forbidden from becoming Freemasons. The document was in response to a question from a bishop in the Philippines. He says many faithful there are expressing an interest in joining Freemasons, the largest worldwide oath bound secret society. Father Thomas Petri joins to tell us more about Freemasons and why membership is not compatible with the Catholic faith. The Vatican's statement in answer to the bishop from the Philippines did more than just say membership is forbidden. It also made a suggestion to Church leaders on handling this issue. Fr. Petri shares more about that and what he thought of the response overall. He discusses whether other religions or Christian denominations have a stance on membership in the Freemasons. If a Catholic is in the Freemasons and refuses to leave, Fr. Petri discusses whether he could be excommunicated. He explains how prevalent Freemasons are in the US and whether he has encountered them in his daily life.
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