THE Vatican has officially banned Catholics from becoming Freemasons, it has emerged.
A letter from the Vatican’s doctrinal office read: "Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is prohibited, because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry.”
RTE reported that the letter published on Monday was countersigned by Pope Francis, following alarm from a Bishop in the Philippines about a rise in Freemasonry in his country.
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It follows another ruling last week, that transgender people may be baptised, serve as godparents and act as witnesses at Catholic weddings.
The latest ban on Freemasons cited a 1983 declaration that had been signed by the late Pope Benedict XVI, that declared Catholics “in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.”
Normally only open to men, Masonic lodges are known for their secretive rituals and symbols and are sometimes linked to conspiracy theories suggesting they have influence over world affairs.
In Belfast, the Masonic Lodge dates back to 1755 and was initially known as The Orange Masonic Lodge of Belfast, even though it predates the Orange Order.
A full history of the lodge is available online, and details how The Orange Lodge of Belfast had once “boldly supported Catholic Emancipation”.
