Can Roman Catholics Be Masons?

CAN ROMAN CATHOLICS BE MASONS ?

Translated from the " Boletin Masonico" ( Mexico ) for the " American Tyler , " by Bro . Eli Broad . THIS is a question which , while probably very much debated in our Lodges , has not yet been resolved in conformity with the sound principles and fche ends our sublime Institution pursues . In effect , it has been believed that Masonry—recognising Liberty

under all its phases as a base , and being foreign to purely religious questions—should open the doors of its temples to all men who solicit , without asking them the religion they profess . Such an opinion , at first sight , appears logical and in every way consistent with the spirit of Masonry ; but if we go a little deeper into the

question , and if we enter into some considerations which experience suggest , we shall agree that the Catholics cannot be Masons , and that their presence in our Lodges is a constant threat , a continual menace to all our securities . If Masonry recognises liberty as a base , how can it admit to its bosom

individuals who have spontaneously renounced thafc precious gift which nature itself concedes them ? The Catholics reject liberty as being pernicious , and for that reason we see them adhere in everything to the dispositions of their prelates . The Catholics have no will of their own , because , as believers , all their actions

obey the caprices , the superstition , and even the perversity of their superior , who presents himself before them with all the prestige given to him by the infallibility he has conceded to himself . The Catholics are obliged to accept them without commenting thereon , because the beliefs imposed on them by the

church are to them true and unquestionable ; because—oh ! decay of reason ! to them the voice of the Eoman pontiff should surpass the authorised voice of Science , which more than once has condemned as absurd and ridiculous the so-called truths of

Catholicism . For that reason the Catholics at all times have been opposed to the advance of Science and have always pretended to maintain societies in statu quo , incompatible with human progress .

When men of genius—sacrificing their private interests on the altar of common good—have pretended to lead the people in the paths of their perfection , they have always found obstacles , at times invincible , placed there by Catholicism , which , refractory to all progress and enemy of every reform , when it finds itself conquered on the ground of reason , appeals to the " Ifc is nofc yet

Can Roman Catholics Be Masons?

time , " a constant argument with which it pretends to assure the empire of routine , and the reign of the old prejudices . Call a Catholic and demonstrate to him that his creed is absurd , because ifc is in open conflict wifch reason , and . he will reply that his religion is based on mysteries which he cannot an d ought not to

comment upon ; but thafc he ought to believe in them because the church so commands him and the high pontiff so ordainsthat man who , with the scorn of the modesty and humility which characterised the illustrious executed one of Calvary , of whom he calls himself fche representative , accepts without scruple the

appellation Most Holy given to him by the servility , the baseness and abjection of his inferiors . Tell a Catholic that the people should now shake off the yoke imposed on them by theocratic power , as only in this manner can they attain their true felicity , and he will reply that the people are ignorant and for the same reason it is not yet time to emancipate them from the salutary

tutelage of the clergy ; because for the Catholics it is never time to give a step in the path of progress , it is never time to abandon the routine , however pernicious it may be . The Catholics venerate Christ and adore him as their true God . Nevertheless , how distant they are from accepting , even in theory , all the beautiful precepts of the great Martyr of Liberty . And are such individuals worthy of belonging to the Great Family ?

The Masons live a life of continuous activity , and love Liberty under all its forms , because they see in it a precious gift , against which any attempt is a crime ; true apostles of progress , their labours are all directed to the fraternising of man , procuring thus to realise the beautiful ideals of the Crucified One , The

true Mason sees his fellow-creatures as his own brothers , is always disposed to succour in their necessities , even to those who ridicule and despise him , because the true Mason practices goodness for the goodness itself , without thinking of the hope of a recompense that will amply repay the kindness done—hope that

makes vapid every good action . The true Mason always works to illuminate the people , because he sees in their enlightenment the fount of their true felicity , while the Catholic fears enlightenment , because he considers it as fche origin of heresy . The true Mason proclaims equality , and how many times have we seen

gutter on the worn garb of humble artisans the insignia and jewels of our high dignitaries , while the Catholics reserve their consideration and respects for the rich and the potentates . The true Mason knows " that man is free to think , while the Catholic rejects liberty of thought , as though he could be subject to fixed

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