Update: State Advocate for the Minnesota Knights of Columbus made the following disingenuous statement: "We would allow gay and lesbian use of the KC Hall as long as they were not publicly opposing church teaching."
Perhaps the folks at CPCSM would be interested in renting a hall in the future, or perhaps the Ku Klux Klan?
You can call Mr. Terwedo at (952) 492-2200.
Edit: Isn't it great when two fraternal organizations whose mutual association would be frowned upon by the Catholic Church, look past all that to break bread in an official capacity?
FYI, from then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger via here:
It has been asked whether there has been any change in the Church’s decision in regard to Masonic associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly, unlike the previous code.This is from "Minnesota Masons Facebook Page':
This sacred congregation is in a position to reply that this circumstance is due to an editorial criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise unmentioned inasmuch as they are contained in wider categories.
Therefore, the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations 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 enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.
It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the declaration of this sacred congregation issued Feb. 17,1981. 4 .
In an audience granted to the undersigned cardinal prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this sacred congregation.
Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Nov. 26, 1983 English translation from Latin. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect. Father Jerome Hamer, O.P., Titular Archbishop of Lorium, Secretary."Declaration of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith"; 26 November 1983.5 .
Templar Lodge No. 176 in St. Louis Park is hosting a special fundraising event for their Master, W. Brother Scott Anderson. Scott is 42 years old and recently suffered two strokes.
The medical bills are high and the lodge is trying to raise some money and then go to the Grand Lodge for some matching funds in an effort to help him out.
The pancake breakfast is on Sunday, August 12th, 9:00 a.m. until ...1:00 p.m. At the Marian hall, Knights of Columbus, 1114 American Boulevard West, Bloomington. Cost is $7.00 a plate and includes pancakes, sausage, milk and juice.
Can’t make it but you would still like to contribute? Please feel free to send a donation to Templar Lodge No. 176 Secretary Michael Dunn, 7400 Beard Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443-3534.
Thank you for your consideration.
Doug --
Douglas Campbell - Grand Secretary - Grand Lodge of Minnesota
Mason photo credit: The Pennsylvania Freemason
Pancake Photo Credit: consumer news.
Direct Complaints to:
Knights of Columbus Headquarters
1 Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 752-4000
47 comments:
Why don't they host pancake breakfasts at
their own lodge? Infiltration, that's why.
When the KofC leadership flailed about on the issue of dismissing members who publicly supported abortion or other Catholic teaching (specifically politicians), I clipped my membership card in half and sent it to the "supreme knight" with an explanation, then formally renounced my knighthood and the kofc in writing to the council of which I was a part.
They're not serious. It's really just a big social club.
that should be, "members who publicly supported abortion or other issues in conflict with Catholic teaching..."
The Bishop of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic in Chicago also hangs out with the Freemasons.
How do I know this? I had a luncheon with him 3 years ago after a Divine Liturgy for a Romanian Byzantine Catholic Priest who died, and the Bishop came in his honour because Father Mizulmo's own Bishop was too busy running a Summer program in California. Bloody shame.
Anyway, I am sure that he is not the only Bishop who hangs with Freemasons.
Just when I expect the people at the Mid Level Management to know better, they let me down. I wonder how many people at the Front Office in Rome hang out with the Freemasons? Maybe they are beer drinking buddies.
You would know much more about the relationship between the Catholic Church and Freemasonry if you see the following web address headed by Father Luigi Villa.
http://www.chiesaviva.com/
goodah!!! I agree. Amen.
Rome has gone to the dogs since a Fat Boy became Pope, John XXIII, was a very fat boy. Starting with this Fat Boy, the Church has been in spiral of death decline since.
I don't know if I should blame his fat cells, his fat head, or Freemasonry. Maybe they are all just one of the same.
Dog Gone It, Fat Popes make for Bad Popes.
The Grand Supreme Knight ...is a Mason ...
"Wherefore We command most strictly and in virtue of holy obedience, all the faithful of whatever state, grade, condition, order, dignity or pre-eminence, whether clerical or lay, secular or regular, even those who are entitled to specific and individual mention, that none, under any pretext or for any reason, shall dare or presume to enter, propagate or support these aforesaid societies of Liberi Muratori or Francs Massons, or however else they are called, or to receive them in their houses or dwellings or to hide them, be enrolled among them, joined to them, be present with them, give power or permission for them to meet elsewhere, to help them in any way, to give them in any way advice, encouragement or support either openly or in secret, directly or indirectly, on their own or through others; nor are they to urge others or tell them, incite or persuade them to be enrolled in such societies or to be counted among their number, or to be present or to assist them in any way; but they must stay completely clear of such Societies, Companies, Assemblies, Meetings, Congregations or Conventicles, under pain of excommunication for all the above mentioned people, which is incurred by the very deed without any declaration being required, and from which no one can obtain the benefit of absolution, other than at the hour of death, except through Ourselves or the Roman Pontiff of the time."
--IN EMINENTI, PAPAL BULL OF POPE CLEMENT XII
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Clem12/c12inemengl.htm
Having fellowship with the workers of darkness is part of the "new ecumenism." Dialog to consensus with the doers of evil works of unrighteousness. The KofC is an profit making insurance racket. The top Church hierarchy will not do anything about this. It is up to individuals to decide whether they are with Christ or against Him.
Michael Voris, of ChurchMilitant.TV, did two 5-minute video on KofC and why he dropped out.
Good Night, Knights! Uploaded by RealCatholicTV on Jul 20, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZduFsbwN84
_________________
The Knights, Redux Uploaded by RealCatholicTV on Aug 4, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xjOQTe12Os&lr=1&feature=mhee
_________________
Here is a 1992 article about the KofC - problems were existent in 1992.
Fidelity Magazine
http://www.culturewars.com/CultureWars/Archives/Fidelity_archives/kc.html
Now is the time for Catholics to be not conformed to this wicked world system. The national office of the KofC long ago became conformed to this world system.
john the 23rd was proprted to be a mason and he had taken the name of the antipope of the 13th century - john the 23rd 0which john was never to be used again as a Popes name and he took the identical name----he Knights of Colmbus have bothered us for a long time they have the SAME STRUCTURE AS THE MASONS DO AND SET UP THE SAME WAY- AND THEIR OUTWARD EGOTISTICAL STYLE IN THE MEMEBERS THEMSELVES ARE A BIG PROBLEM THEY NEED To BE DISBANNED AS WELL AS THE USCCB BOTH ARE DETERMENTIAL TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. IN ACTUALITY WORK AGAiSNT THE CHURCH.THE USCCB IS SO LIBERAL AND IN THIS COUNTRY COMPLETELY WORKING TO DESTROY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN BREAKING THE 19TH AMENDMENT, THEY CAN NOT TELL THESE FRIGGIN CRIMINAL FEDRAL FELONS ILLEGAL MEXICANS AND MUSLIMS TO STAY HERE THEY MUST BE THE FIRST TO TELL THEM TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND OBEY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES- AS JESUS HIMSELF SAID OBEY THE CIVIL LAWS OF THE LAND- I.E. THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION THE LAW OF OUR LAND! THEY ARE GIH TREASONIST TRAITORS BETRAYERS AND CHECK OUT THE MILITANT CATHOOLIC TV . COM SITE TODAY- IT HITS IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD!
JOHN THE 23RD TOOK THE NAME OF THE NTI POPE OF THE 13 CENTURY- JOHN THE 23RD. THE NAME JOHN WAS NEVER TO BE USED AGAIN AND HAD NOT UNTIL HIM =HE WAS ALSO THE SUPREME KNIGHT OF THE MASONS AS WELL =THEY ACCOMPLISHED THEIR SET GOAL OF CHRIAAHING THE CHURCH- BY THIS ACT EVER SINCE THEN WOTH HIS CALLING VATICAN2 FOR NO REASON0- NO COUNCIL HAD EVER BEEN CALLED FOR NO REASON BEFORE THERE ALWAYS HAD TO GREAT ISSUES TO CALL A COUNCIL IN THE PAST, HE TOTALY DESTROYED OUR CHURCH WITH THE SEED OF REBELLION ..
I'm confused about about American Masons. My late grandfather was a Mason (At one time in his life, I'm talking about the 1920s or 30s) He and my grandmother loved going to midnight Mass though Protestant. Their daughter, my mother married a Catholic man, (My father) and still married after 60 years. A close friend of mine, we've been friends since childhood was a 33 degree Mason (What ever that is?) he would run for office and Southern Baptists were angry at him for being a Mason. I told him, "It's all those secret codes and prayers to lucifer you guys have!" He said, "What? I'm a Methodist!" Now he's active in Rotary. Are the Masons in the U.S. really a big problem? Just wondrin'...JO
Yes, Juan, itis a huge problem. what most people don't realize is that freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity and even though most guys at the lower level s are left in the dark, the upper levels seek the downfall of Christianity, especially the Catholic church, but not limited to it. If you do a little research on this,
I think you will find out for yourself God bless you!
So was Bishop Annabelle Bugnini who wrote the New Order of Mass at Vatican II under Paul VI then was exciled to Iran,and John XXIII had also relieved him of his duties at Vatican I. And I should embrace and say a mass composed by a Mason, when Pope Benedict XVI said it was a 'fabricated' liturgy, no wonder the Catholic Church is in such a terrible CRISIS.
A editor of the Pilot Newspaper of The Archdiocese of Boston e-mailed me after I complained about my council having Masons as members in leadership positions and having a annual breakfast "every other year at their temple". He stated that there is nothing wrong with a Catholic being a Mason. My Pastor agrees. There is something wrong here?
Anyone confused on the Freemason's and the Catholic Church need to Google it to learn how the KC's were started to refute the influence the Mason's anti-Christan views, which they wrought on the Church then and still.
Mr Voris violated his oaths as a Knight by publicly discussing the working of the order. He further had no clue what he was talking about when he made statements about the Knights not dismissing members who, he claimed, spoke out against church teaching on abortion etc, when the bishops took no action. The Knights can in no way censure anyone on their own accord, especially if said censure does not come from the Bishops.
The Knights are far better off without a 'more Catholic than the Pope' figure like Michael Voris. The same would seem to go for JTLiuzzia, above.
As a Knight I am proud of my brother Knights who worked in charity with the Masonic Lodge to help a man in need. Perhaps those of you who are opposed to this would also want Mother Theresa of Calcutta to give back any money that didn't come from sources that you personally approve of.
Nonsense! The ceremonials are the only part of the Knights that we are obliged under oath to keep secret. The Knights are a public organization. Anonymous is just another poorly informed Catholic who does not understand that discernment matters. There are many ways to raise money for the unfortunate. Indeed we are obliged to do so. However, I will never support in any way an organization that has the stated purpose of the destruction of the Catholic Church. Also as Catholic men we are forbidden to be members of the Masons. Their values of moral relativism and religious pluralism are antithetical to Catholic truth.
Our parish's Knights (Diocese of Dallas) allowed the Democrats in April 2012 to use their hall for their Ellis county convention -- the meeting that selects delegates to the Texas state convention which in turn selects delegates for the national convention. The Democrats aren't pro-life and they are pro-gay marriage. I don't know if there was a charge for the use or it was free. Notice of the meeting was published in the April 18th issue of our town's local paper the Midlothian Mirror (the parish is in Waxahachie -- another town). My father (a permanent deacon) called the K of C "clowns" for allowing the Democrats to use the hall and the Knights had the unmitigated gall to be upset with him. FYI the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have a page with Political Activity Guidelines for the church on their website --- www.usccb.org. It is under General Counsel. They have a paragraph about Catholic organizations and rental policy. I haven't researched the Knights' policies on such activities.
Nancy Pelosi makes similar arguments for cooperating with Planned Parenthood.
It would be nice if people stopped supporting the Knights altogether.
It's a fraudulent organization.
Maybe Carl Anderson will part with some of his $1,147,000 salary he gets for being the Supreme Knight. I quit the Knights a long time ago. Tancred said it best- it is a fraudulent organization. Fr. Mc Giveny would not be pleased with what they have become.
IF they need money they should ask there leader Satan for it, these people are a very sick bunch, They hate Jesus !!
This post is really bringing out the lunatics.
Sounds like sour grapes to me.
In short, Yes.
It sounds like there's no accountability in the leadership, and when they're caught red handed, they get defensive and make the usual counter-accusations, attempting to discredit the messenger.
All I can say is that if some wonder why their children leave the Church when they grow older, they really need look no further than themselves, because they probably didn't have it to give them in the first place.
Other than that, perhaps one is no better than a petty mercenary like Teddy Kennedy or some Bishops we might mention.
If this is the mentality of Catholics these days..boy am I glad I left the Catholic Church and became a member of my wife's Methodist Church.
This spewing of hate for the KofC as well the Freemasons, both of which want the same thing, to make good men better men, through fellowship and brotherly love.
They were trying to raise money for a worthy cause. I suppose only Catholics are deserving of charity. The hater here make me sick.
Wow, a lot of messed up anonymouses here. I'm not yet ready to throw out the baby with the bath water , but this is a serious issue. It is NOT more important to get along for a cause than to not associate with evil. Many of us get it, most especially our beloved Holy Father, but so sad how many miss it! They would gain their earthly life, but so easily lose their soul...
When an organization which was founded for the good of the souls of Catholic gentlemen engaged in business and trade, become instead a vehicle for the material cooperation with demonstrably evil organizations, is the time to say good night, Knights.
Why do people like you think you have the right to comment definitively on people's motivations?
If anyone is lacking charity, it's you.
I congratulate you on leaving, however. If only more Knights would do the same.
A word about Freemasonry. The record of the popes who have spoken out against Freemasonry in easty to find on the web. The lower level "initiates" or members of the "blue lodge" think they are just joining a fellowship club. They have no idea of the evil involved. The true Luciferian evil takes place for those who are 33rd degree or above. "Behind the Lodge Door" is a good book to read. Freemasonry is a Protestant thing.
The basic idea Here is a good summarizing quote "The Aquarian or kingdom age of Masonry is a concept of a new world political-spiritual order centered and controlled in the British Empire.
When one is made a Mason he is a physical and spiritual world citizen and his resulting faith in the salvation of the world through brotherhood becomes his "righteousness." To him the temple of humanity collectively attains its salvation based on the righteousness of man. The ultimate paradise to him is a marriage of heaven and earth. It is glorification of man and it is "imputed to him" for righteousness by Masonry."
Also, Freemasonry is closely connected with Judaism. Here is a most interesting article...
Robert Sungenis Catholic website posts Dr. Henry Makow’s article
http://www.catholicintl.com/articles/Catholics_Unveiled_Masonic_Jewish_Plot_in_1936.htm
Catholics Unveiled Masonic Jewish Plot in 1936
March 26, 2010
(Makow Note: This is further confirmation that mankind is in a major state of denial. We have been satanically possessed. Call this document "hate" or another "hoax," but the hate is all on the Masonic Jewish side, and burying our heads in the sand won't alter the truth. With the current child sex abuse controversy, this article begs the question, was Ratzinger one of the infiltrators assigned to discredit the church? )
Secret Jewish Plot Unveiled by the Catholic Gazette of England
Also read a book by Protestant dispensationalist, Dr. Stan Monteith titled "Brotherhood of Darkness.
Here is a quote from the excellent little book.
"Most Masons are honest, God-fearing men, so why did the Craft destroy our Judeo-Christian heritage? In chapter one I noted that Manly P. Hall was the most distinguished Masonic philosopher of modern times. In his book Lectures on Ancient Philosophy, he wrote:
Freemasonry is a fraternity within a fraternity—an outer organization concealing an inner brotherhood of the elect. . . it is necessary to establish the existence of these two separate yet interdependent orders, the one visible and the other invisible. The visible society is a splendid camaraderie of “free and accepted” men enjoined to devote themselves to ethical, educational, fraternal, patriotic, and humanitarian concerns. The invisible society is a secret and most august fraternity whose members are dedicated to the service of a mysterious arcanum arcanorum (a secret or mystery). In each generation, only a few are accepted into the inner sanctuary of the work. . .112 "
This little book toward the end tells you exactly what the arcanum arcanorum of Freemasonry is. I will spoil that for you here and tell you the secret is that Lucifer is god. Lucifer is the good god. Our God is the bad god.
The Catholic Church with the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit has always had it right regarding Freemasonry. Unfortunately the Church has become infiltrated by the "Brotherhood of Darkness" and is teetering on the brink by those liberal elements within it who have so distored the Truth Who is Chist and His Gospel of Salvation. But we know that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church.
at least once the K of C's disciplined a prochoice Knight for giving scandal: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069DE0VC
Catholics are supposed to want theirs and all mankind's salvation, not to "make good men better men." The Catholic religion is the only revealed path to Heaven; not some feel-good brotherly love organization. Being a nice person does not get one to Heaven; Christ does through His Holy Church.
I was a 4th Degree Knight. Supreme stood silent & did nothing when two Knights, who are N.Y. State Senators, voted for the sodomite-marriage bill jammed through by the CINO N.Y. Gov., & were bribed by the atheist mayor of N.Y., I tendered my resignation. Fr. McGivney would not have allowed that to happen. The K of C is out of control. Members have no say in who becomes the 'Supreme' or his hand picked board, all of whom are grossly over compensated. Just submit your dues or any other monies demanded & be seen & not heard. My council has many good men but they would not join me in resigning. Another point: When Cardinal Wuerl was Bishop of Pgh. he gave the masons land to build a temple on property owned by the Catholic Cemeteries. Now he's in D.C. strinking down a priest who refused to give communion to a Lesbian while he oversees giving communion to the likes of Pelosi, Kerry etc. ?????????
Grey Bear, you did right by resigning because staying would have changed NOTHING and it would have only added to the scandal. You are a good man. Those who did not join you are not.
The Knights have unfortunately morphed into a para-Masonic organization.
Masons were responsible for the French Revolution and its Declaration of the Rights of Man, which says that no one, of any true or false religion, "may be questioned about his opinions, [and the] same [for] religious [opinions], provided that their manifestation does not trouble the public order established by the law."
Pope Gregory XVI, in Mirari Vos, called it an "insanity" that
liberty of conscience and worship is each man's personal right, which ought to be legally proclaimed and asserted in every rightly constituted society; and that a right resides in the citizens to an absolute liberty, which should be restrained by no authority whether ecclesiastical or civil, whereby they may be able openly and publicly to manifest and declare any of their ideas whatever, either by word of mouth, by the press, or in any other way.
Bl. Pope Pius IX's Quanta Cura and Syllabus of errors make similar condemnations.
Now the Knights of Columbus supports the Masonic, Vatican II novelty
that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits. (Dignitatis Humanæ §2)
And both Knights and Masons can be nominally Catholic…
(Taken from the discussion here. See also this Fisheater's thread.)
I really don't think I've ever seen a bigger pile of delusional sickness than is embodied in that document about the "Father Pio" church.
I'm a Mason, and proud of it. Masonry contains NOTHING that conflicts with my Faith, and it's not only made me a better man, it's made me a better CHRISTIAN as well.
Masonry has no god - it only requires that a member believe in Him. What name you choose to call Him or how you go about worshipping him is ENTIRELY up to you!
This is as it should be, as Masonry is NOT a religion - it offers no plan of salvation nor does it have any other trappings of a religion.
There is no conflict between Masonry and Christianity - anyone who claims otherwise is speaking out of ignorance or malice.
The claim that "lucifer" is in *ANY* way a part of Masonry is a vile lie, part of a hoax that was admitted by the hoaxer (leo taxil) some two centuries ago.
The "lucifer" quotes often attributed to Albert Pike are taken completely out of context and thus made to say something he did not. By the same methods I could show that the bible says we are to go out and hang ourselves - something we all know it does not say.
People need to learn the truth - most importantly the truth that satan is the father of all liars, and he rejoices when he manages to divide men of faith and turn them against one-another.
Why people continue to do his bidding by spreading such vile lies against Masonry I will never understand - but I am confident that when I stand before God my conscience will be clear.
Respectfully,
DD
The KofC was FOUNDED as a "para masonic" organization - by Catholics who'd been ordered to sever their Masonic ties under threat of excommunication. They formed a purely Catholic Fraternity as a result.
Masonry is *NOT* the enemy of the Church. I'm a proud Mason and a prouder Christian, and have many Catholic Brothers.
Abolishing the prohibition would have happened long ago if Rome could figure out how to do so without calling into question the notion of "Papal infallibility."
The Enemy rejoices when men of faith are divided, and even moreso when they're set against one another.
Please stop doing his evil work for him!
As you yourself demonstrate in this post, the Masonic lodge is hostile to Catholicism and Catholics may not belong to the Lodge.
No honest man would swear their oaths.
"Masonry is *NOT* the enemy of the Church."
That is not what Pope Leo XIII wrote in his encyclical On Freemasonry and Naturalism (Humanum Genus). That's also not what all these popes' have written:
* Clement XII, Constitution "In Eminenti", 28 April, 1738;
* Benedict XIV, "Providas", 18 May, 1751;
* Pius VII, "Ecclesiam", 13 September, 1821;
* Leo XII, "Quo graviora", 13 March, 1825;
* Pius VIII, Encyclical "Traditi", 21 May, 1829;
* Gregory XVI, "Mirari", 15 August, 1832;
* Pius IX, Encyclical "Qui pluribus", 9 November, 1846;
* Pius IX, Allocution "Quibus quantisque malis", 20 April, 1849;
* Pius IX, Encyclical "Quanta cura", 8 December, 1864;
* Pius IX, Allocution "Multiplices inter", 25 September, 1865;
* Pius IX, Constitution "Apostolicæ Sedis", 12 October, 1869;
* Pius IX, Encyclical "Etsi multa", 21 November, 1873;
* Leo XIII, Encyclical "Humanum genus", 20 April, 1884;
* Leo XIII, "Præclara", 20 June, 1894;
* Leo XIII, "Annum ingressi", 18 March, 1902 (against Italian Freemasonry);
* Leo XIII, Encyclical "Etsí nos", 15 February, 1882;
* Leo XIII, "Ab Apostolici", 15 October, 1890.
"I'm a proud Mason and a prouder Christian, and have many Catholic Brothers."
You can't be Catholic and a Freemason. Then-Cardinal Ratzinger recently affirmed this in his "Declaration on Masonic Associations (Nov. 26, 1983)."
"Abolishing the prohibition would have happened long ago if Rome could figure out how to do so without calling into question the notion of 'Papal infallibility.'"
Masonry wants to subject the papacy to itself because Masonry holds that their "Church" is more universal than the Catholic Church Christ Himself founded.
"The Enemy rejoices when men of faith are divided, and even moreso when they're set against one another."
Faith is a great unifier among those who truly believe in the "one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church." So, if you think they are divided, it is only because you are judging by a naturalistic standard.
In other words, the heresy and the homosexual advocacy gets overlooked because he's a figure popular in the media?
All of this who contribute money to support a church dedicated to the homosexual rape of babies. May all you Mary loving, Papist, child abusing scum burn in hell. Meanwhile, I will continue to spit on self described Catholics. Perverts.
People who are as mindless and uncritical in their understanding of things like this all get what they deserve eventually.
As a Memebership Director of a local parish council I can tell you that Masons are NOT allowed as members in the Knights of Columbus.
In fact if we know that any direct family members of yours are masons we will make further inquiries and you would have to refute any membership in the Masons to be considered.
Whether or not you are a Mason is actually a question that I, as the council's membership director, must ask to interested candidates. You also have to be "Practical Catholic" and above age 18.
Ultimatly at my council our pastor has the ultimate say on who is allowed to join and who is not worthy. In addition, all clergy are allowed to sit in on any meeting or degree exemplification whenever they want to. Both Priest at my parish are Knights, but even if they weren't they could still attend any meeting or degree.
However, several years ago, we did have a guy get thru our inquiries and we later had to kick him out. I think its more o a matter of a lot of Catholics are ignorant of the Chruch's stance on Freemasonry, and just don't know that you are putting you soul in grave danger by joining the Masons.
The Venerable Fr. McGiveny founded The Knights of Columbus in 1882. At that time most Catholics were poor immigrants coming from countries like Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, etc. and when they got off the boat as they say they had a hard time getting good jobs and more often than not were distriminated against in most cities at the time.
If you were a Catholic man you were not allowed to join a workers union, or guild. You had no choice sometimes but to work the lowest of jobs and as you know working conditions and workers safety were not as safe as they are today and alot of fathers and husbands died early in the factories and mills and left widows and children with no one ot care for them.
Also at the time women didn't have the same rights. When the husband died they didn't even have the right to speak in court to take guardianship of her own children. Fr. McGiveny began by standing as guardian for these widows children of his local parish so that the family wouldn't be split up and sent to orphanages and state homes.
He later got the idea to found the Knights as a mutual benefits soceity to support the orphan and widows of dead Knights. Buying and granting life insurance is one way to "pool" risk and that is what he started way back in 1882.
Just so all of you know, owning the insurance that the Knights offer to their members is completely optional, but the benefits are great.
The Knights have been called, "the strong right arm of the Church" by Blessed John Paul II. We have been praised by Pope Benedict XVI as well. We have donated hundreds of millions, yes hundred of millions of excess insurance premiums and dividends to the Holy Father for him to give to his personal charities.
When the facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was found to be unstable and cracking a couple of decades ago. The Pope himself asked our order personally for the money to rebuild and strengthen the structure. We gave millions for the effort, of course.
We have raised millions for disabled children, aputees, and the disabled. Every year we donate millions to crisis pregnacy centers around this country with the ultimate goal of putting an END to abortion. Each year we gather and distribute millions of coats for needy children just before winter.
And the Tootsie roll drive, all that money goes straight to special needs children all over the country and indeed the world, just check out the Haitian amputee soccer team.
We are 1.8 million Knights in USA, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, Poland, The Phillipines, and on and on.
We are doing the Corporal Works of Mercy one person at a time.
So what have you done to help your parish and your community.
Maybe you should join the Knights.
I have frequently encountered Freemasons in the KoC and nobody does sh*t about it, if you'll excuse my profanity.
I'd never join a false knightly society.
Methodists are mostly fags and lesbians. Do you feel right at home there?
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