An earnest believer of the Catholic faith cannot be numbered among Freemasons, the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has categorically stated.

“You can’t be a true Catholic and a Freemason at the same time,” a statement signed by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, asserted.

“The Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association 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 enrol in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion,” the Archbishop referenced a 1983 document, Declaration on Masonic Associations, issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

On matters of non-negotiable doctrines, “Masonic principles denigrate Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, placing Him on the same level as Buddha, Krishna, Confucius, and others. Prayers through Christ are omitted and instead addressed to the ‘Great Architect of the Universe’,” Most Rev Bonaventure Kwofie underlined.

He admonished: “Freemasonry wants the destruction of Christianity, and no one can claim to be a proud Catholic and a Freemason.”

See the entire statement below:

Christians being freemasons became a hot topic following the appearance of the Minister-designate for Youth Development & Empowerment George Opare-Addo (Pablo) before Parliament's Appointments Committee.

A question by Alexander Afenyo-Markin (MP) on the said committee led Pablo to note he was a “baptised and confirmed” Presbytarian who was, however, lax in the practice of the faith. Additionally, he proclaimed he was a Freemason member whose mother was “Amity” and whose faith in times of trouble was placed firmly in “the Architect of the Universe”.

Furthermore, images showing Mr Afenyo-Markin, an adherent of freemasonry, taking communion from a Catholic priest have gone viral on social media.