Catholic Church's Decisive Action Needed to Address Freemasonry Contradictions

In the heart of Ghana’s religious landscape, a troubling contradiction has emerged, pitting the nation’s prominent Catholic figures against the Church’s own teachings. Afenyo-Markin, a member of parliament for Efutu, has repeatedly used the public platform of the vetting process to push his agenda, equating the Knights and Ladies of St. John International, a para-military Catholic organization, as well as Knights and ladies of Marshall, with Freemasonry – a move that undermines the Church’s clear stance on the incompatibility of Catholicism and Masonic membership.

Afenyo-Markin’s actions during the vetting of John Settor Dumelo, the Deputy Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, who is also a Catholic, exemplify this worrying trend. The MP asked the nominee if he belonged to any of the “lodges” such as the Knights and Ladies of St. John International and Knights and Ladies of Marshall. This attempt to conflate these Catholic organizations with Freemasonry is not only factually incorrect but also undermines the Church’s clear teachings on the matter.
The Knights and Ladies of St. John International and the Knights and Ladies of Marshall are not Masonic lodges, but rather Catholic para-military organizations that operate under the authority and guidance of the Church. These groups are firmly rooted in Catholic doctrine and their activities are aligned with the Church’s principles and teachings. To equate them with Freemasonry, which the Church has deemed fundamentally incompatible with Catholicism, is a gross misrepresentation that must be corrected and debunked.
The Catholic Church’s position on Freemasonry is unequivocal. Canon Law 1374 explicitly prohibits Catholics from joining Masonic associations, as their philosophical principles are deemed fundamentally incompatible with Catholic doctrine, particularly regarding religious truth and salvation. Vatican declarations, including the 1983 statement by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, have further reinforced this stance, stating that Catholics who join Masonic lodges are in a state of grave sin and cannot receive Holy Communion.
Yet, in Ghana, several high-ranking Catholic politicians and business leaders continue to maintain dual membership, openly participating in both Catholic and Masonic ceremonies. This practice not only contradicts Church teaching but also creates confusion and disillusionment among the faithful, as young Catholics question why they must adhere to Church laws when prominent members appear to flout them with impunity.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference faces a critical juncture. The time has come for the Church hierarchy to demonstrate that its principles apply equally to all, regardless of social status or political influence. The credibility of the Church’s moral authority and the integrity of its doctrine are at stake.
Even though the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has often given statements to state clearly about such membership, the statements alone are not enough. The Church must back its words with decisive action and crack the whip against those who defy its teachings. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference must demonstrate that the Church’s principles apply universally, without exception. Decisive action, not mere rhetoric, is the only path forward to restore the Church’s credibility and maintain its role as a moral compass in Ghanaian society.
If this were the case with an ordinary Catholic, the Church would have swiftly taken action against such an individual. The Church’s Canon Law and teachings are clear – Catholicism and Freemasonry are incompatible, and Catholics who join Masonic lodges are in a state of grave sin. The Church would have no hesitation in excommunicating or imposing other disciplinary measures on a rank-and-file Catholic who defied this prohibition.
However, the situation in Ghana is markedly different. The prominent Catholic figures who continue to maintain dual membership in the Church and Masonic lodges have seemingly escaped the full force of the Church’s disciplinary mechanisms. This selective application of Church law creates a dangerous precedent, undermining the credibility of the Church’s moral authority and the integrity of its doctrine.
The ordinary faithful cannot help but question why the Church’s principles and laws do not apply equally to all, regardless of one’s social status or political influence. This perception of a “privileged class” within the Church, as described by theologian Dr. Elizabeth Akua Amanquandoh directly contradicts the basic Christian principles of equality and justice.
This selective application of Church law also poses three critical challenges that the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference must confront. Firstly, it undermines the Church’s teaching authority, as the faithful struggle to understand why they must adhere to certain doctrines when prominent members are allowed to disregard them. Secondly, it creates a dangerous precedent for the arbitrary application of Church law, opening the door to further erosion of the Church’s moral standing. Thirdly, it threatens to create a permanent rift between the ordinary faithful and the Church hierarchy, as the latter’s perceived reluctance to confront influential members suggests a deeper problem of institutional capture by political and economic elites.
The integrity of Catholic doctrine and the Church’s future influence in Ghanaian society may well depend on how this challenge is addressed. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference must demonstrate that the Church’s principles apply universally, without exception. Decisive action, not mere rhetoric, is the only path forward to restore the Church’s credibility and maintain its role as a moral compass in Ghanaian society.
As Cardinal Peter Turkson aptly stated, “The Church’s credibility rests not on the perfection of its members but on the consistency of its principles.” The time has come for the Catholic Church in Ghana to uphold this principle and take a firm stand against the contradictions posed by Freemasonry within its own ranks. Anything less would be a betrayal of the Church’s core values and a disservice to the faithful it is called to serve.
The Catholic Church in Ghana must recognize that its credibility and moral authority are inextricably linked to its willingness to apply its principles and teachings consistently, without fear or favor. By upholding the clear prohibition on Freemasonry, the Church can reaffirm its commitment to the truth and restore the faith of the ordinary faithful, who rightly expect their spiritual leaders to live by the same standards they preach.
Furthermore, the Church’s decisive action in this matter will send a powerful message to the wider Ghanaian society, demonstrating that the institution is not beholden to political or economic interests, but rather remains steadfast in its devotion to the Gospel and the pursuit of justice. This stance will bolster the Church’s role as a moral compass, guiding the nation towards a more just and equitable future.