By Sarah Baafi
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has reiterated the Church’s firm prohibition against Freemasonry, declaring that Catholics cannot be members of the organization. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, in a statement said, “You can’t be a true Catholic and a Freemason at the same time.” He emphasized that the Church’s position on Freemasonry remains unchanged and rooted in its teachings.
Archbishop Kwofie referenced the 1983 declaration by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which stated that “Masonic principles are irreconciliable with the doctrine of the Church” and that Catholics who join Masonic associations are in “a state of grave sin” and cannot receive Holy Communion. He quoted directly from the document, saying, “The Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconciliable with the doctrine of the Church.”
The Archbishop expressed concern over growing interest in Freemasonry, particularly among young Catholics. He stressed that Freemasonry undermines Christian beliefs by equating Jesus Christ with other religious figures such as Buddha and Krishna and by addressing prayers to the “Great Architect of the Universe” instead of through Christ. “Freemasonry wants the destruction of Christianity,” he said, urging Catholics to remain steadfast in their faith.
Additionally, Archbishop Kwofie criticized Freemasonry for placing the Bible on equal footing with other religious texts. He described this practice as “absolutely preposterous” and reminded Catholics of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters.” He called on all Catholics to reject any affiliation with Freemasonry and to remain faithful to the Church’s teachings.
The statement comes in the wake of recent public discussions about Freemasonry in Ghana, including admissions by public figures such as the Minister for Youth Development, George Opare Addo, and the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who have identified themselves as Freemasons. The Church’s statement serves to clarify its position in light of these developments.
The Catholic Church has historically opposed Freemasonry since the early 18th century, citing fundamental incompatibilities between Masonic principles and Catholic doctrine. This opposition has been consistently upheld by various papal declarations and remains in effect today.
