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Church Documents on Freemasonry

Regarding Membership in Freemasonry
(DDF, Nov 13, 2023)

In this "Note for the Audience with the Holy Father" at the request of a Philippine bishop, the Congregation, with approval of the Holy Father, reiterated that "active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden" and that a previous Vatican document from 1983 said it was a "grave sin."

Custodi di Quella Fede
(Pope Leo XIII, Dec 8, 1892)

Pope Leo XIII encyclical to the Italian people on the threat of Freemasonry.

Declaration on Masonic Associations
(CDF, Nov 26, 1983)

While the new Code of Canon Law (1983) does not mention Masonic associations expressly, the Church's "...negative judgment remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden."

Humanum Genus
(Pope Leo XIII, Apr 20, 1884)

Pope Leo XIII encyclical to the bishops on the threat of Freemasonry.

Church Documents on New Age & Occult

Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy
(USCCB, Mar 25, 2009)

From time to time questions have been raised about various alternative therapies that are often available in the United States. Bishops are sometimes asked, "What is the Church's position on such therapies?" The USCCB Committee on Doctrine has prepared this resource in order to assist bishops in their responses.

Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life
(DID, Feb 3, 2003)

A Christian Reflection on the ‘New Age,” Pontifical Council for Culture & Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The present study is concerned with the complex phenomenon of “New Age” which is influencing many aspects of contemporary culture. These reflections are offered primarily to...explain how the New Age movement differs from the Christian faith.

The Occult has Demonic Influence
(Bishop Montrose, ~1986-1999)

Pastoral letter by Most Rev. Donald W. Montrose, Bishop of Stockton, CA. "By the 'occult,' we are speaking of some supra-human or supernatural influence that is not from God. We commonly associate the occult with that which has demonic influence."

“Mediums” and the Catholic Faith
(Bishop Barres , 12 Aug 2020)

Pastoral letter by Most Rev. John O. Barres regarding mediums.  He writes, "while the desire to connect with the dead and find hope in loss may seem perfectly Christian, the practices condemned by our faith actually corrupt those good desires and lead us further away from God."

Church Documents on Additional Topics

Christian Meditation
(CDF, Oct 15, 1989)

Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of Christian Meditation. " Many Christians today have a keen desire to learn how to experience a deeper and authentic prayer life despite the not inconsiderable difficulties which modern culture places in the way of the need for silence, recollection and meditation."

Christian Faith and Demonology
(L’Osservatore Romano, Jul 10, 1975)

The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has commissioned an expert to prepare the following study, which the Congregation strongly recommends as a sure foundation for the reaffirmation of the teaching of the Magisterium on the theme: Christian Faith and Demonology.

Instruction on Prayers for Healing
(CDF, Sep 14, 2000)

The longing for happiness, deeply rooted in the human heart, has always been accompanied by a desire to be freed from illness and to be able to understand the meaning of sickness when it is experienced. 

Understanding Hauntings: Catholic Truth
(AMOE, date unknown)

The Office of Exorcism in the Archdiocese of Manila in the Philippines put out this short Catholic guide to understanding "hauntings" often reported in locations such as houses.

General Audience
(JPII, Aug 18, 1999)

Among the themes especially suggested to the People of God for their reflection in this third year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, we find conversion, which includes deliverance from evil

Exorcism Q & A
(USCCB, Jun 29, 2017)

The Committee on Divine Worship has approved dissemination of these basic questions and answers, in hopes that clear information is brought to bear on a topic that is often shrouded in mystery or misinformation.

Letter to Ordinaries Norms on Exorcism
(CDF, Sep 29, 1985 )

Letter to Ordinaries regarding norms on Exorcism.  Recent years have seen an increase in the number of prayer groups in the Church aimed at seeking deliverance from the influence of demons

Traditionis Custodes apply to Exorcism?
(AMOE, Aug 4, 2021)

The question raised is: does the Pope’s Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes apply to the other sacraments and rites besides the Eucharist including the Rite of Exorcism and the Book of Blessings?  The answer, based upon this letter from the Sacred Congregation, is no.

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