Not only am I a baptized (but not a practicing) Roman Catholic, but I am a Mason as well. I find nothing in Masonic ritual that contradicts with my own personal and religious beliefs.
In regards to Cardinal Law's clarification, there are some errors of fact in the document and below are some updates:
- There are no higher degrees beyond that of a Master Mason. The Scottish Rite (which confers the 4th through the 32nd Degrees) expands upon the basic teachings learned in the first three degrees of Freemasonry, which is why it's sometimes called the 'University of Freemasonry'. (There is also the honorary title of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (32nd KCCH) and the honorary 33rd degree, which even fewer get.) The only place you'll find the first three degrees performed in the Scottish Rite style is in a small number of lodges in New Orleans -- the first three degrees are actually based on York Rite ritual.
- The York Rite is composed of three distinct bodies: the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons (conferring four degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, Royal Arch Mason), the Council of Royal and Select Masters (conferring two degrees: Royal Master and Select Master; a third optional degree, Super Excellent Master is conferred in a few jurisdictions) and the Knights Templar (composed of three degrees they call Orders: Order of the Red Cross, Order of Malta and the Order of the Temple). Membership in the Knights Templar is generally restricted to men of the Christian faith, because of the distinctively Christian aims of the Order, though some jurisdictions may loosely interpret this requirement and allow non-Christians to join the Order.
- Until the year 2000, one must have either attained the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite or the Order of the Temple to become eligible for membership in the Shrine. Currently, one must have been raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason before becoming eligible to join the Shrine. Many Shrine centers have made public their initiation ritual (with the exception of the portion containing the methods of recognition).
So I can't receive communion? No big deal... I rarely attend Catholic church services except for baptisms, weddings and funerals.
