A leader of the Freemason fraternity in Ghana has reacted to a letter issued by a bishop of the Catholic Church, indicating that the Catholic faith is incompatible with Freemasonry.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master North of the Grand Lodge of Ghana, John Edusei, in a letter addressed to Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, indicated that the conclusion drawn by the bishop was wrong.
He said that the bishop drew the conclusion relying on a book by a Freemason, John Salza, titled “Why Catholics Cannot Be,” which he disagrees with.
He made the point that Salza, being a Freemason, does not make him an authority who can draw such conclusions.
“First, it is important to clarify that Salza being a 32° Freemason does not necessarily mean he is highly learned in Freemasonry. Many misunderstand the numbering of degrees, particularly in the Scottish Rite, where the 32° is not a rank of authority or scholarship, but simply a continuation of additional teachings within that Masonic system. Attaining this degree does not mean one has a deep or authoritative understanding of Freemasonry as a whole.
“In fact, many well-studied Masonic scholars have spent decades analysing Freemasonry without holding such degrees, and conversely, many holders of high degrees do not engage in rigorous study of Masonic history or philosophy,” Edusei argued.
John Edusei, who stated in the letter, which was sighted by GhanaWeb, that he was a Catholic himself, also refutes the assertion of the bishop that Freemasonry is a religion.
He indicated that the fraternity cannot be a religion because it does not engage in worship as religious groups like the church do.
“The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), which influences many Masonic jurisdictions, including the traditions we inherited in Ghana, states explicitly: ‘Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. There is no separate Masonic god, and there is no separate proper name for a deity in Freemasonry.’
“This official position aligns with my experience in Freemasonry, where our meetings do not involve worship but rather focus on moral instruction, self-improvement, and community service. However, I must emphasise that these are my personal reflections and do not represent the official stance of any Grand Lodge, including the Grand Lodge of Ghana,” the Assistant Provincial Grand Master North wrote.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master North concluded his letter by making the point that he was not trying to challenge the teachings of the church.
He said that he only wants to know how his Catholic faith intertwines with his Masonic journey.
“I recognise the church’s concerns and respect its authority on doctrinal matters. However, my intention has simply been to clarify my own understanding of Freemasonry in light of my Catholic faith and to address some misconceptions that I believe do not reflect the reality of my Masonic experience,” he added.
Background:
The controversy surrounding Freemasonry surfaced during the vetting of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo.
During the vetting process, Afenyo-Markin raised questions about Opare Addo’s affiliation with the Freemasons.
In response, Opare Addo openly acknowledged his membership and the principles he has embraced through the organisation.
The admission sparked mixed reactions, with the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra reiterating its longstanding position that Catholics should not associate with Freemasonry.
In reaction to this, Afenyo-Markin stated that he had not received any official communication from the church regarding his membership in the Freemason fraternity.
“My Archbishop Palmer-Buckle has not written any letter to me,” Afenyo-Markin said in an interview on January 29, 2025, adding, “I have been seeing letters flying around, but nobody has written to me personally.”
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to his Catholic faith, expressing his willingness to have a candid discussion with his church on the matter.
He also acknowledged that many Catholics who are Freemasons are hesitant to discuss their membership openly.
Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament of the Effutu Constituency, further stated that should the church take an official stance on his membership, he would decide whether to remain in the Catholic Church or move to the Anglican Church.
“If I receive a delegation of my church leaders for a conversation, we will have a good discussion. If it gets to a point where the Church takes a position and says, ‘Kwamina, we really disagree with you,’ then it would be for me to decide whether I would still remain a Catholic or move to the Anglican Church and become an Anglican,” he added.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference then issued a response to Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin’s claim that he is both a Freemason and a Catholic, reiterating that the Catholic Church’s teachings strictly prohibit such an association.
The statement emphasised that the church views Freemasonry as a religion in itself, with doctrines that are irreconcilable with Christian teachings, stressing that Catholics who join the Freemason fraternity commit a grave sin and should not receive Holy Communion.
Read the full statement of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference below:
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