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{"num_reviews":3,"add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""},{"service":"linkedin","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"id":2805,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"Read Why Catholics Cannot be Masons by John Salza, a Catholic book from TAN","category":["Books","Books/Topic/Catholic Culture"],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/2805/13480/why-catholics-cannot-be-masons__03810.1744044768.jpg?c=1","alt":" Why Catholics Cannot be Masons "},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https://tanbooks.com/wishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2805","custom_fields":[{"id":"52897","name":"Author","value":"John Salza"},{"id":"52898","name":"Imprint","value":"TAN Books"},{"id":"52900","name":"Pages","value":"96"},{"id":"52901","name":"Publication Date","value":"1/1/2009"},{"id":"52902","name":"Product Format","value":"Paperbound"},{"id":"66343","name":"atc-product","value":"1719"},{"id":"66344","name":"atc-product","value":"3193"},{"id":"66346","name":"atc-product","value":"3761"},{"id":"66347","name":"cpu-product","value":"1221"},{"id":"66348","name":"cpu-product","value":"4232"},{"id":"66349","name":"cpu-product","value":"3002"}],"sku":"2198","backorder_availability_prompt":"More available for backorder","url":"https://tanbooks.com/products/books/why-catholics-cannot-be-masons/","description":"<style>\n#tan-product-description h2,\n#tan-product-description h3 {\n font-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif !important;\n color: #870000 !important;\n}\n</style>\n<section id=\"tan-product-description\" style=\"font-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif; color: #262626;\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size: 1.7rem; margin-bottom: 1rem;\">Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons</h2>\n<p style=\"margin: .25rem 0; font-size: .9rem; color: #555;\">By John Salza &middot; Published by TAN Books</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Overview</h3>\n<p>Many well-meaning Catholic men have been drawn into Freemasonry without fully understanding its religious claims and spiritual implications. In <em>Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons</em>, Catholic attorney and former 32nd degree Mason John Salza provides a direct and carefully documented explanation of why membership in Freemasonry, including affiliated organizations such as the Shriners, is incompatible with the Catholic Faith.</p>\n<p>Writing specifically for Catholics, Salza examines Masonic doctrines, rituals, oaths, historical development, and theological claims. He demonstrates why the Church has consistently condemned Freemasonry and continues to do so, despite modern assertions to the contrary. Drawing from his personal experience and extensive research, Salza exposes the religious foundations of Masonry and explains why they conflict with Christian revelation and Catholic doctrine.</p>\n<p>Concise yet comprehensive, this book equips readers with clarity, documentation, and pastoral guidance on a subject often misunderstood or minimized.</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">What You Will Learn</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0; padding-left: 1.25rem;\">\n<li>Why the Catholic Church has consistently condemned Freemasonry</li>\n<li>The identity and theological claims surrounding the &ldquo;god&rdquo; of Freemasonry</li>\n<li>How Freemasonry interprets Scripture and the Holy Bible</li>\n<li>The meaning of Masonic oaths, rituals, and self-imposed curses</li>\n<li>How Catholics involved in Freemasonry can formally withdraw and return to full communion</li>\n</ul>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">From the Book</h3>\n<blockquote style=\"font-style: italic; border-left: 4px solid #E2E2E2; background: #fafafa; padding: 1rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1rem 0;\">Masonry presents itself as compatible with Christianity, yet its religious principles, oaths, and doctrines reveal a system fundamentally opposed to the Catholic Faith.</blockquote>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Intended Audience</h3>\n<p>This book is written for Catholics seeking clarity about the Church&rsquo;s teaching on Freemasonry. It is particularly valuable for men discerning membership, Catholics who have family members involved in Masonry, clergy offering pastoral guidance, and apologetics-minded readers who desire well-documented answers.</p>\n<p>It is not a sensational treatment but a sober theological and historical examination grounded in Church teaching and authoritative sources.</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">FAQs</h3>\n<p><strong>Does the Church still condemn Freemasonry today?</strong><br />Yes. The Church&rsquo;s prohibition against membership in Freemasonry remains in force, and Catholics who knowingly join place themselves in a state of grave sin.</p>\n<p><strong>Are Catholics automatically excommunicated for joining?</strong><br />While the 1983 Code of Canon Law does not explicitly name Freemasonry, official clarifications from the Holy See affirm that membership is gravely sinful and bars one from receiving Holy Communion.</p>\n<p><strong>Can a Catholic leave Freemasonry and return to the Church?</strong><br />Yes. The book explains the necessary steps for formally withdrawing and seeking reconciliation through the Sacrament of Confession.</p>\n<div style=\"background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; padding: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem;\">Key Themes</h3>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 1.25rem; margin: 0;\">\n<li>Doctrinal incompatibility between Freemasonry and Catholicism</li>\n<li>Historical papal condemnations of Masonic principles</li>\n<li>Theological analysis of Masonic rituals and oaths</li>\n<li>Pastoral guidance for Catholics seeking clarity or reconciliation</li>\n<li>Apologetics rooted in documented sources</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</section>","show_backorder_message":true,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$12.95","value":12.95,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"Why Catholics Cannot be Masons","default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"Expected in 2 days","height":"8.50","cart_url":"https://tanbooks.com/cart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":true,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":true,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":true,"show_quantity_on_backorder":true,"mpn":null,"upc":"9780895558817","options":[{"id":4753,"type":"Configurable_PickList_Set","display_name":"Format","required":true,"state":"variant_option","partial":"set-rectangle","condition":true,"values":[{"id":9352,"label":"Paperbound","selected":true,"data":"Paperbound"},{"id":9353,"label":"eBook","selected":false,"data":"eBook"}]}],"related_products":[{"id":1803,"sku":"TE9708","name":"Why Catholics Cannot be Masons (eBook)","url":"https://tanbooks.com/products/books/why-catholics-cannot-be-masons-ebook/","availability":"","rating":0,"brand":null,"category":["Books","eBooks"],"summary":"Many good Catholic men have been deceived into becoming Masons. 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Couldn&#039;t put the book down. A complete account of what this secretive cult is all about. Educates one about what lies below their charities and their weird initiation into an organization founded on legends just as weird. Mr. Salza is to be commended on this very informative work, for those who believe in Jesus Christ.","date":"Jun 12th 2025"},{"name":"John","rating":"5","title":"Highly Recommend","text":"I have read this book cover to cover more than once. It is an easy read with all the information that you would want to know about this topic, to include a glossary and notes citing all of his sources. If you are Catholic or know someone who is and belongs to a Masonic organization you must get this book for them. I can tell you that after spending many years in a Masonic organization I had know idea what the Catholic Church taught on this topic. However, if I had taken the time to do just a little research I would have known better. When I would ask Masons who were Catholic about being a member of the Masons and being Catholic and how do you reconcile that membership with the Church I would almost always get a vague answer about that was a long time ago everything is fine you can be a member. That could not be further from the truth as you will learn from this book! John Salza is the real deal and he knows this issue inside and out because he was a 32nd degree Mason and and now brings this information to all of us.\n\nHere is a quote from then Cardinal Ratzinger on 26 November 1983. &quot;Therefore the Church;s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enrol in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.&quot; Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, \n26 November 1983. Joseph Card. RATZINGER Prefect","date":"May 24th 2023"},{"name":"Mary K.","rating":"5","title":"Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons","text":"Easy to read and very clearly written. Uncovers the deceptions that are presented with in Freemasons and also refers directly to the Bible in many places throughout the book. Brings up Pope Leo the XIII and Pope Gregory XVI ;s points on the matter such as the &quot;Indifferentism&quot; and the Church. I have read other books on this matter and if you just want a clear simple less than 100 pages to give you the basics of this that is clear and backed up by good reasoning this is the book for you. If you are looking for a more in depth book on Free masons and the Catholic church I would still read this 1st as it gave me a really good basic understanding before reading a much deeper more involved book. I plan to buy more of these books because all my extra copies have been given away at this time and I want to have them to give to people that it could really help.","date":"May 24th 2023"}]},"bulk_discount_rates":[],"meta_keywords":"Freemasonry,Naturalistic Deistic Religion,Church Doctrine","show_quantity_input":true,"title":"Why Catholics Cannot be Masons","gift_wrapping_available":false,"min_purchase_quantity":0,"customizations":[],"images":[{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/2805/13480/why-catholics-cannot-be-masons__03810.1744044768.jpg?c=1","alt":" Why Catholics Cannot be Masons "}],"width":"5.50"}

Why Catholics Cannot be Masons

$12.95
(3 reviews) Write a Review
SKU:
2198
ISBN:
9780895558817
["Books","Books/Topic/Catholic Culture"]

Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons

By John Salza · Published by TAN Books

Overview

Many well-meaning Catholic men have been drawn into Freemasonry without fully understanding its religious claims and spiritual implications. In Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons, Catholic attorney and former 32nd degree Mason John Salza provides a direct and carefully documented explanation of why membership in Freemasonry, including affiliated organizations such as the Shriners, is incompatible with the Catholic Faith.

Writing specifically for Catholics, Salza examines Masonic doctrines, rituals, oaths, historical development, and theological claims. He demonstrates why the Church has consistently condemned Freemasonry and continues to do so, despite modern assertions to the contrary. Drawing from his personal experience and extensive research, Salza exposes the religious foundations of Masonry and explains why they conflict with Christian revelation and Catholic doctrine.

Concise yet comprehensive, this book equips readers with clarity, documentation, and pastoral guidance on a subject often misunderstood or minimized.

What You Will Learn

  • Why the Catholic Church has consistently condemned Freemasonry
  • The identity and theological claims surrounding the “god” of Freemasonry
  • How Freemasonry interprets Scripture and the Holy Bible
  • The meaning of Masonic oaths, rituals, and self-imposed curses
  • How Catholics involved in Freemasonry can formally withdraw and return to full communion

From the Book

Masonry presents itself as compatible with Christianity, yet its religious principles, oaths, and doctrines reveal a system fundamentally opposed to the Catholic Faith.

Intended Audience

This book is written for Catholics seeking clarity about the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry. It is particularly valuable for men discerning membership, Catholics who have family members involved in Masonry, clergy offering pastoral guidance, and apologetics-minded readers who desire well-documented answers.

It is not a sensational treatment but a sober theological and historical examination grounded in Church teaching and authoritative sources.

FAQs

Does the Church still condemn Freemasonry today?
Yes. The Church’s prohibition against membership in Freemasonry remains in force, and Catholics who knowingly join place themselves in a state of grave sin.

Are Catholics automatically excommunicated for joining?
While the 1983 Code of Canon Law does not explicitly name Freemasonry, official clarifications from the Holy See affirm that membership is gravely sinful and bars one from receiving Holy Communion.

Can a Catholic leave Freemasonry and return to the Church?
Yes. The book explains the necessary steps for formally withdrawing and seeking reconciliation through the Sacrament of Confession.

Key Themes

  • Doctrinal incompatibility between Freemasonry and Catholicism
  • Historical papal condemnations of Masonic principles
  • Theological analysis of Masonic rituals and oaths
  • Pastoral guidance for Catholics seeking clarity or reconciliation
  • Apologetics rooted in documented sources
Author:
John Salza
Imprint:
TAN Books
Pages:
96
Publication Date:
1/1/2009
Product Format:
Paperbound
Height:
8.50
Width:
5.50

3 Reviews

  • 5
    Catholic Position on Masonry

    Posted by Carol Hoffman on Jun 12th 2025

    Absolutely informative and interesting from an author who experienced Masonry firsthand. Couldn…

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  • 5
    Highly Recommend

    Posted by John on May 24th 2023

    I have read this book cover to cover more than once. It is an easy read with all the information tha…

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  • 5
    Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons

    Posted by Mary K. on May 24th 2023

    Easy to read and very clearly written. Uncovers the deceptions that are presented with in Freemasons…

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