Former US President Biden Joins Masonic Lodge, Sparks Catholic Church Concerns
US President Joe Biden, who identifies as Catholic, has joined an African-American Masonic lodge, becoming a ‘Master Mason’. The Vatican’s stance on Freemasonry is unfavorable, potentially leading to excommunication for Catholics who join.
Biden was initiated into the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in South Carolina just before leaving office. The lodge granted him “Master Mason membership with full honors,” reflecting his dedication to personal growth, service, and pursuit of knowledge.
Freemasonry emerged in Britain during the early 1700s, attracting philosophers, dissidents, and influential figures. Fourteen US presidents, including George Washington, were Freemasons. Prince Hall Masonry, a historically black sect founded by a freed slave in 1775, initiated Biden.
Biden’s membership contrasts with his Catholic faith. Pope Clement XII initially forbade Catholics from practicing Freemasonry in 1738. While the Vatican softened its stance in 1983, it still considers such organizations plotting against the Church and threatens excommunication for Catholics who join.
Throughout his political career, Biden has taken positions that diverge from Catholic teaching. In 2021, US bishops drafted a document that would have restricted his access to Holy Communion due to these discrepancies.