What exactly is it about Freemasonry that the Catholic church finds objectionable?

The Catholic Church has historically held negative views and objections to Freemasonry primarily due to the supposed "secretive nature" of the fraternity (this is a common objection shared by many dictators, mass murderers, religious states, fascists, marxists, communists, and other left-leaning hate groups. Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Hussein, Gaddafi, Castro, Kim Jong Il, Lenin, Mao Zedong, Hirohito, and Mussolini are some of the standout Freemason haters), the secularism of the social fraternity, and for purely political reasons.

Popes have issued several papal bulls and condemnations of the fraternity over time ("In Eminenti," "Humanum Genus," and "Providas Romanorum" are a few of the standout documents issued by the Bishops of Rome), and for a while it was against Canon Law to join the fraternity.

But all that changed after the Second Vatican Council back in 1983.

What had been the prohibition against a Catholic joining Freemasonry, Canon 2335 ("Affiliation With Masonic or Similar Societies. Those who join a Masonic sect or other societies of the same sort, which plot against the Church or against legitimate civil authority, incur ipso facto an excommunication simply reserved to the Holy See.”) was removed. In its place, Canon 1374 clearly stated that there was no longer a prohibition against joining Freemasonry ("A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict."), since Freemasonry isn't an association and doesn't plot against the Church).

And that should have been the end of it.

But all of the Kristian Karen Klub members out there had questions. They pressured the Church to define why the prohibition was removed, demanding that the Church clarify its position on Catholic men joining Freemasonry.

The Church didn't answer the question; it was deferred to the Office of the Inquisition (now renamed the more palatable - if convoluted - "Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith"). And an OPINION letter was penned stating - in part: "…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 enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion…" by then-cardinal Ratzinger.

Now, it's important to recognize that only the POPE can issue bulls, change Canon Law, or do pretty much any damned thing he wants to; he's the Bishop of Rome.

The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith doesn't make law. It doesn't carry the cachet, weight, or papal bull-issuing power of the Pope. Pretty much the sole purpose of this office is to defend the Church from heresy. That's it.

Why is it important to note the author of the opinion letter issued by then-cardinal Ratzinger? Because he became Pope Benedict XVI, and at no time during his tenure as Pope did he make ANY attempt to change Canon law or issue a Papal Bull to prohibit Catholics from joining Masonic associations.

TL;DR: Currently, the Catholic Church has no law on the books and has issued no papal bull, condemnation, or written objection to Freemasonry. And it's been that way for more than 40 years.

To correct some just idiotic misconceptions:

• The Catholic Church doesn't object to the nonsensical "syncretism" in Freemasonry. The Church - like virtually every human with more than a couple of brain cells to rub together - recognizes that there's no such thing in Freemasonry.
• The Catholic Church knows that there's no such thing as any nonsensical "all religions are treated as equal" B.S. in Freemasonry. Freemasonry is a social fraternity, not a religion. All MEN are treated as equals. What their religions are is entirely irrelevant.
• The idiotic statement that the "unique status of Jesus Christ as 'the Light of the World'" isn't implicitly denied. It's not affirmed, either. Why? Because Freemasonry is a SOCIAL FRATERNITY not a religion.
• There was no "full examination" of any nonsensical "Freemasonic rituals" by the Vatican at the request of any "German Freemasons.
• Freemasonry isn't a secret society.
• Freemasonry has never been "bent on the destruction of the Catholic Church."
• There is no "philosophical/religious basis" in Freemasonry.
• Nothing in Freemasonry is incompatible with Catholicism.
• There is no idiotic "bloodcurdling oaths Freemasons are supposed to make during the initiation ceremonies, calling down punishments upon themselves, should they divulge Masonic secrets" in Freemasonry.
• Freemasonry does NOT encourage any imaginary "mutual advancement, to the detriment of well-qualified non-members."
• There is no "ticket to promotion" in law enforcement or legal circles.
• Pedophilia? That's the wheelhouse of the Church, not Freemasonry.
• Freemasonry isn't "arguably" not a religion, there - simply - is no argument: Freemasonry is a social fraternity, not a religion, not a substitute for a religion.
• Freemasonry isn't "involved in Mafia-like activity." Never has been, never will be.
• The Church has not "reiterated the ban on Freemasonry" - not recently, not in 40 years.
• There are no "teachings" in Freemasonry - and certainly nothing that is in any way, shape, or form "incompatible with Catholicism."
• "Oddfellows" isn't a secret society; it's a social fraternity.
• "Rosicrucians" aren't a secret society.
• There was no "ban on Freemasonry" in Canon Law.
• Pope John Paul II didn't "reiterate" any imaginary "ban on Freemasonry in 1983.
• Freemasonry doesn't have "a religious-philosophical attitude of indifference." That's idiotic nonsense and shows a distinct ignorance of the topics of both religion and fraternalism.
• There is no moronic "naturalistic dogma" in Freemasonry.
• Nothing in Freemasonry is "incompatible with the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation." Why? Because Freemasonry is a SOCIAL FRATERNITY not a RELIGION.
• There is no "lodge of the Great Architect" in Freemasonry.
• There is no "Masonic oath" for the Nicene Creed to be "irreconcilable" with. It's utter stupidity to try to link an imaginary thing with a religious thing.
• It is not in any way, shape, or form any "great conflict" for a Catholic to be a Freemason.
• It is not in any way, shape, or form "forbidden" for a Catholic to be a Freemason.
• No man who is a member of the fraternity and who is a Catholic is "in a state of mortal sin and unable to receive Holy Communion."
• Freemasonry is not "indeed a kind of religion unto itself." It's a SOCIAL FRATERNITY.
• There is no "practice of Freemasonry."
• There are no religious "temples, altars, a moral code, worship services, vestments, feast days, a hierarchy of leadership, initiation and burial rites, and promises of eternal reward and punishment" in Freemasonry. PERIOD.

It is unfortunate that some people are ignorant of Catholicism and Freemasonry but decide to display that ignorance in public as if stupidity is something to be proud of.

It's not.

If you have questions about Freemasonry, it's best to ask an ACTUAL Freemason. If you have questions about Catholicism, it's best to ask an ACTUAL Catholic.

I'm a Catholic, a Chaplain, and a Freemason.