by MW Oscar V. Bunyi
(Excerpts of the speech delivered during the PMAAI's 16th Annual Convention held at Cebu Plaza in Cebu City on July 27-28, 2000)

A lot of members of the Craft and appendant bodies have asked the leadership of our Grand Lodge to respond to the renewed vilification campaign against Freemasonry waged by certain churches, particularly the majority church, the Roman Catholic.

Since this recurrent anti-Masonic campaign is a truly disturbing cause for concern, and since my administration theme is to bring the Masonic Light into brighter and clearer perception by our respective communities in this 3rd millennium, I decided to talk on Masonry vis-à-vis anti-Masonry during this occasion.

Most Worshipful Reynato S. Puno, one of our most revered Past Grand Masters, has suggested that we should deal with attacks from the various religions, specially the Roman Catholic, with love and with an understanding of the greatest latitude.

Masonry, after all, holds no contention against any religion, and we Masons are ardent advocates of freedom of religion. Masonry will remain as strong as before because its teachings are taken mainly from the universal teachings of the major religions of the world.

Besides, we Masons are committed to the dispersal of harmony among men. Therefore, we have to build bridges of understanding with our fellowmen, including our critics and detractors.

The criticisms against our venerable Institution are not new; they are merely recycled, premised on age-old misconceptions about Masonry - misconceptions which arose when organized ignorance ruled the hearts and minds of men.

But this age being driven by information and technology, superstitions and ignorance no longer hold sway over our countrymen; they can now easily discriminate between truth and falsehood.

And the truth is, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, or CBCP for short, has cleared Philippine Masonry from the misconceptions after a thorough examination of our philosophy and practices.

To understand this last statement, we must briefly review the relationship between Philippine Masonry and the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Because Canon No. 2335 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law provides that "Those who join a Masonic or other sect and conspire against the Church and lawful civil authority are subject to the major canonical penalty." This major canonical penalty is excommunication, meaning being barred from receiving the sacraments and from standing as sponsor in baptismal and nuptial ceremonies.

In the 1950s, leaders of our Grand Lodge, specifically Most Worshipful Brothers William Quasha, Raymond Wilmarth and Teodoro Kalaw, Jr., visited and corresponded with the Vatican, and they dialogued with a panel of Catholic experts, which subsequently recommended to the CBCP that Canon No. 2335 should not apply to all Catholics "who in the judgment of their Local Ordinaries are members in good faith of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines" inasmuch as they do not militate against the Church.

The CBCP subjected our landmarks, laws, rules and rituals to microscopic examination. After two years of examination, it filed a petition to the Holy See endorsing the recommendation of the panel of Catholic experts.

The Masonic leaders who dialogued with the panel of Catholic experts did their job well. They were able to convince the panel of Catholic experts that:

1. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult. But it does not advocate any sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers; by praying, Masons reaffirm their dependence on God and seek His guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed in Masonic meetings.

2. Freemasonry teaches its members that there is one God, and that people employ different ways to seek, and to express what they know of, God. It believes in religious freedom and holds that the relationship between the individual and God is personal, private and sacred.

3. Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion since it has no dogma or theology, nor does it wish to enforce religious orthodoxy. Besides, it offers no sacraments. Freemasonry does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are not concerned with the means of salvation, but rather, with modes of recognition.

4. Freemasonry is not indifferent toward religion. Without interfering with religious practice, it urges its members to actively participate in the affairs of their respective religions. The moral teachings of Freemasonry are, indeed, acceptable to all religions.

The panel of Catholic experts, as well as the CBCP, came to be convinced that Freemasonry is not anti-religion, and that it is specially not against the Catholic Church since the best members of Philippine Masonry are members of the Catholic religion.

In 1983, a new code of Canon Law was promulgated, providing, among other things, that "Whoever accepts membership in an association hostile to the Church shall be liable to a just penalty; he who promotes or directs such an association shall be punished with an interdict…"

The term Masonry or Masonic is altogether dropped from the new Code. Masons are no longer subject to automatic excommunication. But, of course, Masons can still be subjected to certain penalties once it is proven beyond doubt that they have become members of a Lodge that is truly hostile to the Church.

The new Code of Canon Law accelerated the new wind of ecumenism blowing from the Vatican. Freemasonry in the Philippines was benefited by the warming up of the relationship of our Grand Lodge with the Catholic Church. Church dignitaries graced Masonic gatherings.

His Eminence, Julio Cardinal Rosales, for instance, delivered an address before an assembly of Masons. He said in part, and I quote: "To say… that the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines are subversive and seditious is, of course, absurd. The members of this association are distinguished Filipinos who have always been known for their law-abiding spirit. They have never been run after by the Philippine government for trying to overthrow the republic. In fact, very many hold high government positions, bolstering and strengthening the solidity of the nation.

"To say, likewise, that the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines have no aim but that of attacking and annihilating, if possible, the Catholic Church - a thing bewailed by Pope Leo XIII in his Encyclical HUMANUM GENUS - is, I believe, neither true now. For, indeed, who is the Mason today maliciously attacking the Catholic Church? What one sees instead is the effort of Freemasonry towards friendship, initiating Masonic-Catholic dialogue, creating joint social projects, inviting even the highest Catholic leaders to its celebrations. "

Again Leo XIII censured Freemasonry for naturalism, in its religious beliefs. Is this valid, too, for the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines?

"There are religious truths which every Mason is bound to believe, namely, the existence of God, the necessity for a good moral life, the immortality of the soul, and reward for the good and punishment for the bad in an after-life.

"Interpreted in one way, these truths can, indeed, form that naturalism which Pope Leo lamented in his Encyclical. For there had, in fact, been Freemasons in the past who said that in all religious beliefs the above-mentioned truths are the only truths of religion worth caring for; for these are the truths in which all men agree. Freemasonry is to be esteemed and praised for teaching its members to refrain from quarreling among themselves about their particular beliefs. Freemasonry holds those beliefs of which there is no dispute. Why respect religions when what they do is simply to propose truths over which everybody quarrels and disputes? This kind of interpretation is, of course, unaccepted to Catholicism; for, among other things, it destroys revelation and the other supernatural truths that go with it."

Interpreted in another way, however, these truths could hold no obstacle for mutual understanding. For, in the first place, there is really nothing wrong in believing in the existence of God, good moral life, the immortality of the soul, the reward or punishment after death. It is good - nay, obligatory - to believe those things. The error lies in the saying that they are "the only truths worth believing…".

Of course, we Masons do believe in revelation. In fact, we consider the Volume of the Sacred Law as the rule and guide in life, as the unerring standard of truth and justice.

The Volume of the Sacred Law is, as we all know very well, the Bible for us Christians, the Koran for our Muslim brothers, and the book held holy by brethren of other faiths.

Unfortunately, the warm relationship between Philippine Masonry and the Catholic Church in this country began to grow cold because since 1983, Cardinal Joseph Ratziner, Prefect for the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has issued news releases that Catholics who join Masonry commit "serous sin" and may not receive the Eucharist.

Then in 1990 the CBCP issued certain guidelines defining the relationship of the Church with the Craft.

In 1991, the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) issued a decree on Freemasonry. Nos. 230 and 233, Part II, read as follows:

"We want to acknowledge here welcome change in the attitude of many masons. We are also cognizant of many good things they have done and continue to do for their fellow human beings. "… we recognize the need for appropriate pastoral guidelines. Bishops and priests will exercise great pastoral prudence and charity in this regard, so that with God's grace they may 'Unite all in Christ.'"

Many bishops and priests, fortunately, have demonstrated pastoral prudence and charity in dealing with Catholic members of Masonic Lodges, knowing that these members do not militate against the Church.

Hence, they allow us Catholic Masons to exercise our right to receive the sacraments and to perform our duties as Catholics. But others seem to be lacking in pastoral prudence and charity.

Not a few, in fact, have made public utterances condemning Freemasonry and Freemasons. Some Catholic organizations have refused to admit Freemasons into their folds and have booted Freemasons out of their membership rolls.

But, of course, not all Catholic organizations are like that. Some, as was pointed out by Cardinal Rosales, have joined hands with Masonic bodies and orders in carrying out outreach projects for the benefit of the less fortunate in Philippine society.

My dear brethren, let us not worry so much about the resurgence of anti-Masonic attacks resuscitating dead issues. There can be no doubt that Masonry can, and will, withstand the strictest of scrutiny.

As MW Puno pronounced, all that Masonry needs to fight falsehoods is a fair hearing since truth is on our side. Given a fair hearing, Filipino Freemasonry will acquit itself from every false charge in any forum.

As I said earlier, the CBCP cleared Masonry from all calumnies heaped upon it. There is no reason to change that well-considered judgment. Filipino Masonry cannot be good in 1896 and bad in the year 2000 when nothing has changed in Masonry.

MW Puno, interestingly, compared Masonry to "tea" since its best comes out in hot water. Harassments and persecutions will not toll the bell for Masonry. They will only weed out from our ranks the unworthy Masons. And, who are the unworthy Masons? They are, according to MW Puno once more, those who do not understand Masonry; those who understand Masonry but will compromise its teachings due to social, political or religious convenience; and those who are in Masonry for what they can get and not for what they can give for the good of their fellowmen.

That is why, my dear brethren, like our senior brethren in the Craft, I now resound the clarion call for a more honest-to-goodness Masonic education. I fully agree with MW Puno that unless we immerse ourselves in our landmarks, laws, ancient rules, rituals, traditions and practices, we will never be able to defend the Craft. If we do not defend the Craft against its enemies, who will?

Therefore, my brethren, more than anytime, we have got to seek more light in Masonry. Stated MW Reynato S. Puno: "… The mightiest of men cannot obliterate the goodness of Masonry. Masonry has survived and will continue to succeed; for no institution that rests on the pillars of brotherly love, relief ad truth will ever all. There is only one thing Masonry will not survive and that is the lack of Masonry among Masons. The future of Masonry lies in our own hands and not in the hands of others."

No, my dear brethren, we must not allow our beloved Fraternity to degenerate into a mere social club with empty titles and vain pretensions. Rather, we must make of it an institution of moral leadership, educational advancement and philanthropic endeavors.

To achieve this, we have got to work together in close harmony in defending our Craft from attacks and criticisms and we have got to renew our commitment to learn and live - learn our Fraternity's simple lessons of practical morality and sublime teachings of religious philosophy, and then live them, that our light may so shine before men that they will continue to desire our fellowship and join in our assemblies.

Let me end by quoting the Reverend Raymond Green, whose elevation to the position of Grand Master of Masons in the Jurisdiction of New South Wales was received by some people in the community with adverse reaction. In his installation speech, Most Worshipful Brother Green said in part, and I quote:

"I am fully aware of the fact that there are some in the community who would rather not see a minister of religion as Grand Master of the Craft. I know, as you do, that there are some who would be happier if Freemasonry did not exist. These objections further my resolve as Grand Master to show the community that we are an organization of excellence, that what we do counts for something, and if people have a problem with our existence, then the problem lies with them, not with us. I will not diminish the responsibility of the Grand Master and the valuable good works that we have been doing for years, just to satisfy the narrow world view of some fundamentalist religious groups who believe that they have a monopoly of truth."

That, I suggest, should also be our resolve - to show non-Masons, including our critics and adversaries, that we are an organization of excellence, and that what we do counts for something, and to increase our valuable good works for the benefit of the Craft, our country, and fellowmen - all for God's greater glory. #

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