Knights of Columbus VS Freemasons: What is the Difference?

[Johnboy60]

Hi, What makes the Knights of Columbus diffient than the Masonic Lodge?

http://www.kofc.org/index.cfm

http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Essays/



Thanks, Robert.

 

[puriteen18]

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic social fraternity.

The Freemasons is a fraternity that is more 'philoshophical' than religious. They accept anyone who hold the belief of a supreme being.

Oftentimes churches have opposition to the Freemasons because of they secrecy and psuedo-religious and philosophical ideas.

 

[ByzantineDixie]

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic social fraternity.

The Freemasons is a fraternity that is more 'philoshophical' than religious. They accept anyone who hold the belief of a supreme being.

Oftentimes churches have opposition to the Freemasons because of they secrecy and psuedo-religious and philosophical ideas.

I would expand just a hair on the differences to say that for a Catholic to belong to KofC--it is quite an acceptable thing because it is church sponsored group.

However, the Masons, to my knowledge (someone please correct me if I am wrong) is not a church / denomination sponsored group. The Catholic church does not permit membership in the Masons nor do several other Protestant groups. Yes, I think the secrecy and the psuedo-biblical aspects are part of the reason these groups do not permit membership.

So while in the Catholic church membership in the KofC is considered good...in Catholic and some non-Catholic Christian denominations membership in the Masons is considered unacceptable. (Of course protestant membership in the KofC would be frowned upon, too!!! )

God bless all y'all

Rose

 

[countrymousenc]

I'm glad to hear that the RCC doesn't allow membership in the Masonic lodge; however, I had an experience that indicates that this ban is not being universally enforced. About three years ago, while on vacation in D.C., we walked into the RCC chapel at the Washington Cathedral just after the service had ended. We were greeted by a lay member (an official greeter for that congregation) who then invited us to visit the Washington Masonic temple while we were in the area. He was not only a member but held a very high rank in the "temple," someting like second-in-command. Gave me the willies.

 

[nyj]

So while in the Catholic church membership in the KofC is considered good...in Catholic and some non-Catholic Christian denominations membership in the Masons is considered unacceptable.

Any Catholic joining Freemasonry subjects themselves to immediate excommunication.

Of course protestant membership in the KofC would be frowned upon, too!!!

To be a member of the Knights of Columbus, a man must be a practical Catholic in union with the Holy See.

 

[nyj]

Hi, What makes the Knights of Columbus diffient than the Masonic Lodge?

The Knights of Columbus started as a fraternal organization to provide for the widows and children of Catholic men who died. In the USA, Irish and Italian immigrants typically had some of the worst and most dangerous jobs, leading to a high mortality rate, leaving many orphans and widows. Fr. Michael McGivney therefore started the organization to help provide for these "victims" of the American system. The "secret meetings" of the KofC started in response to FreeMasonry which was filching Catholic men from Catholic service with the allure of secret ceremonies.

The ceremonies of the KofC are technically not secret, and can be revealed (revealing such ceremonies does not result in any penalties to the Knight revealing them) but as a general principle, Knights do not reveal what happens in the degree ceremonies for the benefit of those who have yet to participate in them (there are four degrees). The lessons taught (Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism) teach each Knight valuable insights into their own person, something which may not occur if the Knight knew what to expect beforehand.

 

[Knight]

I didn't even think there was any comparison. There isn't of course.

 

[P_G]

Say while we are discussing organizations

I was at an antique store over the weekend and saw some fancy hats with
embroidered Crosses on them I asked the shop keeper what organization they were from and was told "The Knights of Templar" Anyone know anything about them?

How about the Sovriegn Military Order of Malta?
I think both may be Catholic organizations and I would love to hear more!

Blessings

Pastor George

 

[Sephania]

Why Columbus? Why is he the honored one?

 

[reformedfan]

Hi, What makes the Knights of Columbus diffient than the Masonic Lodge?
.

At a Masonic initiation you might end up with a bullet in the head, from the latest news. That makes a pretty humongus difference to I who knows nothing about either of these.

 

[billmcelligott]

At a Masonic initiation you might end up with a bullet in the head, from the latest news. That makes a pretty humongus difference to I who knows nothing about either of these.

This was not a masonic Lodge initiation, it was a sad stupid mistake by a 76 year old man who should hve known better. But please remember a man died. His wife and family and friends, need some prayers not a quick joke.

 

[nyj]

Why Columbus? Why is he the honored one?

The Knights of Columbus is an organization started in the United States for the original benefit of immigrants coming here mostly from Europe. Columbus, a devout Catholic and European, discovered the continent and was responsible for bringing Christianity to it.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

We were greeted by a lay member (an official greeter for that congregation) who then invited us to visit the Washington Masonic temple while we were in the area. He was not only a member but held a very high rank in the "temple," someting like second-in-command. Gave me the willies.

It really shouldn't have. He was just enthusiastic.

There's a history of animosity between the Catholic hierarchy and freemasonry. Technically Catholics are not supposed to become Masons according to a papal bull of the 1800s but it's not enforced.

 

[artybloke]

Sorry, isn't it the Knights of St Columba, not Columbus? In which case, we're talking British saint, one of the founders of Christianity in England, connected to the holy island of Lindisfarne, not the bloke who bumped into the West Indies.

Typical Yanks. They think the whole of history revolves around them.

 

[billmcelligott]

In accordance with the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church, members will diligently work for the Moral and Social Welfare of our Country and in particular to help young people develop in the likeness of Christ. Members of the Order will strive to achieve these aims through the fundamental virtues of Charity, Unity and Fraternity.

Now which web site do you think this comes from.

Answer , it could have come from either but in fact it was.

http://www.ksc.org.uk/

United Grand Lodge of England

Brotherly Love - Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

Relief - Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

Truth - Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

http://www.grandlodge-england.org/masonry/what-is-freemasonry.htm

What is the difference
The former is part of the Catholic Church. The Later is not.

Both are Fraternities, Both are dedicated to improve the moral structure of society. Both work for the benefit of the community.

Freemasonry has a few silly hand shakes and passwords , Ksc does not.

Freemasonry has its faults, but it does donate around $ 2,000,000 a week to Charity. For this I accept the faults.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Sorry, isn't it the Knights of St Columba, not Columbus? ....

No, it's the Knights of Columbus.

 

[nyj]

Sorry, isn't it the Knights of St Columba, not Columbus?

No, it's not. You'd think, given my avatar, I'd know what I was talking about.

Typical Yanks. They think the whole of history revolves around them.

Hmmm, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't there used to be a phrase that went: The sun never sets on the British empire. ? Hmmm?

 

[artybloke]

http://www.ksc.org.uk/

Not according to the website it isn't, Jeffery. I wasn't even aware that Christopher Columbus had been canonized; but then I'm an Anglican.

Maybe there's two ksc's? I note the badges are different...

 

[nyj]

http://www.ksc.org.uk/

Never seen that website before.

Here is the official website of the : Knights of Columbus

Not according to the website it isn't, Jeffery.

Errr, Jeff and I are both members of the Knights of Columbus, why is this so hard to believe?

I wasn't even aware that Christopher Columbus had been canonized; but then I'm an Anglican.

He isn't canonized. Why would he have to be canonized? We don't call him our patron saint or anything.

Maybe there's two ksc's? I note the badges are different...

There is not two ksc's. There is the KofC and then there is this other group (KSC). They are unrelated. That website says plainly that the KSC is a Catholic men's group in England. The KofC started in America.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 12,000 councils and 1.6 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.​

 

[billmcelligott]

Ok, then see if I have this right.

There is the Knights of St. Columba and the Knights of Columbus. Both are fraternal societies.

So we must therefore conclude that the Church does not have a problem with Fraternity.

Both Knights are concerned with moral welfare and doing good work for the benefit of the community. Again the Church is happy with this.

We must therefore conclude that the problem the Church has with Masonry is that its members are allowed to worship in their own faith and not that of the Roman Catholic Church. Now dont get me wrong here the Church has every right to its own opinion and the enforcement of that opinion. I just want to understand the objection.

You see there are many Catholics who are Freemasons. They are in essence, as has been said in breach of the cannon.

My experience with this issue goes back some way, I had long debates with a Catholic Priest about 10 years ago. At this time it seemed to most , of my aquaintance, that the Church did not take much notice of this law. He explained to me that the main cause of the confusion was that many priests translated the issue on their own , some said yes its OK, some said NO.

His objection was quite clear to me, I had sympathy with the dilema. If you give your word never to reveal the secrets of Freemasonry and swear to that on the Bible then how can you then also divulge everthing to your Priest. A simple logical problem. You can not keep your word to both.

However , please correct me if I am wrong, but there was then a confirmation of the Cannon that quite clearly stated it was no longer a matter for the local Priest and was considered an absolute. The real problem as I understand it is , the Cannon does not actually name Freemasonry.

The confusion continues with the name of Knights of ?

There is a further note of disquiet between the Church and Masonry. There is much speculation that Freemasonry derives from what was The Knights Templar. Now there is no actual proof of this but there are many coincidential threads of evidence.

The Knights Templar were originally the Warrior Monks , of the Catholic Church. There task was to make safe passage to the Holy Land. Untill they were purged somehwere around the 12th Century and fled to escape the wroth of the King of France, who ceased all their Money and lands.

So I would suggest to dispell any confusion it is right to identify that there is a Knights Templar , a group in Freemasonry. Which has no direct link to the Original Knights, but uses there story to emulate some of the traits of the order. You have to be Christian to enter this order of Freemasonry and there are some other side orders that again you must profess to be Christain before you can gain admittance.

So to conclude we have another confusion maybe, to the term Knight with regard sorting out the differences. The Knights Templar order in Freemasonry, you have to be a Christian but you may be of any denimination. This complies with the main priciple of Freemasonry Freedom from influence on your Religious, Civil or Moral duties.

Within the Masonic ritual , discussion of any Religious or Political subject is absolutely forbidden. Purely in the interests of harmony.