My Archbishop, Palmer-Buckle, has not written any letter to me about my Freemasonry – Afenyo-Markin
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has refuted claims that his membership in Freemasonry contradicts Christian teachings, asserting that the organisation is not anti-Christian.
His comments follow concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which recently reiterated the Church’s long-standing position that Catholicism and Freemasonry are incompatible.
In a letter signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Church reaffirmed its stance, stating, “The Church has always maintained that Freemasonry is incompatible with the teachings of Christ and the Church.”
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Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with Church leaders on the subject but clarified that he had not received any official communication from the Catholic Church.
“Freemasonry is not anti-Christ. If nothing at all, at the highest level of Masonry, you must profess Christ. People don’t know, and people say things. But I’m ready for that debate. I have not been written to. If I receive a delegation from my Church leaders for a conversation, we will have a good conversation,” he stated.
The Effutu MP added that should the Church take a firm position against his involvement in Freemasonry, he would then decide whether to remain Catholic or join the Anglican Church.
“My Church first. The Church doesn’t force people; the Church shows compassion, listens, and shows love. My Archbishop, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, has not written any letter to me. I have been seeing letters flying, but nobody has written a letter to me personally.”
Afenyo-Markin also observed that many Catholics hesitate to openly declare their affiliation with Freemasonry, but he had no such fears.
“I’m a committed Catholic. I’m ready to discuss the fraternities that I join. If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have brought it up. There are many Catholics who are Freemasons and are afraid to talk about it.”
The debate over Freemasonry and Christianity continues to generate discussions among religious and public circles in Ghana.