Joe Biden becoming a Mason was pretty low on my "probably gonna happen in 2025" ranking. It was somewhere behind "Jacobite heir to British throne deposes King Charles III" but ahead of "Mesozoic proto-sea turtle Archelon is rediscovered alive in the wild by Kanye West."
This wins the funniest Pillar comment of 2025 so far. My goodness, yes. Not exactly on the radar screen, was it? Somehow I don't really think he understands the position he's put himself here. . .
// That matters, because the actual crime in canon law is not the status of being a member of a masonic lodge but the act of joining. //
.
Joe Biden is, I think, well known as a "cultural Catholic". He's made it abundantly clear that for him, being a cultural Catholic is a sociopolitical badge, good for getting votes and for appearing to be "a good man". As Wilton Gregory remarked, he's a cafeteria Catholic ( https://www.ncronline.org/news/dcs-cardinal-gregory-criticizes-bidens-cafeteria-catholicism ).
Excellent point. Was it was one of the cabal running the country who told the Lodge that Dementia Joe would have gratefully accepted the honour if he was not gaga?
I kind of doubt that a man who barely met his cabinet for four years sat through a complicated initiation ceremony and thought “yes, I completely understand what is going in and think it’s awesome.”
He won't be receive any discipline; not because of the clerics who'd be determining a possible discipline, but because Joe Biden is almost entirely riddled by dementia and entirely incapable of understanding where he is or what's happening around him at any given point in time, and is essentially in geriatric custody. That man had ungodly amounts of stimulants and uppers pumped into him during the campaing just to keep him upright and reading from a teleprompter.
Joe Biden had no clue where he was or what was going on. I imagine that the only thing going through the remnant of Biden's mind was that he was just amused to see a Black man in a top-hat and bowtie: "Cornpop sure turned his life around, he's got a fancy hat now!"
Thanks for the article. Wild headline but the conclusion makes sense. I’m sure that there are many things thrust upon you as president (current or former) that one might not care for.
Praying for him. Truly hope for his repentance in other matters.
If our Holy Father has failed to excommunicate President Biden for his virulent advocacy of abortion “rights,” I dare say he would even blink an eye at his joining the Freemasons.
If our Holy Father did not deem it fit to excommunicate Biden for his virulent advocacy of abortion “rights,” I doubt he would blink an eye at Biden joining the Freemasons.
Not to mention pardoning and granting clemency to serious criminals and family members, yet he didn't have the time to pardon 75 year old grandmother Paulette Harlow who got two years in prison for praying in front of an abortion clinic.
Ms. Harlow did a lot more than "praying in front of an abortion clinic." She had a four-day bench trial, and the judge made the following Findings of Fact beyond a reasonable doubt, readily available on the internet:
"On October 22, 2020, Defendant [i.e., Ms. Harlow] invaded a reproductive health clinic in Washington, DC with her nine coconspirators to halt, for as long as possible, pregnancy-termination procedures scheduled for that day. To do so, Defendant jostled past three employees attempting to keep the flood of obstructionists out, later body-slamming the clinic manager into a waiting-room chair. With a bike lock affixed to her neck, Defendant then chained herself to four of her coconspirators and blocked the main entrance to the clinic's medical procedure area. Gov.'s Ex. 1011. When Officer Whyte turned to her and her coconspirators to direct them to exit the clinic, Defendant responded, “we can't move; we have the bike locks, so we can't move.” Id. In Defendant's words, the purpose of the blockade was “to save lives.” Id. In her view, God directed her to “rescue those who are being unjustly led to slaughter.” Gov.'s Ex. 1013. Therefore, she would “not follow an unjust law” that, she understood, mandated she leave the clinic. Id. Ultimately, this joint endeavor succeeded in shutting the clinic down for approximately two-and-a-half hours. Compare Gov.'s Ex. 1001 (entry) with Gov.'s Ex. 1015 (exit)."
Now, people's interpretations of these events will vary, but we should at least truthfully recite the facts about the events.
Fair enough. I wasn't aware of the full events. However, it doesn't change the fact that Biden pardoned, commuted, and/or provided clemency for far worse and for his family members. Unless of course someone thinks that what Ms. Harlow did was the equivalent of murdering FBI officers, women, children, or freeing crooked judges (i.e. Pennsylvania "kids for cash" scandal).
Sure, that’s true, but also remember that Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of all but three of the then-pending federal death sentences at the explicit request of members of the Catholic hierarchy. Indeed, the Catholic hierarchy actually wanted him to commute ALL the federal death sentences. So we can hardly hold that against him, can we?
The bishops ask him to commute the sentences, he does it, and then he’s a bad guy for doing it? That seems wrong to me.
I'm a little confused. Is he (at the time) the president or the pope? He can make prudential judgments on his own, right? I'm sure he's aware of the Church's position on abortion, yet ignores it and doubles down on promoting it. Even though the Church recently (the last decade, maybe a little further back to St. JP2) declared capital punishment to be "inadmissible", it does not go as far as saying it is unjust (as scripture allows it, Church Fathers agreed with it, various papal encyclicals acknowledged it, most of Church history accepted it, etc.). Abortion, however, is illicit on all counts. The Church, right from the beginning (i.e. Didache, etc.) affirmed that abortion is a great evil and never deviated from it. It seems like his choices were all political, not moral.
Not to be glib, but saving the lives of murderers while actively encouraging abortion does not really make someone a “good guy”.
As the other comment mentioned, the death penalty, while not in vogue today, has been considered admissible (and would be again should circumstances change). Abortion, by contrast, has never been allowed.
A modicum of “good” does not outweigh a magnitude of evil.
It's not really my goal to be the Joe Biden cheerleader here, not on abortion or anything else. We're talking about the use of the pardon power. Thirty-seven out of 40 death sentences were commuted to life in prison. That's good! All 40 would've been even better.
Archbishop Broglio released a statement after the commutations. He said:
“My brother bishops and I unite in expressing our gratitude that President Biden has commuted the federal death sentences of 37 men. The bishops’ conference has long called for an end to the use of the death penalty. This action by the president is a significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation. As we continue to proclaim the Gospel in a broken world, this act of mercy is a step closer to building a culture of life. We encourage all lawmakers to continue to work towards the total abolition of the death penalty, and to redirect the energy and resources that currently go towards executions to provide compassionate and professional assistance to the families of victims.
“During this season of Advent when our Church prepares for the coming of our Lord, we pray for and encourage all elected leaders to similarly take bold actions to protect human life in all of its stages.”
I agree with the bishops. It was a good thing for Joe Biden to do. The people that were previously sentenced to death will still never breathe free air. That's the way it should be. But the important principle of the dignity of the human person is upheld.
Ms. Harlow and her co-defendants are a different case altogether. I take your comments to mean that you think he should've pardoned Ms. Harlow and her co-defendants since they oppose abortion. Well, they weren't prosecuted or imprisoned for opposing abortion. If people want to pray, vote, march, or protest to end abortion, that's perfectly good and fine - AND LEGAL. The behavior of Ms. Harlow and her co-defendants would've been illegal in any time or place. They used force. At least one person was injured. It was wrong for them to do it. They should've served their jail sentences and then be released. You can't use illicit means, even to achieve praiseworthy ends.
I'm absolutely not arguing that Joe Biden governed perfectly consistently with his Catholic faith. He didn't; that's clear. Neither major party and no majority-party presidential candidate campaigned consistently with Catholic principles. So let's praise just praise Joe Biden for the good things he did and agreeably disagree with the things that weren't good.
How could Pope Francis excommunicate Biden after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom? A good Pope would, caring for Biden's eternal soul, but since now the Pope's theology is everyone goes to Heaven no matter who they are, why bother?
"But as far as the Church is concerned, Prince Hall masonry has all of the same problems, from a philosophical, theological, and canonical perspective, as any other branch of Freemasonry."
Do you have some Church statement on the Prince Hall Masons? My pastors had indicated the opposite. My cousin is also a member of the Mason Tenders and a devout Catholic. If a group has the word "Mason" in its name, but does not follow the objectionable practices or hold the objectionable principles of European Freemasonry, are they really condemned?
Prince Hall Masonry is now--as far as I know--considered "regular" by the Mother Lodge in England after centuries of being outside the fold.
Lodges can make a man a mason "at sight" without any action on the person's part, as happened with Reagan. I can't imagine that Biden went through an initiation, so that's surely what happened here.
Joe Biden becoming a Mason was pretty low on my "probably gonna happen in 2025" ranking. It was somewhere behind "Jacobite heir to British throne deposes King Charles III" but ahead of "Mesozoic proto-sea turtle Archelon is rediscovered alive in the wild by Kanye West."
This wins the funniest Pillar comment of 2025 so far. My goodness, yes. Not exactly on the radar screen, was it? Somehow I don't really think he understands the position he's put himself here. . .
Ok I think he’s just messing with us at this point
// That matters, because the actual crime in canon law is not the status of being a member of a masonic lodge but the act of joining. //
.
Joe Biden is, I think, well known as a "cultural Catholic". He's made it abundantly clear that for him, being a cultural Catholic is a sociopolitical badge, good for getting votes and for appearing to be "a good man". As Wilton Gregory remarked, he's a cafeteria Catholic ( https://www.ncronline.org/news/dcs-cardinal-gregory-criticizes-bidens-cafeteria-catholicism ).
How about praying for Mr. Biden and his family. and lets leave American politics out of these comments.
"On the grounds of a Catholic church in Delaware where Nelia Biden, Naomi Biden and now Beau Biden, are all buried, also his father and his mother. "
Who is going to ask him or his publicist what happened? Enquiring minds want to know.
I doubt Biden is capable, in his diminished state, of comprehending what this all means
He thought he was going to learn bricklaying as he wants a new patio on the place on the beach in Rehoboth
He has to submit an environmental impact statement first, in order to get the permit. Good thing he he was first in his class at law school.
Hee hee!
Excellent point. Was it was one of the cabal running the country who told the Lodge that Dementia Joe would have gratefully accepted the honour if he was not gaga?
I kind of doubt that a man who barely met his cabinet for four years sat through a complicated initiation ceremony and thought “yes, I completely understand what is going in and think it’s awesome.”
I doubt he has any idea who those people were or why he was shaking their hands.
Delightful teapot tempest. I suspect this will not be the specific way the devil catches Biden by the heel. Good backgrounder, though. Thanks!
I think that there are many ways in which the Devil can snare Mr. Biden.
He won't be receive any discipline; not because of the clerics who'd be determining a possible discipline, but because Joe Biden is almost entirely riddled by dementia and entirely incapable of understanding where he is or what's happening around him at any given point in time, and is essentially in geriatric custody. That man had ungodly amounts of stimulants and uppers pumped into him during the campaing just to keep him upright and reading from a teleprompter.
Joe Biden had no clue where he was or what was going on. I imagine that the only thing going through the remnant of Biden's mind was that he was just amused to see a Black man in a top-hat and bowtie: "Cornpop sure turned his life around, he's got a fancy hat now!"
Thanks for the article. Wild headline but the conclusion makes sense. I’m sure that there are many things thrust upon you as president (current or former) that one might not care for.
Praying for him. Truly hope for his repentance in other matters.
I truly hope for everyone's repentance in other matters. Love your neighbor.
If our Holy Father has failed to excommunicate President Biden for his virulent advocacy of abortion “rights,” I dare say he would even blink an eye at his joining the Freemasons.
Tom Sammon
If our Holy Father did not deem it fit to excommunicate Biden for his virulent advocacy of abortion “rights,” I doubt he would blink an eye at Biden joining the Freemasons.
Not to mention pardoning and granting clemency to serious criminals and family members, yet he didn't have the time to pardon 75 year old grandmother Paulette Harlow who got two years in prison for praying in front of an abortion clinic.
Ms. Harlow did a lot more than "praying in front of an abortion clinic." She had a four-day bench trial, and the judge made the following Findings of Fact beyond a reasonable doubt, readily available on the internet:
"On October 22, 2020, Defendant [i.e., Ms. Harlow] invaded a reproductive health clinic in Washington, DC with her nine coconspirators to halt, for as long as possible, pregnancy-termination procedures scheduled for that day. To do so, Defendant jostled past three employees attempting to keep the flood of obstructionists out, later body-slamming the clinic manager into a waiting-room chair. With a bike lock affixed to her neck, Defendant then chained herself to four of her coconspirators and blocked the main entrance to the clinic's medical procedure area. Gov.'s Ex. 1011. When Officer Whyte turned to her and her coconspirators to direct them to exit the clinic, Defendant responded, “we can't move; we have the bike locks, so we can't move.” Id. In Defendant's words, the purpose of the blockade was “to save lives.” Id. In her view, God directed her to “rescue those who are being unjustly led to slaughter.” Gov.'s Ex. 1013. Therefore, she would “not follow an unjust law” that, she understood, mandated she leave the clinic. Id. Ultimately, this joint endeavor succeeded in shutting the clinic down for approximately two-and-a-half hours. Compare Gov.'s Ex. 1001 (entry) with Gov.'s Ex. 1015 (exit)."
Now, people's interpretations of these events will vary, but we should at least truthfully recite the facts about the events.
Fair enough. I wasn't aware of the full events. However, it doesn't change the fact that Biden pardoned, commuted, and/or provided clemency for far worse and for his family members. Unless of course someone thinks that what Ms. Harlow did was the equivalent of murdering FBI officers, women, children, or freeing crooked judges (i.e. Pennsylvania "kids for cash" scandal).
Sure, that’s true, but also remember that Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of all but three of the then-pending federal death sentences at the explicit request of members of the Catholic hierarchy. Indeed, the Catholic hierarchy actually wanted him to commute ALL the federal death sentences. So we can hardly hold that against him, can we?
The bishops ask him to commute the sentences, he does it, and then he’s a bad guy for doing it? That seems wrong to me.
I'm a little confused. Is he (at the time) the president or the pope? He can make prudential judgments on his own, right? I'm sure he's aware of the Church's position on abortion, yet ignores it and doubles down on promoting it. Even though the Church recently (the last decade, maybe a little further back to St. JP2) declared capital punishment to be "inadmissible", it does not go as far as saying it is unjust (as scripture allows it, Church Fathers agreed with it, various papal encyclicals acknowledged it, most of Church history accepted it, etc.). Abortion, however, is illicit on all counts. The Church, right from the beginning (i.e. Didache, etc.) affirmed that abortion is a great evil and never deviated from it. It seems like his choices were all political, not moral.
Not to be glib, but saving the lives of murderers while actively encouraging abortion does not really make someone a “good guy”.
As the other comment mentioned, the death penalty, while not in vogue today, has been considered admissible (and would be again should circumstances change). Abortion, by contrast, has never been allowed.
A modicum of “good” does not outweigh a magnitude of evil.
It's not really my goal to be the Joe Biden cheerleader here, not on abortion or anything else. We're talking about the use of the pardon power. Thirty-seven out of 40 death sentences were commuted to life in prison. That's good! All 40 would've been even better.
Archbishop Broglio released a statement after the commutations. He said:
“My brother bishops and I unite in expressing our gratitude that President Biden has commuted the federal death sentences of 37 men. The bishops’ conference has long called for an end to the use of the death penalty. This action by the president is a significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation. As we continue to proclaim the Gospel in a broken world, this act of mercy is a step closer to building a culture of life. We encourage all lawmakers to continue to work towards the total abolition of the death penalty, and to redirect the energy and resources that currently go towards executions to provide compassionate and professional assistance to the families of victims.
“During this season of Advent when our Church prepares for the coming of our Lord, we pray for and encourage all elected leaders to similarly take bold actions to protect human life in all of its stages.”
I agree with the bishops. It was a good thing for Joe Biden to do. The people that were previously sentenced to death will still never breathe free air. That's the way it should be. But the important principle of the dignity of the human person is upheld.
Ms. Harlow and her co-defendants are a different case altogether. I take your comments to mean that you think he should've pardoned Ms. Harlow and her co-defendants since they oppose abortion. Well, they weren't prosecuted or imprisoned for opposing abortion. If people want to pray, vote, march, or protest to end abortion, that's perfectly good and fine - AND LEGAL. The behavior of Ms. Harlow and her co-defendants would've been illegal in any time or place. They used force. At least one person was injured. It was wrong for them to do it. They should've served their jail sentences and then be released. You can't use illicit means, even to achieve praiseworthy ends.
I'm absolutely not arguing that Joe Biden governed perfectly consistently with his Catholic faith. He didn't; that's clear. Neither major party and no majority-party presidential candidate campaigned consistently with Catholic principles. So let's praise just praise Joe Biden for the good things he did and agreeably disagree with the things that weren't good.
Thank you - nice to see some charity and clear thinking among the many unchristian, if not outright hateful, comments.
Wow
How could Pope Francis excommunicate Biden after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom? A good Pope would, caring for Biden's eternal soul, but since now the Pope's theology is everyone goes to Heaven no matter who they are, why bother?
With his public support of all kinds of anti-Catholic issues, this would just be par for the course.
"But as far as the Church is concerned, Prince Hall masonry has all of the same problems, from a philosophical, theological, and canonical perspective, as any other branch of Freemasonry."
Do you have some Church statement on the Prince Hall Masons? My pastors had indicated the opposite. My cousin is also a member of the Mason Tenders and a devout Catholic. If a group has the word "Mason" in its name, but does not follow the objectionable practices or hold the objectionable principles of European Freemasonry, are they really condemned?
Prince Hall Masonry is now--as far as I know--considered "regular" by the Mother Lodge in England after centuries of being outside the fold.
Lodges can make a man a mason "at sight" without any action on the person's part, as happened with Reagan. I can't imagine that Biden went through an initiation, so that's surely what happened here.