Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has strongly defended his membership in Freemasonry, refuting claims that the organization is anti-Christian.
His comments come in response to concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s stance that Freemasonry is incompatible with Christian teachings.
During a recent parliamentary vetting, Afenyo-Markin publicly identified as both a Catholic and a Freemason, prompting the Bishops’ Conference, in a letter signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, to caution against involvement in Freemasonry.
Speaking on The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin dismissed the perception that Freemasonry opposes Christianity.
“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.”
He also noted that he had not received any official communication from the Catholic Church regarding his affiliation.
“If I receive a delegation from my church leaders for a conversation, we will have a good conversation,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin stated that if the Catholic Church took a firm position against his Freemasonry membership, he would consider switching to 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.”
The Effutu MP revealed that many Catholics are hesitant to publicly acknowledge their membership in Freemasonry but insisted he was not afraid to do so.
“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.”