In Italy, Catholic bishops cancel funerals of two Freemasons

A Masonic symbol. Photo: DepositPhotos

In Italy, Catholic bishops stopped scheduled funerals for two men publicly identified as Freemasons after their affiliations became known shortly before the ceremonies. The relevant decisions were made by church authorities in Rome and in the Diocese of Ventimiglia-Sanremo on the basis of canon law, reports Life Site News.

The Roman case concerned 88-year-old musician Bruno Battisti D’Amario, who passed away on August 5. The musician worked closely with composer Ennio Morricone and performed guitar parts for the soundtracks of famous Italian westerns. His funeral had been scheduled for August 7 at Santa Maria in Montesanto, commonly known as the "Church of the Artists." 

The Grand Orient of Italy (GOI) – the national leading Masonic lodge – published a public tribute identifying Battisti D’Amario as a “master brother” and stating that he founded the Roman Giuseppe Leti lodge, composed the GOI’s official anthem, and held senior positions within the organization. The GOI also said he had twice served as president of the regional council of Worshipful Masters in Lazio and as a councilor of the order. The public tribute was later deleted.

Church ministers were initially unaware of Battisti D’Amario’s Masonic affiliation when the funeral was arranged. Father Fabrizio Maria Gatta initially told journalists that God’s mercy goes beyond our categories; however, after evidence was presented, he passed the information to the rector of the basilica, Bishop Antonio Staglianò.

The hierarch contacted Cardinal Reina, who is the Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, who, after consulting the legal office of the Diocese of Rome, denied authorization for the funeral Mass. Bishop Staglianò clarified that the faithful may pray for the repose of the musician's soul at regular liturgies after the burial.

The following day, August 8, a similar case occurred in the town of Camporosso in the Diocese of Ventimiglia-Sanremo. Bishop Antonio Suetta learned from local newspapers and public funeral notices that the deceased, Mario Tarducci, had belonged to a Masonic lodge and served as Worshipful Master.

On August 8, the diocese published an official statement declaring that Suetta discussed the matter with the parish priest and the deceased’s family and sought further instructions, which could not be obtained within the limited time available. Faced with the simultaneous case in Rome, the bishop adopted the same indications given there by Cardinal Reina and ordered the planned funeral at St. Mark’s parish church not to take place.

The diocese explicitly cited Canon 1184, which states that ecclesiastical funerals are to be denied to those who, without showing signs of repentance before death, are “notoriously apostate, heretical or schismatic” or are “other manifest sinners” whose funerals would cause public scandal.

As the UOJ reported, a US college plans to buy a Masonic temple to convert it into a Catholic shrine.

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