In France, a Catholic archbishop conducted a funeral service for a Freemason, contrary to church canon law

A scandal erupted in France after Antoine Herouard, the Catholic archbishop of Dijon, presided over a memorial service for François Patriat—a politician who had openly declared his membership in a Masonic lodge. The event took place on August 25 at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Semur-en-Auxois, despite existing church prohibitions.

According to Life Site News ( ), French President Emmanuel Macron attended the ceremony and delivered a speech in memory of his late colleague. Holding a church service for a member of a Masonic organization raised questions, as it directly contradicts canon law.

According to the 1983 Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the principles of Freemasonry are deemed incompatible with Catholic doctrine. The document states that Freemasons are in a state of “grave sin,” which deprives them of the right to receive the sacraments and, consequently, to a church funeral unless they show clear signs of repentance before death. As an example, the document cites a recent incident in Rome, where a cardinal refused to celebrate a funeral Mass for the Freemason Bruno Battisti D’Amario, strictly adhering to established rules.

It should be recalled that earlier it was reported that church authorities in Italy had decided to cancel funeral Masses for two deceased men after it became known that they belonged to Masonic organizations. These measures were taken in strict accordance with the norms of canon law to avoid a public scandal.