I honestly don't know why he had to wait either, but this happened this past year down in S. Texas. I had actually met the person (introduced by my brother years ago.. (whom by the way is a KofC with the Catholic church). When I met the individual we always identified each other with a friendly gesture and although we were not personal friends we always greeted each other as "brother" as many of us masons do. It was mid year last year that my brother informed me that this person had gone back to the Catholic church (in my ol' hometown .. I didn't ask how long ago), but before he was allowed back in the Catholic church he had to renounce himself from being a Mason and wait 6 months. Marriage as far as I know, had nothing at all to do with it. Just a couple of weeks ago my brother told me that the individual is now back in the Catholic church and is very active (which by the way, I'm glad that he's happy). It does puzzle me on how all this took place, but I don't see any use in trying to meet with the person and find out more specifics. It's not his fault, he's just complying so he can get back in the Catholic church. Again, it's "old rules, old laws, old beliefs", that keep certain things from moving forward. My own brother doesn't understand it either because he knows what I do as a Mason and a Shriner and finds it very admirable. I've even taken him to see my lodge so he could see for himself what is in there and how it's set up and explain to him as much as I can. He found it interesting, but I still sense something that he finds unsure. Probably because of what he's been told for many years by others. Funny, I was told the same things, but I continued to search for "more light" and became a Mason 27 yrs ago.... then Scottish Rite and then Shriners. I still respect the Catholic Church as I do other churches, but don't necessarily agree or follow in all their beliefs except for one thing.... GOD. To me, that's all that matters and all I care about.
Plustax, I am not sure why your friend had to wait 6 months to get back into the Church. I've NEVER heard of that happening unless an annulment was involved and your friend had re-married before the annulment came through. I was raised Catholic, spent two years in a Benedictine monastery, and have studied Catholic theology extensively (I have a Master's degree in Philosophy from the Univ. of St. Thomas in Houston). I am currently an unaffiliated Mason, but am working on changing that (dimitted in 2004 for a variety of reasons, but being Catholic was not one of them).[/QUOTE]