Joe Biden joins black Masonic lodge as Master Mason member

Former President Joe Biden, a Catholic, joined a historically black Freemason lodge one day before leaving office. He received "Master Mason membership" at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in South Carolina. According to Catholic canon law, joining the Freemasons can lead to excommunication and prohibits the individual from receiving communion.

“Herefore, be it resolved, that I … hereby confer membership upon President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in recognition of his outstanding service to the United States of America,” a lodge statement announced. Biden is now the 16th U.S. president to become a Freemason. The Archdiocese of Washington has not commented on potential consequences.