The Catholic Church abrogated and replaced 1917 CIC with the present 1983 CIC, which took effect in November 1983. 1917 CIC canon 2335 developed into 1983 CIC canon 1374. Unlike the abrogated 1917 CIC canon 2335, however, 1983 CIC canon 1374 § 1 does not name any groups it condemns; it states:
“A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict.”
§ 2 “Offence. To promote or direct an association of the type mentioned above. The director or promoter has greater responsibility, and is therefore guiltier and subject to a more severe penalty.
Penal Sanction. Determinate mandatory censure — interdict — that is ferendæ sententiæ [refers to anexcommunication. The phrase means that the sentenced is to be passed at a later time].
On December 6, 1964, Pope Paul VI, at Vatican Council II made it easier for Roman Catholics who had joined the Freemasonry to be reconciled with the Church. All one had to do was to go to Confession to any priest, explaining the reasons for his membership in the Masons, and ask for absolution. Previously, membership in a lodge was considered a reserved sin which caused automatic excommunication, which could only be absolved by a bishop or the Pope.
The Catholic Church uses two parallel codes of canon law: the 1983 CIC in the Latin Church of the Catholic Church and the 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (1990 CCEO) in the sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches of the Catholic Church. 1983 CIC canon 1374 and 1990 CCEO canon 1448 §2 are parallel canons. 1983 CIC canon 1374 differentiates between being a member of a forbidden association and being an officer or promoter but 1990 CCEO canon 1448 §2 does not.