Masonic rituals ‘blasphemy’

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 8

Masonic rituals ‘blasphemy’

NZPA-PA London Anglican leaders have voted by a big majority to back a report labelling Masonic rituals as "blasphemy.” The Church of England’s General Synod, meeting in York, had been urged by one bishop not to conduct a witchhunt or impose undue pressure on Christians who are Freemasons.

Also, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Habgood, called Freemasonry "fairly harmless eccentricity” and said he was sorry churches had started getting solemn about it - -

But after a three-hour debate, the Synod voted 394 to 52 to endorse the report, from a Church of England working group, and commended for discussion by the Church. The Rev. James Duxbury, from Blackbum, said the report had raised issues in the minds of some members of the craft which were completely new to them. “These difficulties need to be discussed within the Church by Masons and non-Masons,” he said. The debate on Freemasonry and Christianity followed widely publicised disquiet about the nature

of Masonic rituals labelled “blasphemy” in the report. ( < Urging no witch-hunt the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Rev. Stanley, Booth-Clibborn, said many Christians would continue to be Freemasons no matter what the Synod decided. . Commander Michael Higham, of the Royal Navy and the secretary of the United Grand Lodge, and church sidesman, who listened to the debate from the public gallery, said the report had;? caused a lot of angqM, and perhaps rage, at’f&l cusations of blasphemy. •He said it was *iot unthinkable” there wqM be further changes ita - Masonic ritual, but added: “We will do it at our own 3 pace.” Commander Higham said change in penalties had been made and were made because Freemasons wanted the changes not because criticisms were made. He said the average Mason had gone into masonry and stayed in because he liked it « “They are not leaving in droves. Membership is going up quite satisfactorily. A little adversity does no-one any harm,” he said.