[Talisker]

I certainly disagree with your sentence “masonry and other anti-clerical movements.” There is nothing anti-religious about Free Masonry.

In this context, "clerical" refers to the ecclesiastical authority of the Catholic Church. Masonry certainly has never accepted such authority - to the contrary, in fact.

[Maine Mariner]

In this context, “clerical” refers to the ecclesiastical authority of the Catholic Church. Masonry certainly has never accepted such authority - to the contrary, in fact.

Why should a fraternal organization whose members are from all walks of life and all religions accept such authority?