Rowan Williams apologises to Freemasons

Telegraph (UK) ^ | 20/04/2003 | Chris Hastings and Elizabeth Day

[nickcarraway]

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has been forced to apologise to Britain's 330,000 Freemasons after he said that their beliefs were incompatible with Christianity and that he had rejected them from senior posts in his diocese.

Dr Williams has written to Robert Morrow, the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, in an attempt to defuse the row prompted by comments he made last year. In his letter, the Archbishop apologises for the "distress" he caused and discloses that his own father was a member of the Craft.

Freemasons, many of whom are active members of the Church of England, reacted angrily to his disclosure that he "had real misgivings about the compatibility of Masonry and Christian profession" and by his admission that, as Bishop of Monmouth, he had blocked the appointment of Freemasons to senior appointments.

His comments about Freemasons were in a private letter leaked to the media shortly after Downing Street confirmed his appointment as head of the Church of England.

Subsequent attempts by his advisers to defuse the row only caused further offence. A spokesman said the Archbishop was worried about the ritual element of Freemasonry, which has been seen as "satanically inspired".

In his letter of apology, Dr Williams tries to distance himself from his own reported comments. He claims that his views were never meant to be public and were distorted by the media.

He wrote: "I have been sorry to learn of the distress of a considerable number of Freemasons . . . In replying to private correspondence, I had no intention of starting a public debate nor of questioning the good faith and generosity of individual Freemasons and I regret the tone and content of the media coverage."

He added: "The quoted statements about the 'satanic' character of the Masonic ceremonies and other matters did not come from me and do not represent my judgment. Since my late father was a member of the Craft for many years, I have had every opportunity of observing the probity of individual members."

Dr Williams does not, in his letter, deny that he has misgivings about the role of Freemasons within the Church.

He wrote: "Where anxieties exist, however, they are in relation not to Freemasonry but to Christian ministers subscribing to what could be and often is understood [or misunderstood] as a private system of profession and initiation, involving the taking of oaths of loyalty."

He ends his letter by stating that Freemasons' commitment to charity and the community is beyond question.

[American in Israel]

THE BLUE LODGE TO BE DECEIVED!

"The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the
Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate,
but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is
not intended that he shall understand them, but it is intended
that he shall imagine he understands them."

"Morals And Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of
Freemasonry", By Albert Pike, Grand Commander, 1859-1891.
Its title page states that it was prepared for the "Supreme Council
of the Thirty-Third Degree and Published by its Authority".

Originally published in 1871, I have used the 1966 Edition.(page 819)

[American in Israel]

My original point stands though.. the Masons aren't about Satan worship.

No they are about Lucifer worship as the quotes and references show.

[American in Israel]

In the 19th level of Freemasonry, the Initiate receives the degree of GRAND PONTIFF. It is during this ritual that the candidate swears an oath of secrecy and an oath of total obedience "to any Chapter of this degree to which I may belong; and the edicts, laws and mandates of the Grand Consistory of Sublime Princes and Commanders of the Royal Secret, as well as those of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree".. It is then that the 'Thrice Puissant' annoints him with oil on the crown of his head and says: "Be Thou a Priest Forever, after the order of Melchizedek." After receiving the password (Emanuel) and the sacred word (Alleluia), he is dressed in a robe of white linen and given a cordon (a ribbon or sash of honor worn across the breast) of crimson color, with 12 stars representing "the 12 gates of the 'new city', and the twelve signs of the Zodiac, the twelve fruits of the tree of life, the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles" (Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, The Complete Ritual, Vol. 2, pages 26-27, E. Cook Publications, 1974)

It must be pointed out that what has taken place here, is the Masonic, Luciferian priesthood taking upon itself, the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ. That is a Priesthood that can be held by only one person and that one person is clearly defined in scripture as Jesus Christ!

[sitetest]

Dear BenR2,

Sorry to have posted and run last night. ;-) It was after midnight here.

There are four degrees of the Knights of Columbus, and that's it. There are no higher degrees beyond the Fourth Degree.

There once was an effort to institute a Fifth Degree, as I have heard it, but those efforts failed and the folks who were trying to do that created the International Order of Alhambra, which is a separate organization altogether from the Knights of Columbus. Here is a link for the Alhambra:

http://www.orderalhambra.org/home.html

These men do many good things, acting out of their Catholic faith, as well.

As to your cited oaths having fallen into disuse, I wondered the same thing myself. But my father has been a Knight for about 50 years, and we have discussed how the ceremonials have changed, and this isn't one of the ways. Furthermore, the oath that you cite would violate the teachings of the Catholic Church, and at least the official doings of the Knights require the official approval of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus was started by a Catholic priest in part to strengthen the faith and practice of Catholic men. The Order does and always has submitted to the authority of the Catholic Church, exercised through her priests and bishops.

As well, without going further, what you suggest is entirely out of character with the ceremonials as they actually exist.

The Knights of Columbus isn't really a secret brotherhood. Though as a Knight, I may not normally reveal the details of the ceremonials of our degrees, nonetheless, they are not really secret. There are circumstances when it would be required by a Knight to divulge things to those outside the Order.

I'm sorry that you think that we are deceived. I don't know why you might think that. Perhaps you are one of those fellows who believe that devout Catholics in general are deceived? If that is your belief, then, yes, we qualify as being deceived by your measure.


sitetest

[sitetest]

Dear AiI,

I'm not quite sure you addressed this post to me. I'm not a mason.


sitetest

[American in Israel]

I just thought it was interesting and had revelance to the secret Oaths of the order you are in. I appreciate your candid postings and I posted it with respect. Blessings...

[nhbob1]

I'm saying that this ritual (if it is correct as you have printed it and I can't verify that one way or the other since I have not been through it) is a reference to an historic event and that the specific Pope that is referred to is worthy of nothing but scorn and derision as a result of his own actions. I could list the rituals and oaths but I won't since I gave my word that I wouldn't and I won't break my word.

[nhbob1]

Why would profane be the appropriate term? Masonry IS NOT a religion. To the best of my knowledge it does not promise salvation. It is better described as a code of conduct for its members to follow in their lives.

[sitetest]

Dear AiI,

Okay.

Though I'm not a mason, I kind of feel sorry for masons in threads like this. I see the stuff that is posted, alleged to be the stuff of their rituals. Some of it is really ugly. If it accurately portrays their rituals, it is cause for grave concern.

But then I see stuff posted about the Knights of Columbus. And it is so far off-base, that it makes me literally laugh out loud as I'm reading it. I know the ceremonials of my Order, and can compare between what is true and what is posted. I wonder whether the masons are having the same reactions, and noticing similar contrasts. But these men may have endeavored not to reveal their ceremonials, which makes defending against the charges difficult, as even in denying specific allegations, one might be seen as to have violated one's trust and obligations. Thus, defense against untrue allegations is difficult.

I distrust sources that purport to accurately represent masonic rituals. Why? Because I have seen fiction made of whole cloth concerning the ceremonials of my own Order. If I had the time and energy, and if I sufficiently cared, I would go to the Libary of Congress, here in Washington, and see if I could find materials copyrighted by actual masonic organizations pertaining to their rituals. That would shed light on the truth of things. I don't need to perform such a search for my own Order, as I know the ceremonials from first-hand experience.


sitetest

[anniegetyourgun]

See #90

[Polycarp]

Thank you for sharing your own personal opinion. May God Bless you abundantly, illuminate your darkened intellect, and have Mercy on your soul.

[Polycarp]

"Why are you spreading filth, lies, and calumny here ? You are as bad, if not worse than Clinton ever dreamed of being, with this noxious post of yours."

Right back atcha.

[Cap'n Crunch]

If Clinton was never a Mason, you guys need to get the story straight. Some say he was in the Order of De Molay. And even if he wasn't he sure got their principles down good.

And I stand behind everything I posted.

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Exactly. Also, the anti-christ and satan believe in Jesus. Everyone knows Jesus exists, so "believing" in Jesus doesn't really mean much. It takes much more than simply believing in Jesus to be a Christian. The difference is that the evil forces worship their evil figurehead, Satan in direct opposition to Jesus.

[Marysecretary]

Thanks. I thought I had heard that. Mxxx

[TontoKowalski]

You have got to be kidding me with that letter.

Whether you're a Mason or an anti-Mason, you can't honestly think that anyone in any position of responsibility or power, like the curator of a museum, would send someone a letterhead business communication, the first sentence of which is:

"I find this hard to write to you, almost as if now my head were going to burst open!"

LMAO! If I had to bet, I'd say that old Mr. Chick was pestering the boys, and some wag got ahold of the letterhead and goofed on him. If you look at my post #112, you'll see that I did the same thing.

Like Masons. Don't like Masons. I don't care, but dear God, please have some respect for yourself. Buying into that line of horsehockey really undercuts any credibility you might wish to establish.

[Polycarp]

I am certain there are many former Masons who have left the Craft and repented. I truly believe that at its highest levels, it is literally Luciferian.

However, there is no credibility to ANYTHING Jack Chick claims, including this supposed letter.

Its good to try to prove a point, but using materials from Jack Chick in a debate will destroy any credibility you would otherwise have.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

You are an idiot!

[TontoKowalski]

But then I see stuff posted about the Knights of Columbus. And it is so far off-base, that it makes me literally laugh out loud as I'm reading it.

But isn't it just a little bit maddening, too? I've actually been to a Knights of Columbus hall with a friend, not during a meeting, mind you. It looked to me to be a bunch of guys sitting around talking and enjoying themselves. Not unlike the Masonic meetings I went to years ago. Except the KofC did have a bar, which was nice.

I actually enjoy your posts. I can flat understand when you say, paraphrased: My Church forbids membership in the Masons, so it's not for me. That is a very valid argument against personal involvement with the Masons.

Now for the stupid question of the day: Is the K of C a strictly Catholic organization? I thought it was open to all of Italian descent...obviously that would make it predominantly Catholic, but not necessarily exclusively so...Also, it's men only, isn't it?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Sorry,

The first word of your post to me, says a lot about yourself.