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]

Having read a 33rd Degree Masonry text on the proper rites to worship Lucifer the Morning Star, I find the outrage of the Masons at being called incompatible to Christianity to be, shall we say, very Islamic.

[flying Elvis]

Interesting considering Dr. Williams became an honorary druid last year.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Brace yourself for the flames.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Brace yourself for the flames.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Brace yourself for the flames.

[ppaul]

[H]e said that their beliefs were incompatible with Christianity

He's right.

[HiTech RedNeck]

C. S. Lewis is spinning in his grave. (figuratively)

[ppaul]

[American in Israel]

-grin- Hey, beats terrorists.

And it is the truth. Just check it out for yourselves.

[American in Israel]

Really? A Druid! Now that is a catch. You get fifty points for that one. Makes this seem rather planned doesn't it.

[HiTech RedNeck]

www.cuttingedge.org. Tell me what's there. I'm afraid to go to the site lest my computer be possessed.

[Qwerty]

Gee.. do you have any Jack Chick tracts so we can read all about it?

Seriously, I have had two grandfathers who were Masons.. and one was a 33rd Degree. He was a carpenter, the local fire chief, and a devout Christian.

Some people just want to see Satanic influence in everything.

[RushLake]

In reality, it would be very difficult for the uninitiated to get a copy of anything pertaining to the 33rd degree. Where did you get this information? What steps have you taken to authenticate it? Are you aware that there are organizations that call themselves Masonic, but are not in any way affiliated with the craft? Are you aware that such organizations are free, under the 1st Amendment, to utter and publish any trash that they want on any subject? Are you aware that some of these organizations make up their rituals as they go along, and shape them to fit their particular circumstances no matter how hateful and ignorant they may be?

[narses]

Hasn't the Catholic Church said as much regarding FreeMasonry?

[Brian Allen]

<< Having read a 33rd Degree Masonry text on the proper rites to worship Lucifer the Morning Star, I find the outrage of the Masons at being called incompatible to Christianity to be, shall we say, very Islamic. >>

Perhaps any rebuttal to your ignorant vomitus should best begin: "Having read the Protocols of Zion ... ?"

[Junior]

Don't confuse him with facts. Besides, you're only feeding the conspiracy in his mind (you're attacking the veracity of his evidence, therefore you must be one of "them").

[anniegetyourgun]

I had a relative (by marriage) who was 33rd degree Mason. Of course, he claimed to be a Christian, but contributed little to his church while contributing lavishly to the order. (See Matt. 6:21)

That relative is now deceased, but thankfully his pastor refused to perform a Masonic funeral. I can only hope that my relative saw and accepted the true Light of the world before he passed - rather than the so-called light promised in Masonic ritual.

[Brian Allen]

<< In reality, it would be very difficult for the uninitiated to get a copy of anything pertaining to the 33rd degree. Where did you get this information? What steps have you taken to authenticate it? Are you aware that there are organizations that call themselves Masonic, but are not in any way affiliated with the craft? Are you aware that such organizations are free, under the 1st Amendment, to utter and publish any trash that they want on any subject? Are you aware that some of these organizations make up their rituals as they go along, and shape them to fit their particular circumstances no matter how hateful and ignorant they may be? >>

I would say he knows everything you have postulated to be true and should be reminded of the awful harm done to Zionism by those who claim authenticity to The Protocols of Zion!

But, then .....on second thoughts .......

[Tokhtamish]

How Episcopalian. How fundamentally gutless. Did Jesus give a damn about hurting the feelings of the scribes and Pharisees ? Did he apologize for the hurt caused by his 'insensitive' comments about 'vipers' and 'whited sepulchers' ?

Standing for Christ means standing for his truth and that means saying things that people aren't going to want to hear.