THE ANTI-CATHOLIC NATURE OF FREEMASONRY

COMMENT: New-Church Catholics who have fully embraced the ecumenical, Romasonic Catholic creed will be shocked to learn that the "naturalism" or "universalism" preached by Masonry was condemned for centuries by the real Roman Catholic Church. Since the Grand Lodge started claiming Popes as enrolled members, the condemnations have all but ceased. For Freepers wondering what the big deal is about Fez bedecked men driving in go-carts, you're driving in the wrong direction...

FORWARD TO THINGS CATHOLICS ARE ASKED ABOUT, by MARTIN J. SCOTT : Outside the Catholic Church there is at present very great interest in things Catholic. Sincere people of other denominations are dissatisfied with the vagueness and uncertainty of their creeds and the worldly character of their churches. Sensational preaching may make a preacher popular, but does not satisfy the yearning of the religious soul for the things of the spirit. Hence, many earnest people, thoroughly dissatisfied with religion as they find it, but who nevertheless realize the needs of the spiritual life, are turning to the Catholic Church with its certainty of creed and its sacramental solace and support.

Indeed it is excommunication for a Catholic to be a Freemason. Freemasons know this. Parkinson, an illustrious Mason says: "The two systems of Romanism and Freemasonry are not only incompatible, but they are radically opposed to each other" (Freemason's Chronicle, 1884, II, I7). This is so well understood that we are not surprised to know that Masons as a body do not want Catholics in their ranks. "We won't make a man a Freemason until we know that he isn't a Catholic" (Freemason's Chronicle, 1890, II, 347).

Freemasonry is a very widespread organization, and it may well be that in certain localities and among certain groups these sentiments toward Catholicism and Catholics do not prevail. However, all that I shall say with regard to Freemasonry characterizes the order as it shows itself in its constitutions and as it has manifested itself in its activities.

I have met Freemasons who have assured me that there was nothing in their organization which was in any way opposed to the Catholic Church. These were sincere men, and doubtless spoke from personal knowledge. Some of these men were high up in the order and respected it greatly. These men were converts to the Catholic faith. They left Freemasonry because they understood that they could not be Catholics and Freemasons.

In considering Freemasonry, we must keep in mind the distinction between the order and the individual. One may be opposed to the Republican or Democratic party and yet esteem the individual members of the party. In considering Freemasonry we have in mind the order as an order, its essential and practical attitude toward the Catholic Church. In the first place it is necessary to say that very few of the rank and file of Freemasonry are acquainted with the real purpose of the order. This may sound strange, considering that Freemasons are for the most part men of superior intelligence. It seems so strange that I feel I must give authority for the statement. "Brethren high in rank and office, are often unacquainted with the elementary principles of the science of Freemasonry" (Oliver, Theocratic Philosophy, 355). "Masons may be fifty years masters of the Chair and yet not learn the secret of the Brotherhood" (Oliver, Hist. Landmarks, I, 11, 21). There is no higher authority on Freemasonry than Oliver, himself a Freemason.

The fact that the real purpose and aim of the order is so little known to the generality of Masons explains why it is that Masons themselves, in all sincerity, will declare that the purpose of the order is mainly fraternal and philanthropic. However, we shall see for ourselves, by the clearest evidence, what the real purpose of the order is. The Catholic Church is the greatest encourager on earth of fraternalism and philanthropy. She is also the best informed organization in the world. Unless, in fact, Freemasonry was opposed to what she fundamentally stands for, she never would be opposed to it as she is. In point of fact Catholic Freemasonry existed for centuries as a benevolent and fraternal organization before the birth of the present non-Catholic Masonry. Catholic Freemasonry took its origin from the guilds of the middle ages. Stonemasons had their guilds as well as other crafts. Each local group had its own guild. Certain skilled masons used to travel from place to place wherever there was a Gothic cathedral in course of erection. These masons in coming to a new place had to be acknowledged by the local guild before they could practice their craft. For this purpose they carried with them certificates that they were qualified masons and free to work in any place. Hence they were called freemasons, not being restricted to a local guild. These freemasons formed a guild of their own, with a code of signs and passwords. All talk about the antiquity of Freemasonry is myth, pure and simple. Freemasonry, as it exists to-day, began with the foundation of the Grand Lodge of England, June 24, 1717. In the beginning it was just a social organization. By degrees it developed into its present form and purpose. Modern Freemasonry is not a continuation of the Catholic freemason guilds which preceded it. The Catholic guilds were formed by craftsmen who, as said previously, went from one city or country to another, wherever a Gothic cathedral was being erected, in order to help in its construction. On the decline of Gothic architecture Catholic Freemasonry ceased to exist, or rather was absorbed by local guilds. Freemasonry as it now exists is absolutely a non-Catholic foundation of the beginning of the eighteenth century. It was introduced into the United States about the year 1730, and subsequently into France, Germany, Italy, and Europe generally.

Why is the Catholic Church opposed to Freemasonry? The shortest and best answer is because Freemasonry is opposed to the Catholic Church. Even to some Freemasons this statement will come as a shock. But we must remember what was said previously by authoritative men of the order, that the rank and file of Masonry are ignorant of its real significance. Moreover, Masonry in this country and in England has not openly adopted the measures against the Catholic Church which have been employed by Freemasonry in France, Italy, and other Continental countries. In fact, English and American Freemasonry have endeavored to deny connection with the revolutionary and anti-religious Freemasonry of Continental Europe. But only they attempt to do this who are not initiated in the real inner purposes of the order. In proof of this let me say, that when the English public was shocked at the anarchistic and irreligious activities of Continental Freemasonry, and disclaimed fraternity with these societies, it called forth a protest from authoritative Masonic sources. In the Official Bulletin, 1885, VII, 29, we find the following reprimand of English Freemasonry for its denial of union with Continental, by no less a personage than Pike himself, who of all men should know the nature of the fraternity. "When the journal in London which speaks of the Freemasonry of the Grand Lodges of England, deprecatingly protested that the English Freemasonry was innocent of the charges preferred by the Papal Bull, and that it did not sympathize with the loose opinions and extravagant utterances of part of the Continental Freemasonry, it was very justly and very conclusively checkmated by the Romish organs, with the reply, 'It is idle for you to protest, you are Freemasons. You give them countenance, encouragement, and support, and you are jointly responsible with them and cannot shirk that responsibility.'" These are hard and plain words to be applied to the order by one who held highest position in it.

In further confirmation let me quote from the Cyclopedia of Fraternities, p. XV. "Few who are well informed on the subject will deny that the Masonic fraternity is directly or indirectly the parent organization of all modern secret societies, good, bad and indifferent." The activities of Continental Masonry became so revolutionary that they occasioned the following communication from the Registrator of the London Grand Lodge to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. "We feel that we in England are better apart from such people. Indeed Freemasonry is in such bad odor on the Continent of Europe, by reason of its being exploited by Socialists and Anarchists that we may have to break off relations with more of the Grand Bodies who have forsaken our landmarks" (New Age, New York, 1909, I, 177).

Although apparently condemning the outrages of Continental Masonry, the real guiding spirits of English-speaking Freemasonry are working hand in hand with their Continental brethren. The Grand Commander of the Mother Supreme Council of the World, A. Pike, in a letter Dec. 28, 1886, to the Italian Grand Commander says: "The Papacy has been for a thousand years the torturer of humanity, the most shameless imposture in its presence to spiritual power of all ages . . . In presence of this spiritual cobra, this deadly, treacherous, murderous enemy, the most formidable power in the world, the unity of Italian Masonry is of absolute and supreme necessity . . . The Freemasonry of the world will rejoice to see accomplished and consummated the unity of the Italian Freemasonry" (Official Bulletin, Sept. 1887, 173).

In further proof that Masonry is unified the world over, let me quote a Past Grand Master, Clifford: "The absolute oneness of the craft is a glorious thought. Neither boundaries of States, nor vast oceans separate the Masonic fraternity. Everywhere it is one. There is no universal church, but there is a universal fraternity, Freemasonry" (Freemason's Chronicle, 1906, II, 132).

Individual Masons and local fraternities may be sincere in disclaiming association with the dreadful doings of the order in other lands, but it is because they do not know what is going on among those who control the activities of their order. Having demonstrated, from official and public sources, the brotherhood which exists among Freemasons the world over, let us see why the Catholic Church is opposed to the order, and excommunicates those of her subjects who join it. I shall make no charges of my own against Freemasonry, but shall let it speak for itself. Senator Delpech, President of the Grand Orient, in an address Sept. 20, 1902, said: "The triumph of the Galilean (Jesus Christ) has lasted twenty centuries. But now He dies in His turn. The mysterious voice, announcing the death of Pan (to Julian the Apostate), to-day announces the death of the impostor God. Brother Masons, we rejoice to state that we are not without our share in this overthrow of the false prophets. The Romish Church, founded on the Galilean myth, began to decay rapidly from the very day on which the Masonic association was established" (Compte-rendu Gr. Or. de France, 1902, 381). That is plain language and plain opposition to Christianity. Italian Masonry is even more radical than the French, and proclaims that it is supported by the Freemasonry of the world, and especially by the Masonic centers at Paris, Berlin, London, Madrid, Calcutta and Washington ("Riv." 1842-291; Gruber, "Mazzini" 215).

In our own country official Freemasonry's attitude toward Catholicism is seen in the following declaration: "Popery and priestcraft are so openly allied that they may be called the same. Nothing that can be named is more repugnant to Masonry, nothing to be more carefully guarded against, and this has always been well understood by all skillful masters" (Freemason's Chronicle, 1887, I. 35). In the countries where the Catholic Church has been persecuted it is well known that it was in great part the work of Masons. From the official documents of French Masonry it is manifest that all the anti-clerical measures passed in the French Parliament were decreed beforehand in the Masonic lodges, and executed under the direction of the Grand Orient. Masse, the official orator of the Assembly of 1898, declared that: "It is the supreme duty of Freemasonry to interfere each day more and more in political and profane struggles. Success (in the anticlerical combat) is in large measure due to Freemasonry. If the Bloc has been established, this is owing to Freemasonry and to the discipline learned in the lodges. For a long time Freemasonry has simply been the Republic in disguise. We are each year the funeral bell, announcing the death of a cabinet that has not done its duty, but has betrayed the Republic. We need vigilance and, above all, mutual confidence if we are to accomplish our work, as yet unfinished. This work, you know, the anti-clerical combat, is going on. The Republic must rid itself of the religious congregations, sweeping them off by a vigorous stroke; the system of half measures is everywhere dangerous, the adversary must be crushed with a single blow" (Compte-rendu Grand Orient, 1903; Nourisson, "Les Jacobins" 266-271). If that is not opposition to Christianity nothing is. The President of the 1902 Assembly said with regard to the French elections of that year, "We would have been defeated by our well organized opponents, if Freemasonry had not spread over the whole country" (Compte-rendu, 1902-153). From these declarations it is evident that Freemasonry is an active and irreconcilable opponent of Catholicism.

In some countries, our own, for instance, and England, where public opinion does not countenance irreligion, Freemasonry does not disclose its attitude toward Christianity. But in very truth, the essence of Freemasonry is opposition to revealed religion. If its main assaults are against Catholicism it is because the Catholic Church is the main bulwark of Christianity. Freemasonry employs the symbols and the terminology of religion in order the better to carry out its purpose. As said previously, American and English Masons among the rank and file are unacquainted with the real purpose of the order. They even praise Freemasonry as an upholder of religion, and quote their ritual to prove it. But the religion which Freemasonry upholds is the religion which ignores the revelation of Jesus Christ, and assails the doctrines which His divinely instituted Church proclaims. "The two systems of Romanism and Freemasonry are not only incompatible, but they are radically opposed to each other" (Freemason's Chronicle, 1884, II., 17). Hence Voltaire, who spent his life fighting Christianity, was welcomed into the ranks of Freemasonry by solemn initiation, Feb. 7, 1778, and received the Masonic garb from no less a personage than the famous Helvetius (Handbuch, 3rd ed., II. 517).

This was at a time when Voltaire was employing all his resources to destroy the Church of Christ. Continental Freemasonry is unquestionably anti-Christian. This is so evident that English and American Masons have endeavored to repudiate connection with the French and Italian fraternities. But those who are in the secret of Masonic activities and aims, know, and have declared that the aims of the order are the same the world over, expediency dictating that they be camouflaged in certain places and under certain conditions. As said before, the individual Mason may or may lot know the secret purpose of the order. Most of the members, even those in advanced degrees, look upon the order as simply Fraternal and philanthropic. In our characterization of the order we specify the order only, and its essential aims, not the individuals who compose it, most of whom would never join it if they knew its real nature.

In the United States, in many places, Freemasons and Catholics Fraternize in society, business, and sport. In certain localities Freemasonry has actually joined hands with Catholic organizations for social and other undertakings. In point of fact Freemasonry has officially praised one of the foremost organizations of the Catholic Church in the United States. The following statement concerning the Knights of Columbus speaks for itself: "The ceremonial of the order teaches a high and noble patriotism, instills a love of country, inculcates a reverence for law and order, urges the conscientious and unselfish performance of civic duty, and holds up the Constitution of our country as the richest and most precious possession of a Knight of the Order" (Committee of Masons, Report on the Knights of Columbus).

This tribute to a distinctively Catholic fraternity was doubtless given in good faith, and with good intention, on the part of those who issued the report. This is perfectly compatible with the real opposition of the order, as an order, to the Catholic Church. Let as recall the words of Oliver, a Freemason himself, and one of its highest authorities: "Masons may be fifty years Masters of the Chair and yet not learn the secret of the Brotherhood" (Oliver, Hist. Landmarks, I, 11, 21). Moreover, when English-speaking Masonry was appalled at the anarchistic and anti-religious activities of Continental Masonry, and protested against it, Pike, a Mason in highest office in the United States, declared officially that English-speaking Masonry could not repudiate or disown the European aims and activities of the order, since the aims of Freemasonry were the same the world over.

In time of war the soldiers in the ranks, and often commissioned officers, know little or nothing of the plans and purposes of their superior officers. They have no personal hostility to the soldiers of the enemy army, often fraternizing with them when occasion offers. Notwithstanding this, the two armies are opposed to each other, and the men in the ranks, without knowing the mind of the commanding general, are executing his commands and carrying out his purposes. It is against the enemy, as an organized opposition, and not against individual soldiers, that war is declared and fought. A government would condemn a subject as guilty of treason if he went over to the enemy ranks. This is what the Catholic Church does if one of her subjects joins the Freemasons. She knows, not from hearsay, but from official documents, and from actual hostilities, that Freemasonry, as an institution, is unequivocally and essentially opposed to her. She stands for revealed religion. Freemasonry ignores revelation, and in European countries openly employs all its resources to crush the one Church which upholds in its entirety the religion of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church would be a coward, and a traitor to her trust if she did not oppose Freemasonry, and excommunicate any of her subjects who joined its ranks. In the words of a high Masonic authority quoted previously, "The two systems of Romanism and Freemasonry are not only incompatible, but they are radically opposed to each other" (Parkinson, Freemason's Chronicle, 1884, II, 17).

Recently two facts have made it evident that Masonry in the United States is subtly engaged in warfare on the Catholic Church. It is known that the Oregon School law was directed against parochial schools. This law was instigated by the Scottish Rite Masons of the Southern Jurisdiction, and sponsored by P. S. Malcolm, sovereign grand inspector general in Oregon for the Scottish Rite Masons.

Very recently a society calling itself the "American Prohibition Protestant Patriotic Protective Alliance" which has for its real object warfare on Catholicism, gave out the following statement:

"Regularly, beginning with the fall, when the active work of laying the foundation will start, the plans, policies, purposes and special utterances of the 'American Prohibition Protestant Patriotic Protective Alliance' will find expression through The Fellowship Forum, published in Washington.

This publication, which has grown 'from an idea to a million in four years,' is already the world's greatest Protestant interfraternal newspaper, and probably has more circulation than any dozen to fifteen of the leading journals of as many of the largest Protestant denominations. It prints the news of all the leading Protestant fraternal orders, but is not owned or officially controlled by any of them. Its control is vested in individuals all of whom are thirty-third degree Masons" (New York Times, June 25, 1925)."

Notwithstanding this open declaration, there are some frivolous Catholics who see no harm in Freemasonry, and criticize the Church for condemning her subjects for joining it. As well say there is no harm in a soldier joining the enemy ranks in time of war. Freemasonry is at war with Catholicism. If these same persons assumed such an attitude toward the enemy of their country they would be set down as traitors. Our government knows who and what her enemies are. So does the Catholic Church know her opponents. In Italy and France she beholds spiritual devastation from Freemasonry more destructive and deplorable than the material damage wrought by the World War in these countries. And official Masonry proclaims unity of aim of Freemasonry throughout the world. In some countries it has subordinated the public welfare to its own aims. It has been active in bringing about legislation not only hostile to religion but to the State also. In Italy, Freemasonry was gradually supplanting the government. As proof I quote the following from her greatest statesman and staunchest patriot. "It is an outrage that the highest functionaries of state should frequent the lodges, inform the lodges, take orders from the lodges. It is inadmissible; it must end" (Mussolini, in Italian Parliament). If the Catholic Church were not opposed to Freemasonry, the most surprised organization in the world would be Freemasonry itself.

Imagine what a disloyal organization the Catholic Church would be if she were not opposed to a society whose spokesmen thus characterized her founder: "The triumph of the Galilean (Jesus Christ) has lasted twenty centuries. But now He dies in His turn. The Roman Church, founded on the Galilean myth, began to decay rapidly from the very day on which the Masonic association was established" (Compte-rendu Gr. Or. de France, 1902, 381).

Is it surprising, in view of this declaration, that American Masonry has officially stated, "We won't make a man a Freemason until we know that he isn't a Catholic" (Freemason's Chronicle, 1890, II, 347). A Catholic should consider himself bereft of self-respect to join an organization essentially opposed to his religion, and which, furthermore, proclaims that it does not want him unless he is a renegade to his faith. Let us, as Catholics' trust our Church as much as citizens trust their government. Let us be at least as loyal to our Church as we are to our country. No self-respecting citizen would turn his back on his country and go over to the ranks of his country's professed enemy. Freemasonry, let it be repeated, is the professed enemy of Catholicism. No Catholic with any sense of loyalty or a spark of faith will join the ranks of Freemasonry. Freemasonry offers many social and business inducements to its members. That explains how it recruits an army of followers whom it uses in its own way, often unknown to the many, to carry out its purpose, just as a skilled military board uses an immense army to do its will. No Catholic at heart can even think of giving support to the Church's sworn enemy. The most authentic documents proclaim Masonry to be the uncompromising foe of Catholicism. The Catholic who becomes a Mason has ceased to be a Catholic. Benedict Arnold received many emoluments and high distinction for going over to the enemy. But Benedict Arnold was despised even by those who used him.

Masonry has the trappings of religion, but of a religion which is its own, not Christ's. In order to gain the support of Christian men against Christianity, it employs symbols and a ritual which impress the observer. It needs a great army in order to carry out its purpose. It is closely united throughout the world in its aims. It has shown its hand where it could do so, with the result that it is in open war on religion in most Continental countries, and also in some South American countries.

It seeks to destroy revealed religion, and to establish in its stead a religion of naturalism. Hence its aim is to destroy Catholicism, the one religion in the world which effectually maintains the religion of Jesus Christ. The rank and file of Masonry are for the most part, and especially in this country, ignorant of the real purpose of the organization. The Catholic Church is opposed to Freemasonry as an organization sworn to her destruction. Toward Freemasons, personally, the Church has the kindest regard. Christ, who condemned sin, loved the sinner and gave His life for his salvation. The Church condemns Freemasonry, but would make every sacrifice for the spiritual welfare of the individual Mason. If the Catholic Church were not opposed to Masonry she would be false to Christ. The Catholic who joins Freemasonry is as much a traitor to Christ as was Benedict Arnold to his country. This is plain speech, but true, and no one knows it better than the guiding spirits of Masonry. The religion of Masonry is naturalism. The religion of Christ is supernaturalism. They are as incompatible as darkness and light. Christ is the Light of the world. This Light will shine to the end of the world. Many have tried to extinguish it, but today it is brighter than ever. Masonry will pass away, as so many of its predecessors have done. But Christ's Church will endure to the end. He who is God has said it.

Imprimi Potest: Laurence J. Kelly, S.J. Prapositus Prov. Marylandia Neo-Eboracensis

Dedicated To James A. Flaherty, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus, Whose Life and Character are an Incentive to Loyalty to God and Country, this Volume is Dedicated with the Esteem of the Author

Shriner's Orthopaedic and Burn Care Hospitals
http://www.masonicinfo.com/shrinehosp.htm

Given without charge to children for over 75 years!

As one Shriner put it, "We can't put a price on what we do for these children so we do it for free!"

For those living in Mexico, the US or Canadian, these hospitals are pretty well known. What is not always known is that all Shriners are Masons! There are 22 hospitals throughout the United States: three for treatment of burns and 19 which address crippled children's medical problems.

The first Shriners Hospital opened in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1922 and the first Burns Institute opened in Galveston, Texas in 1966. To date, the Shriners have spent over $3 billion dollars on hospital operating costs and over $7 million on construction and renovation.

The number of children helped to date is nearing 550,000 and all care is free! The one department which is never found in a Shrine Hospital is a billing department. Funds for this come from gifts, bequests, income from the endowment fund, hospital fund-raising events, and the annual hospital assessment paid by every Shriner (of which there are approximately 600,000).

If you'd like to find out more about the Shriners Hospitals, you can also go to the Shrine Hospitals web site and if you'd like to read some really heart-warming patient success stories, they've got some right here.

Shrine Football

Football fans also know of the Shrine Hospitals through the Annual East-West Shrine Football Classic and Pageant which was begun in 1925. During the past ten years, the game has drawn an average of 70,000 fans, by far the largest attendance of any college all-star game. Over the years, "Football's Finest Hour" has raised more than $14 million dollars to provide quality medical care free of charge to children of every race and religion.

In addition, throughout the United States, there are hundreds of high school post-season football games also played for the benefit of the Shrine Hospitals. For many graduating seniors, it is their last competitive football game but the one they'll remember with the fondest memories, despite the other accolades they may have received while playing. An essential part of game preparation is a trip to a local Shrine Children's Hospital so that these athletes will see the children they're helping.

The motto of all Shrine football games is:

"Strong Legs Run That Weak Legs May Walk."

CONTACTING SHRINERS HOSPITALS

If you know of a child who might benefit from care at a Shrine Burns or Crippled Children's facility, contact ANY Shriner or call one of our toll-free patient referral lines between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. In the United States: 1-800-237-5055. In Canada: 1-800-361-7256.

For emergency burn admissions to one of the Shriners Hospitals that treat burns, the referring physician should telephone the chief of staff at the Shriners Hospital in Boston, Cincinnati, Galveston, Tex., or Sacramento, California and indicate the patient needs emergency care. Emergency care is not available at the orthopaedic hospitals. Non-emergency admissions of burn patients for reconstructive or plastic surgery can be arranged in the same manner as orthopaedic admissions at the nearest Shriners Hospital for Children.

New material that has been added recently to the Shrine and Shriners Hospitals Web Site includes:

CHILD-FRIENDLY MURAL

Dentist's passion for art brings fantasies to life

IN THE NEWS

Three Shriners Hospitals physicians receive recognition

VIEWPOINT

Beyond rehab: A 'wellness' program for severely burned children By David N. Herndon, M.D.

TEDDY BEAR TIME

Special week at burn hospital focuses on well-being and its role in healing

NEW LEASE ON LIFE

Hess twins receive burn care beyond compare

At A Glance

News from around Shriners Hospitals for Children

And don't forget: a new search engine has been added to the Shriners Web site, to help you find specific items of information more easily. Just go to http://www.shrinershq.org/searchxav.html Information on each individual Shriners Hospital can be accessed through the hospital directory page at http://www.shrinershq.org/shc/

Caring and Concern: Masonic Charities
http://www.masonicinfo.com/caring.htm

We've put together some separate pages on some Masonic charities and you can click on those in the left margin. They are the very visible ones which many will recognize. In addition, though, there are many, many others which address health concerns.

Kids Helping Kids

The International Order of Job's Daughters plays an important role in serving the community, visiting hospitals and homes for the elderly to offer friendship to people who might be lonely and sad. They have food drives and other activities to provide for the less fortunate.

Their charity, the Hearing Impaired Kid's Endowment (The HIKE Fund), provides hearing assistive devices for children in need. Popular "hikes for HIKE," provide a special charitable service to communities. Their work with hearing-impaired children has led many local groups, called Bethels, to learn sign language. These young women are rightfully proud to be "kids helping kids! "

The Small Island with the Large Heart

Jersey is the smallest Province of the United Grand Lodge of England, supporting just eleven Lodges. Jersey, however, is not within the United Kingdom, having been a possession of the Duke of Normandy long before 1066. It is part of the Channel Islands and is an island of just 45 square miles, situated about fourteen miles off the coast of France.

Freemasonry in Jersey is alive and well despite its size and tribulations which included the sacking of their Masonic Temples by Hitler's troops. In 1996/7 their donations to charity totaled £35,000. Of this, £17,000 was given to the Masonic Trust for Boys and Girls but local charities who benefited during this period included The Order of St.John - £5,500 was donated to supply specialized equipment for ambulances [neck collars, spinal boards, life support resuscitation items]; The Jersey Health Service - £6,750 was donated to purchase paramedic equipment used in front line ambulances, to measure oxygen status and other vital signs of critically ill patients; National Autistic Society - £3,100 to purchase a lightwriter machine to enable a seven year old boy to communicate; Motor Neurone Disease Association £3,100 to help purchase equipment for a Jersey family [mother of three young children, greatly handicapped by the disease]; and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide £250 to assist with the costs of setting up a local branch.

Having raised a total of some £600,000 for Masonic and non-Masonic charities over the past 37 years, our Jersey Brethren can be rightfully proud of their Masonic charity -- and all this with a total of only some 700 Masons!

Canadian Scottish Rite Cares

At its Annual Session in 1964 the Scottish Rite of Canada's Supreme Council resolved to establish a vehicle through which to practice that virtue that every mason professes to admire -- namely charity. Their Foundation was established and provided that all donations would be immediately capitalized but only the income earned by the capital -- to the extent of at least 90% -- would be required to be disbursed annually.

The terms of incorporation, were designed to permit the Foundation to support one or more charities which carried on its work solely within Canada, and to vary the selection as it saw fit. However, from its incorporation the Directors resolved to concentrate its efforts in support of research into the causes of and hopefully eventual cure of, intellectual disability, initially as it affected children, and later, as well, as it affected persons of advanced years in the form of Alzheimer's Disease.

The Foundation has worked closely with the Roeher Institute, which is recognized for its expertise in the field of research affecting persons with an intellectual impairment and other disabilities. Research is funded by the Foundation through the Institute.

The Institute provides professional assistance to the Foundation in the adjudication of requests for bursary and research awards, and in the choice of major grant recipients in physical/biological and socio/economic research. Millions of dollars have been disbursed as the result of the generosity of donors, members of the rite, and others.

Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center

Part of the University of Minnesota's Academic Health Center, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center was established in 1991 to bring together the university's cancer-related research, education, patient care and community outreach efforts. More than 300 individuals from a variety of disciplines are members of the Cancer Center.

The Masonic Cancer Research Building opened in 1996 and provides Cancer Center researchers a state-of-the-art environment for multidisciplinary research. The $20.4 million building was funded through private donations, including a $5million donation from the Masonic Cancer Center Fund.

The University of Minnesota has been a leader, nationally and internationally, in cancer research and patient care for decades. The Cancer Center is especially strong in the areas of leukemia, childhood cancers, bone tumors, women's cancers, head and neck cancers and cancer prevention. Noteworthy achievements by faculty include:

The first successful bone marrow transplant for immune deficiency and lymphoma
and a pioneer in the use of umbilical cord blood for transplants.

Major contributions to increasing the survival rate for children's cancers from 10
percent in 1959 to 70 percent today.

Pioneering the establishment of medical oncology as a formal discipline.

Discovering the cancer-preventing qualities of many foods, including cabbage and
related vegetables.

Being among the first to note the health hazards of cigarette smoking and the
addictiveness of nicotine.

Another example of Masonic Caring Concern....

Located on the grounds of the Masonic Home in Utica, New York, USA, The Masonic Medical Research Laboratory has been doing important work since its creation 40 years ago to conduct basic biomedical research, with an emphasis on heart disease.

The lab research has had nationwide and worldwide attention. The dozen international research scientists at the local lab pool their expertise to explore the many manifestations of heart disease. The Laboratory is also committed to providing education and training to basic scientists and clinical researchers who would perpetuate and extend the fight against disease. 84% of the Laboratory's budget goes to research and Masons from various parts of the United States and the world are pleased to participate in their support.

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The Yankee Stadium event was one where a pastor of the Atlantic District prayed in the Oprah event for 9-11 in Yankee stadium. Along with Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and a whole assortment of other groups. The problems (as I stated in post 220) is that implies that all those religions point to the same god. Which they don't.

It implies that all those religions point to the same god--OR, that all religions are OK, WHICHEVER god they point to. The problem can be expressed either way.

But the event isn't quite that simple. Of all the Christian leaders present, Benecke (if I spelled his name right) was the only one to pray out loud in the name of Jesus Christ. Which caused a lot of discomfort from the others on the podium with him. Also, he got permission to participate from his district president before hand.

It was Atlantic District President Benke, and he received permission from LCMS Synodical President Kieschnick. But the fact that he received permission from Kieschnick does not make it right.

Also, Benke was not the only one to mention Jesus. And nobody on the podium showed any "discomfort" with Benke afterwards; instead, they applauded and hugged him. Mentioning Jesus is OK, as long as you do not make Jesus the ONLY way, thus indicating that the other religions are wrong.

Mentioning Jesus does not make it right. For Benke did not make clear who Jesus is or what Jesus did. Benke said or did nothing to make clear that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, is the only Savior from sin, and that all other roads are dead ends. In other words, Benke fed the notion prevalent that day and in our culture that Jesus is a fine option for Christians, but there are other ways that work for other people. It's the smorgasbord-of-spiriutality approach that these interfaith prayer services teach.

The "inside" part of it is that the reason it became such a charged issue was that those who blasted him for the event did so partially because of a recent Synod election.

I blasted Benke and Kieschnick because what they did was a disgrace to the gospel of Jesus Christ and it confirmed unbelievers in their false beliefs. I blasted--and still blast--Benke and Kieschnick because they covered up what they did with misinformation about what really happened. I blasted Benke and Kieschnick because Benke violated his 1998 public apology and assurance--required of him when the LCMS had a better synodical president--never to participate in interfaith prayer services again.

Personally, I am not that comfortable with a pastor praying with other religions, but in the way he did it he at least prayed to Jesus. So it was not the best thing, but not a huge deal.

It was, and still is, a huge deal. Kieschnick and his cohorts have used this situation to change the Synod.

"I must believe that my Church is not the exclusive path to heaven since His flock was not to be one."

I'd just like to point out that your statement contradicts infallibly defined Catholic dogma, which clearly states that the Catholic Church is the exclusive path to Heaven, expressed countless times by the Church and most clearly at the Council of Florence in Cantate Domino:

"It (The Catholic Church) firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart "into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church."

In fact, the proposition that there are many paths is what St. Paul rebuked the possessed woman for in Acts chaper 16. While the Douay Rheims is excellent, this is one instance in which it fails a proper translation, as it should read "a way" instead of "the way":

"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl, having a pythonical spirit, met us, who brought to her masters much gain by divining. This same following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, who preach unto you the way of salvation. And this she did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned, and said to the spirit: I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to go out from her. And he went out the same hour."

A proper translation from the Greek should read "a way", and this is in fact why St. Paul rebuked the spirit, as it was engaged in the sophistry of the proposal of many paths. Once this is understood, the entire passage makes sense whereas it does not when rendered "the way", as there would have been no reason to rebuke her for saying it.

Lastly, Freemasonry seeks to suppress the dogma "outside the Church there is no salvation" as well as the teaching of the Church that the state is to be subject to the Church.

In total, your opinion expressed of "many paths" something of Freemasonry, but it is certain not an opinion which is any manner Catholic, as the opinion has been condemned infallibly by the Catholic Church.

Just a couple more nails in the coffin of a bad opinion... Pope Pius IX, Syllabus of Errors:

"(It is an error to say that) every man is free to embrace and profess that religion which, guided by the light of reason, he shall consider true, (or to say that) man may, in the observance of any religion whatever, find the way of eternal salvation, and arrive at eternal salvation, (or to say that) good hope at least is to be entertained of the eternal salvation of all those who are not at all in the true Church of Christ, (or to say that) Protestantism is nothing more than another form of the same true Christian religion, in which form it is given to please God equally as in the Catholic Church."

Also didn't know about President K making a promise not to allow anymore interfaith services. When did he do that? I didn't know it was a previous issue.

It was District President Benke who signed a public apology and assurance to the Synod in October of 1998, after he had participated in a previous interfaith prayer service in September of that year. That was under President Barry:

From the Office of The President
The Reverend Dr. A.L. Barry

A STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD

October 22, 1998

On September 9, 1998, the Rev. Dr. David Benke, President of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, participated in an interfaith prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The service included representatives of non-Christian religions, and also representatives of Christian churches with which our Synod is not in fellowship.

On October 22, 1998, the President of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry, met with President Benke in St. Louis, Missouri. Also present at the meeting were the Missouri Synod's First through Fifth Vice-Presidents, and the First Vice-President of the Atlantic District. As a result of this meeting, President Benke acknowledged that what he did, though well intended, was wrong. He indicated that his participation in an interfaith prayer service was a direct violation of the Holy Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and consequently, a violation of the Missouri Synod's Constitution, Bylaws and doctrinal resolutions, and therefore, a violation of his duties as an elected officer of the Synod. President Benke made a sincere and public apology to the Synod for his actions in this connection. Finally, President Benke gave his assurance that he would not repeat this error in the future by participating as an officiant in any ecumenical service.

President Barry said, "With President Benke's apology, this incident has been properly addressed and resolved."

A STATEMENT OF APOLOGY BY PRESIDENT DAVID BENKE

On September 9, 1998, I participated in an interfaith prayer service for the poor entitled: "Lift Up the Poor With the Voices of Faith." The service included representatives of non-Christian religions, and also representatives of Christian churches with which our Synod is not in fellowship. My participation in this service was a direct violation of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and consequently, a violation of the Constitution, Bylaws and doctrinal resolutions of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. I also recognize and admit that my participation in this interfaith prayer service was a violation of my duties and responsibilities as an elected officer of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

While well-intended, what I did was wrong. I therefore sincerely and publicly apologize to the Synod for my actions in this connection. I assure the Synod that I will not repeat this error in the future by participating as an officiant in ecumenical services.

(signed)
The Reverend Doctor David Benke
President, The Atlantic District
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

October 22, 1998
(In signing this statement I understand that I am not abrogating my rights found in Synod's Handbook Bylaw 2.39c)

But Barry died in 2001 and Kieschnick was elected. Then Benke violated his promise and participated in an interfaith prayer service on September 23, 2001--with Kieschnick's approval.

Reductio: No religious thread involving Catholicism would be complete without the intervention of the schismatics of SSPX who imagine themselves and only themselves to be the one true Catholic Church whatever Pope John Paul the Grat may have thought when he banished their leaders and adherents as excommunicated schismatics.

Expert as you claim to be, would the leaders and adherents of the Society of Saint Pius X (dishonoring his memory by misusing his name in service to their schism) be excluded from salvation by their schismatic status, under the definition you quoted from the 15th century Council of Florence????

Do you feel a need to govern God's judgment by telling Hm what He can and cannot do in respect to individual judgment and the eternal disposition of those to be judged?

Is it not the actual Catholic position that salvation is attained THROUGH the Roman Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) Church and that salvation is available to many more than the formal members of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy? And NOT to all Catholics or Eastern Orthodox since being in the state of grace is also necessary. AND that if God judges otherwise in any specific cases, we are in no position to disagree with God's judgment???? AND that the Church (Mystical Body of Christ) extends well beyond the mere borders of formal membership in the Roman Catholic Church to those known as "separated brethren"????

May I take for granted that you assert that each and every person who, after, say, the first Pentecost, died other than as a formal member of the Roman Catholic Church, regardless of moral merit, regardless of opportunity or lack thereof to even hear of Catholicism much less be baptized into it, has gone to hell, including the excommunicated schismatics such as SSPXers and Feeneyites?????

MWT, RG, NP: My apologies for those who claim to be Catholic.

"Reductio: No religious thread involving Catholicism would be complete without the intervention of the schismatics of SSPX who imagine themselves and only themselves to be the one true Catholic Church whatever Pope John Paul the Grat may have thought when he banished their leaders and adherents as excommunicated schismatics."

I have no idea how the SSPX even enters this discussion.

"Expert as you claim to be, would the leaders and adherents of the Society of Saint Pius X (dishonoring his memory by misusing his name in service to their schism) be excluded from salvation by their schismatic status, under the definition you quoted from the 15th century Council of Florence????"

Those Catholics who would willingly and obstinately deny the infallibly defined dogma "outside the Church there is no salvation", after having been shown that this is indeed what the Church teaches, would be included under the heretics made reference to the Council of Florence's Cantate Domino quoted above. I'm not an SSPX priest nor do I assist at Masses provided by the SSPX. You would have to take those people on a case by case basis to find out if they in any way are in violation of unity with the Church. I don't have time for that, nor am I interested in doing or discussing that, as it does not relate to this discussion in any way whatsoever.

"Do you feel a need to govern God's judgment by telling Hm what He can and cannot do in respect to individual judgment and the eternal disposition of those to be judged?"

I'd simply deny that I have felt or expressed any such need, which is the truth, and point to the fact that I have only restated Catholic dogma. I'd then posit that you are misrepresenting your opposition in this discussion.

"Is it not the actual Catholic position that salvation is attained THROUGH the Roman Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) Church and that salvation is available to many more than the formal members of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy?"

No; "through the Church" is theologically incorrect.

"And NOT to all Catholics or Eastern Orthodox since being in the state of grace is also necessary. AND that if God judges otherwise in any specific cases, we are in no position to disagree with God's judgment????"

I'd simply ask, in response, who is any Catholic to disagree with the Church, which Church has clearly and infallibly defined that there is no salvation outside of Her?

"AND that the Church (Mystical Body of Christ) extends well beyond the mere borders of formal membership in the Roman Catholic Church to those known as "separated brethren"????

No, as Pope Leo XIII clearly stated in Mystici Corporis Christi, the Mystical Body of Christ and the Catholic Church are synonymous.

"May I take for granted that you assert that each and every person who, after, say, the first Pentecost, died other than as a formal member of the Roman Catholic Church, regardless of moral merit, regardless of opportunity or lack thereof to even hear of Catholicism much less be baptized into it, has gone to hell, including the excommunicated schismatics such as SSPXers and Feeneyites?????"

You may take it for granted that the Church has clearly and infallibly defined that all those who die outside the Ark, the Catholic Church, are lost for all eternity. They must first enter the Church, and remain within her until death, as the Church has most clearly stated.

"MWT, RG, NP: My apologies for those who claim to be Catholic."

Yes indeed. My apologies as well, as it seems not everyone wants to believe and profess the Catholic truth.

This is the link to the article you requested:

Angelus Press article on Baptism of Desire

Some excerpts from this SSPX article:

. . .

God can give "Baptism of Desire"

2/ Yet God is not bound by the Laws He has set: as He sometimes produces an effect in the natural order bypassing the ordinary secondary causes He had established (this is what is called "a MIRACLE"), so also He can sometimes produce the grace in souls bypassing the ordinary secondary causes, i.e. without the exterior sign of the Sacrament: this is a miracle in the supernatural order, e.g. Christ walked on the waters: he produced an effect (to support his body above the water) without the natural cause (a solid ground), thus not following the Law of gravity. In the same way, He can give His grace and open Heaven to a soul without the waters of Baptism, (The Fathers, St. Cyprian, St. Augustine give the example of the penitent thief). The same is true after Baptism, if one loses sanctifying grace by a mortal sin, God can restore it in this soul even before the actual reception of the Sacrament of Confession, by a perfect contrition. Thus the possibility of Baptism of desire.

. . .

Some souls in Heaven died with only Baptism of Desire

5/ Yet it may and did happen that SOME DIED BEFORE they could fulfil this good will, and God counts the will for the fact. God does not ask the impossible; if, without fault on one's part, such a person with Baptism of desire (or perfect contrition) is prevented from the exterior reception of the Sacrament before his death, he can still go to Heaven. This FACT of Baptism of desire is undeniable. It is a truth solidly established in the History of the Church and asserted in the writings of the Saints and Popes (see references below) that God did and does save souls, giving them His grace (the interior grace of Baptism) without the Sacrament (exterior sign) of Baptism (they receive the sacramental grace without the sacramental sign). Baptism of Desire is Not a Sacrament

6/ One must notice that "Baptism of desire" is NOT A SACRAMENT; it does not have the exterior sign required in the sacraments. The theologians, following St. Thomas Aquinas, Prince of theologians, call it "Baptism" only because it produces the GRACE of Baptism; yet it does not produce the sacramental character. St. Thomas calls it "Baptism of Flame," because it is the Flame of the Holy Ghost giving the Light of Faith and burning love of Charity in the soul. (See below about the character of Baptism).

Note also that the Baptism of blood, according to St. Thomas, is even more perfect than the Baptism of water, because of the greater conformity with Our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, source of all graces. Hence Baptism of blood washes away all the punishment due to sin. All the Doctors have taught that Martyrdom leads directly to Heaven!

However Baptism of desire (possibly) does not wash away all the punishment due to sin. Thus after baptism of desire, one might still have to pass through purgatory. See Innocent II below who orders prayers and sacrifices for such souls. St. Thomas teaches explicitly this in IIIa qu.68 a.2 ad.2m.

...

"Outside the Church, there is no salvation."

8/ One direct consequence of the previous point #7 is that these souls do belong to the Mystical Body of Christ, which IS the Catholic Church. St. Thomas, in his only question in the whole Summa dealing with the Church (IIIa qu 8), teaches that union "actu—in act" with Christ is essentially by this sanctifying grace with Faith, Hope and Charity (article 3). Those who do not have the Faith are only united with Him "in potentia", i.e. they CAN become united with Him, but are not yet united with Him. Thus this Catholic Doctrine on Baptism of Desire is far from opposed to the Dogma "Outside of the Catholic Church there is no salvation!" The exterior union with the Church, by submission to the authorities of the Church is just the natural consequences of the ulterior Faith, Hope and Charity; this is manifest in the Catechumens, who already follow the directives of the Church; this is visible in the others too by their docility to listen to the Church when they get to know Her properly.

The Doctrine of Baptism of Desire is useful to manifest the PRIMACY of the interior union with Christ, by the True Faith, "living Faith" (see James II 26), "Faith working through charity" (Gal. VI 5). The exterior union with the Church, without this living Faith, is not sufficient for salvation!

Some Examples

9/ How do they receive this sanctifying grace? It may be at the time one is taking instructions to become Catholic: i.e. a catechumen; thus in the mission countries, where the missionary was passing every six months, a catechumen who would already believe and practice the Catholic Faith, though he would not yet be baptized, if he dies in such a state could go to Heaven; this may be the most common case. This first example is the one given in the Catechism of the Council of Trent.

It may be through the ministry of Angels, like in the Old Testament (see also the second example of Chartres below).

It may be through reading the Holy Bible; thus suppose a protestant missionary in Siberia dropped a bible at someone's home, if the person read it, believes and puts in practice what God said there (the Bible is Catholic!), that person has the Catholic Faith and Charity, and could go to Heaven if he/she died before being baptized.

It can be just through the grace of an interior light, which God can grant to whomever He wants because He is Almighty! (See the first example below). God is not limited in His means!

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