Anglican Leaders Accuse Freemasons of Blasphemy

YORK, England — Leaders of the Church of England today overwhelmingly endorsed a church study accusing Freemasons of blasphemy and heresy.

Some Christians find Masonic rituals disturbing and “positively evil,” said the report, which was approved 394 to 52 by the policy-making General Synod at its regular summer session. Five synod delegates abstained.

However, several speakers said Masons should not be persecuted by the church.

“The important point ought to be that there should be no undue pressure on Christians who are Freemasons, and no witch hunt,” said Bishop Stanley Booth-Clibborn of Manchester.

Archbishop of York John Habgood, the church’s second highest-ranking prelate, called Freemasonry a “fairly harmless eccentricity.”

The report said many elements of Freemasonry had religious overtones. It cited the use of rituals, chaplains, a secret name for God--”Jahbulon”--and a heretical doctrine promising salvation through good works without reference to the grace of God.

The panel found “very fundamental reasons” to question whether Freemasons should remain in the church but stopped short of recommending that any church members who also are Masons resign from the fraternal group.

There are more than 500,000 Masons in Britain, including judges, lawyers, civil servants, police officers, bank managers and clergymen.