‘English Masons, both sexes, correct The New European’

    

The United Grand Lodge of England, joined by both The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honorable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, issued a rebuttal today to juvenile criticisms leveled by a member of the House of Lords published in The New European.

That periodical was launched about eight years ago to give a platform for the minority who were outvoted in the Brexit referendum, because, as you know, the globalists are voiceless. Its motto, shown at the top of the top of the banner atop its homepage reads: “Think without borders.” Yes, really.

The House of Lords member is Patience Wheatcroft, the scribe responsible for “Forget the Garrick, What about the Freemasons?” published Wednesday. (The Garrick Club, founded 1831, is a private society for actors and theater lovers that voted May 7 to admit females.) Excerpted:

Patience Wheatcroft

Gentlemen’s clubs in one guise or another have been a feature of the social scene, particularly in London, for centuries while women have enjoyed their own institutions too. Those who were determined to break down the “men only” barrier in Garrick Street argued that it was a special case because really important matters were being discussed and decided by the really important people who met there and this only served to perpetuate the cruel patriarchy that persists in the UK… And right next door to the place where the Garrick’s historic vote was taken early this month–the Connaught Rooms–is the imposing Freemasons’ Hall. That’s home to the United Grand Lodge of England, an organisation which far pre-dates the Garrick and which remains firmly closed to women... This international movement lists its principles as “Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service,” all qualities that might be thought to have appeal to those of every gender and none. Undoubtedly, the movement does charitable works but there are some who suspect that its charity most decidedly begins at home.

“Every gender and none!” That phrase reveals all I need to know about our correspondent.

The Freemasons’ retort says, in part:

Beginning with the numerous claims about Freemasonry’s entry requirements, we are delighted that the author has visited the UGLE website and reflected on the organisation’s core values of Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service. While she was there, it is a shame, however, that Baroness Wheatcroft did not manage to locate the section of our website dedicated to Women Freemasons, who have been proudly meeting in this country for over 100 years. Indeed, even more simply, a cursory Google search would have revealed the websites of the two female Grand Lodges that meet in the United Kingdom, as well as their numerous social media channels. The links for all three of our websites can be found in the footer of this statement and we encourage you to peruse them at your leisure.

Read The New European piece here. Read the Masonic response here.