Masonic Church of Scotland?

 It seems that some members and leaders of the Church of Scotland are in denial.

 In 1987 serious questions were raised within the Church regarding the probable incompatibility of Christians being involved in Freemasonry.  At the time thousands of men were involved in both the Church and Masonic Lodges.  As a result of concerns raised, an official two-year study of the issues was undertaken and a report issued in 1989.

 The Church of Scotland General Assembly was told in 1989 that the study revealed ‘very real theological difficulties’ with Freemasonry, and that the name of Jesus seemed to be suppressed in Masonic activities.  Church members were asked to reconsider their involvement in Freemasonry. Unlike reports from some other denominations, the Church of Scotland report fell short of actually declaring Freemasonry to be incompatible with the Church and the Christian Faith.

 Despite that 1989 call for Church of Scotland members to reconsider their Masonic involvement, Freemasonry is still common in the Church. In addition, it seems that there have been calls that Freemasons within the Church should be able to keep their membership in Masonic Lodges a secret if they wished.

 The denominational magazine, Life and Work, published an interview with Andrew Paterson, an auxiliary minister at St Leonard’s Church in Dunfermline, who is also Senior Grand Chaplain in Scotland’s Grand Lodge. Paterson claimed that the Church was ‘very compatible’ with Freemasonry. He stated: ‘I haven’t got any problems with Freemasonry at all and never have had. I think it is very compatible with the Church. I find my work being a minister in the Kirk and the enjoyment I get from being a Mason compatible. Freemasonry isn’t a substitute for the church or worship, and I can’t comprehend anybody saying it is anti-Christ. That is demonic.’

Another Church of Scotland clergyman, John Jenkinson, an auxiliary minister in Falkirk presbytery and a Masonic Past Senior Grand Chaplain, claimed he had ‘no idea’ what the problem was. Jenkinson stated: ‘I am a past senior grand chaplain, which many Church of Scotland ministers have been before me - some of them Moderators. Suddenly they are persona non grata.’

 Another Church of Scotland minister, who asked not to be named, stated that the Church’s 1989 findings and advice on Freemasonry had been largely ignored. He claimed that ‘There were people who were angry the Kirk had seen fit to rule in this way, and some elders resigned their eldership.’

 The preceding comments are a sad commentary on the quality of leadership and lack of discernment on the part of some Church of Scotland clergy and lay leaders.  The secretary of the Church of Scotland’s panel on doctrine, Douglas Galbraith, apparently refused to be drawn into the debate and made no comment.  However, former Moderator and one-time chairman of the panel which looked at Freemasonry, Professor Robert Davidson, stated: ‘I would see no reason for the church to change its earlier stance which is really that they should think twice and consider their position.’