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Archiver > GENIRE > 1999-09 > 0938133003


From: "James W. Dawson" <>
Subject: Re: Masonic Lodge
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 00:30:03 GMT


wrote:

> Was the Masonic Lodge in Ireland the early part of this century
> considered to be close to the Loyal Orders or did it keep its distance?
> For instance, would a Catholic have been admitted?
>
> Sean
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

With regard to the question of would a Catholic have been admitted. In
1826 the papal Bull of Leo XII against secret societies was widely
promulgated in Ireland unlike the previous bulls issued against Freemasonry
in the eighteenth century. Catholic members of the Order were threatened
with excommunication if they failed to resign from their Lodges. One of the
most prominent figures in Irish history to have been a Freemason, Daniel
O'Connell, resigned after pressure was put on him by Archbishop Troy of
Dublin. A basic principle of entry into the Masonic Order was and still is
a belief in God. So being a Catholic or even a Moslem is not an issue.

I am a little disappointed with the level of knowledge surrounding this
thread. A lot of conjecture, but little documented fact.

Hope that this helps a bit.


--
James W. Dawson
Dawson Family History Project
Guild of One Name Studies Member 2823
http://ntfp.globalserve.net/dawso

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