AS the Vatican has issued a ban this week on Catholics joining the Freemasons, Belfast man and longtime member Brian McBride (79) told the Irish News why religion is no barrier for new members.
For many, the image of the Freemasons is shrouded in mystery, a boys’ club with secret handshakes who conspire to secure each other jobs.
Brian first joined in 1988, and now serves as Secretary for Sir George Clark Memorial Lodge 669.
It is one of dozens of Belfast lodges housed in Freemason’s Hall in the city centre, a building covered in masonic symbols that most shoppers walking towards Victoria Square probably don’t even notice.
On Monday, a letter from the Vatican’s doctrinal office read: "Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is prohibited, because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry.”
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Brian commented: “I think the implication (from the Vatican) is that masonry is some type of religion.
“But it isn’t and it doesn’t matter what religion I am. Freemasonry is a fraternal brotherhood of trusted friends.”
That’s not to say there aren’t restrictions. For the large part it’s only open to men, for those over 21 and considered to be of good standing.
Any new members must also have a belief in “a superior being” and take an oath on a bible of their choice.
Strictly advised not to discuss religion or politics, all new members will also pass through “the three degrees,” ceremonial stages that originate from a system to educate medieval craftsmen.
With around 2,000 members across Ireland, with the majority in Northern Ireland, Mr McBride says he has no idea how many are Catholic.
“That’s a question you never ask a Freemason, it doesn’t come up. It’s very special for that reason in Northern Ireland.
“I’m not a Catholic but it doesn’t matter to me if anybody is. My surname is McBride so all my life people have been guessing what foot I kick with.”
On Freemason conspiracy theories, he said the truth is more about monthly meetings where candidates deliver after-dinner speeches or progress through one of the three degrees.
“People are learning the words and learning to speak. So their confidence grows the longer they’re in ‘the craft’ as we call it,” he said.
“People love doing that. Say there’s 40 people in the lodge, they know they’ve got 40 people in the world they can trust completely.
“They can tell them things privately, because they say ‘can I tell you something on the square?’
“That means that no one else can know about it. We’re not about finding each other jobs or any of that sort of nonsense, it’s just friendship.”
The Irish Constitution for Freemasons permits men only, but Brian said a lodge in Newtownards does accept men and women, and some lodges around the world are for women only.
“I’m not sure my wife would approve of that,” he joked.
“Because it’s a bunch of guys getting together and at least they know where we are.”
