All articles tagged with #freemasons
The High Court has dismissed a challenge to the Metropolitan Police's internal policy requiring staff to declare Freemason membership, ruling the measure lawful, proportionate and non-discriminatory as it protects public trust. The disclosure is internal, with only a small number of staff having access to the list, and about 400 declarations have been made so far, despite objections from Freemason groups and rights advocates.
More than 316 Met Police officers and staff declared membership in Freemasonry or other hierarchical associations after the force mandated disclosure, triggering a High Court challenge from Freemason bodies. The judge noted the requirement takes immediate effect, but there’s no immediate disciplinary action planned while the case proceeds, and the Met will consider withdrawing the policy after representations. The policy followed a survey showing about two-thirds of respondents felt such membership could affect impartiality and public trust.
Freemasons have filed for an emergency injunction against the Metropolitan Police's new policy requiring officers to declare their membership, claiming it constitutes religious discrimination and unfair treatment, while the police defend the policy as necessary for maintaining impartiality and integrity.
The Vatican has confirmed a ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons, citing irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry. The ban comes in response to a bishop from the Philippines expressing concern over the growing number of Freemasons in his country. The Vatican's doctrinal office, with the approval of Pope Francis, stated that Catholics in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. Freemasonry, a secretive society with an estimated global membership of up to six million, has long been viewed with hostility by the Catholic Church.