MFRFM              9.3.05
Movement for a Register of Freemasons

The Rev. Peter Nokes.
37 Unthank Road,   NORWICH NR2 2PB

Dear Mr. Nokes,

MANCROFT LODGE 6074 AND THE CHURCH OF ST PETER MANCROFT

 	The Masonic Antient Charges state that "you are ..  to prefer a 
poor Brother, that is a good man and true before any other poor People 
in the same Circumstance."  This binds every single Freemason of any 
degree.
 	 A Royal Arch ritual vow binds the Freemason always to assist a 
Brother and to suggest "the most kindly and the most palliating and the 
most favourite circumstances in extenuation of his conduct, even when 
justly liable to reprehension and blame. Thus shall the world see how 
close is the bond that binds Freemasons together."
 	The Freemasons deny their secret membership the right to free 
speech on issues of conscience (Audi, Vide, Tace).

In the light of these Masonic ordinances, and the present Archbishop's 
strictures ("NEW ARCHBISHOP: MASONS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE CHURCH", 
15.11.02), I cannot comprehend the current meddling of the Anglican 
Church in Freemasonry.  In his letter to me (9.8.02), Dr. Rowan Williams 
wrote that he had resisted the appointment of known masons to certain 
senior posts and spoke of Masonic practice as incompatible with 
Christian ministry. Yet I read that there is "an historical and present 
connection" between your church St. Peter Mancroft Norwich and the 
Mancroft Lodge of Freemasons.  Such partnerships are harmful and can 
only underline the inconstancy of the Anglican Church.  It is not a 
question of a ne'er-do-well curate, secreted in a backwater. Your church 
is described by PGM as the foremost city church in Norwich. A fitting 
role model?  Consider the Grand Master of the Scottish Freemasons, 
traditionally aristocratic, now the Anglican Canon Joseph Morrow BD JP 
OStJ. Is that good for the Church and its ministry?  Was Christ a 
Freemason, bearing the knee? Was Hiram a disciple?

The Mancroft link came to my notice when research revealed a possible 
pattern of services for the Mancroft Lodge at your Church. I wrote to 
Canon Hereward Cooke (still Deputy Leader of the City Council, I read) 
for confirmation, as his name  cropped up in the same context. All he 
can tell me (his second message) is that:
"I might possibly have attended one Evensong [for the Lodge]".
As the link with the Lodge is paraded openly by Provincial Grand Lodge, 
and therefore a subject of open record, I would be glad if you could let 
me know how many services for the Lodge have been held at St. Peter 
Mancroft during your incumbency, and on what dates.

Yours sincerely,



Cc. to standard MFRFM press addresses

MFRFM seeks to argue for a public register of Freemasons
Founder:      Hugh Sinclair M.A. (Oxon.)    36   Aln Court Ellington 
NE615LR        01670 861736


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