ORANGE Presbyterian Church lay preacher Ian Macdonald was asked to officiate the funeral of a Lithgow woman allegedly denied burial rites at the Presbyterian church in Lithgow due to her association with the men’s fellowship organisation, the Freemasons.
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The family of Margaret Young, who was a member of the Freemasons’ women’s group, the Order of the Eastern Star, said they were forced to hire a public hall to conduct her funeral because the South Bowenfels Presbyterian Church had outlawed the use of Freemason symbolism.
Following last Friday’s service, Mr Macdonald said it was unfortunate this sort of bigotry had impacted parishioners.
Orange Freemason Chuck Frame said Orange’s experience of the interaction between Freemasons and churches was in complete contrast to the Lithgow experience.
He said no edicts had been issued from pulpits in Orange preventing church members from affiliating with the Freemasons, however, he was disappointed to hear some prejudice still remained in other parts of the state.
“It just seems to be in pockets,” Mr Frame said.
“We have two Masonic Lodges in Orange and both of them have a real mix of religions including one Buddhist member.”
Mr Frame said the only criteria for someone wanting to become a Freemason was they must believe in a higher being.
“At the Freemasons we don’t discuss religion and politics; it is all about coming together in fellowship,” he said.
“And every member has their own church and religion.”
Mr Macdonald said the banning of the Freemason symbolism was “just British Puritanism as taught by the Moore Theological College in Sydney.”
Lithgow Presbyterian Church, which is part of the Diocese of Sydney, has been without a designated minister for some time, with Reverend David Stone from Cowra stepping in as the region’s interim moderator.
Revered Stone denied issuing an edict in relation to the Freemasons.
Mrs Young’s son-in-law John Baxter said her family had been disgusted by the turn of events.
He said the Order of the Eastern Star had been an important part of her life.
“She wanted to be buried from her church at Bowenfels but we also wanted her Order of the Eastern Star role to be part of it,” he said.
Orange has two Freemason lodges, Ophir Lodge (established in 1856) and Canoblas Lewis, which meet at the organisation’s headquarters in Moad Street.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au