Summary
In an unconventional move, English Freemasonry has initiated a public recruitment strategy through social media platforms such as Facebook to counter its declining membership. Traditionally, membership was gained exclusively by personal recommendation or being approached by existing members who believed in the “Supreme Being” and had their suitability vouched for by current Masons. However, driven by modern demographic pressures and changing social habits, several English lodges are now using targeted advertising on Facebook to actively seek new members. These ads emphasize that membership is open, encouraging men to apply rather than waiting to be approached. This shift comes amid a broader trend of declining membership in both England and the United States, with figures showing a significant decline from previous peak numbers. Historically, the Catholic Church has consistently condemned Freemasonry due to its secretive nature, religious indifferentism, deist concepts, and autonomous moral vision that are seen as conflicting with Catholic teachings on revelation, the Church, and sacraments. Notable examples of such criticism include Pope Clement XII’s 1738 censure.
Key Topics
Facebook recruitment, Freemasonry decline, Church condemnation
