Masonry in France today

Title

Language

English

Year

1960

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

MASONRY IN FRANCE TODAY Address given to the Masonic Service Association by the M.J4'. Grand Master of the French National Grand Lodge, at Washington, 25th February, 1960. MAV. Brother Chairman, M. AV. Grand Masters and Brethren, First of all, I wish to take this opportunity to thank yon for the cordial and fraternal welcome vou have extended to myself and to the Brethcrn who accompanied me on our visit to the States. I fell that the friendly spirit which prevails in your reception is a mark of svnipathy and fraternal fellowship to all Brethcrn of the French National Grand Lodge, the only Grand Lodge in France recognized by ail fifty Grand Lodges in the United Slates and by all but on of the Grand Lodges in Canada. Of course we. and we only in France are recognized by the Mother Grand Lodge, the United Grand Lodge of England. Our Grand Lodge had and still has from time to time the privilege and the pleasure of granting Charters to many Lodges formed bv Military Service per.onnel on dutv in France. A large proportion of these Brethren come from the United States, but we also base Brethren from Canada, Holland, Iran, Greece and Great Britain, and this happily demonstrates the universality of Freemasonry. It also proves that the guiding principles of our Grand Lodge are and will ever remain Belief in God, the Three Great Lights and strict adherence to the Ancient Landmarks of the Order. Grand Lodges throughout the world inquire from us about the situation of Freemasonry in France. We must ;idmit that the situation is rather confused but I shall make an aiiempL in order- to summarize the present position. In France, the Grand Orient ■)} France is the largest body and there arc some 17,000 to 18,000 members. They have struck out from their Constitutions all reference to the Great Architect of the Univcuse or to the Holv Bible and have substituted as guiding principles: The equality between Brethren Mutual Tolerance Absolute freedom of conscience. Many of their members are atheists and it is estimated that some 10 to 15% ate communists. They encourage the discussion in Lodge of political and like topics On such a basis, the Grand Orient of France must be considered as irregular and clandestine. Al its annual convention in 1953, the Grand Lodge of France, second in France by its membership, passed a resolution by some two thirds majority making the presence of the Holy Bible compulsory in their Lodges. However we are told, that still quite recentl in some of their Lodges remain a majority of the members of the Grand Lodge of France who have not been obligated upo the Holy Bible. It must be kept in mind that, in the past, candidates were not required to profess a belief in the Su46 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 preme Being, and therefore the question arises as to how many members of this Grand Lodge subscribe to this essential belief? Their resolution of 1953 must however, be considered as a first step in an effort towards regularity and w’c are glad to say so. In September 1959, the Grand Lodge of France took another step forward in suspending, by a majority vote of some 70^>, correspondence, agreements and interobedience relations with the Grand Orient of France. Together with other . Regular Grand Lodges, we welcome this further effort. It is true that administrative relations between the two governing bodies have been suspended. BUT INTERVISITATION BY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS CONTINUES AS BEFORE. Members of the Grand Lodge of France are welcome in Lodges of the (fraud Orient of France, and Members of the Grand Orient Lodges visit Lodges of the Grand Lodge of France. Furthermore, no instructions have yet been issued to our knowledge by the (band Lodge of France in order to forbid its members from affiliating with Lodges of the Grand Orient or obliging those who are already members of the (band Orient to sever their dual membership. We will gladly acknowledge the efforts made by the G.M. Dupuy in order to bring a majority in his Grand Lodge to more regular practice. We will welcome the time when the (fraud Lodge of France can claim recognition as a Regular Grand Lodge but we must regretfully conclude that, while the first steps have been taken, such lime has not yet Our Obedience, the French National Grand Lodge is small in number, its membership is not more than 4.000, but ;fJl the principles of regularity are maintained and strictly applied in all its Lodges. It is our mission in Freemasonry to hold out a helping hand to all persons ol goodwill and to play our part in bringing into effect what we all desire, that is to say. Unity between Obediences. Brethren, however, must realize that Freemasonry cannot exist unless it is based upon a sincere belief in God. Our Masonic symbols remind us of our dependence upon Him, but the GREAT ARCHITECT HIMSELF IS NOT A SYMBOL FOR WE CAN NO!' WORK TO THE GLORY OF A SYMBOL. There is not doubt that, in Fiance, there is amongst irregular Masons a sincere desire to return to regularity and you may rest assured that our Grand Lodge will do everything within its power io ensure that this desire is brought to a fruitful conclusion. We must, however, by very careful and build only on pet manency on the rock of regularity. Anv hasty action wojild only delav our common goal. Kindly send your articles for the January 1961 issue today. MASON IN FRANCE TODAY 47

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