More questions and answers…

Title

Creator

Corcuera, Aurelio L.

Language

English

Year

1966

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

ZuetU*** . WB AURELIO L. CORCUERA (4) PM 126. Mackey (An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 1919, vol. 1, p. 306) defines a Grand Lodge as the “dogmatic and administrative authority of Ancient Craft Masonry, or the three symbolic degrees.” What justification is there for des cribing it as democratic? In the early part of the 18th century when the first Grand Lodges were organized, a Grand Lodge as a matter of expediency had to have power and authority over all the Craft within its jurisdiction, exercising legislative, execu tive, and judicial functions. Its ordinances and edicts, until repealed, are to be obeyed by the Lodges under its jurisdiction and their members. Its judicial decrees are final. It is thus autocratic and despotic. But since the Lodges composing it are represented by their Masters and Wardens, and, in some cases, by their Past Masters also in its communications and since all propo sitions presented have to be approved by the votes of a majority of those present, a quorum being present, it is democratic — a representative democracy. 127. In the Philippines who are the members of the Grand Lodge? According to Par. 3 (Chapter I, Article II, Section 1 of the Constitu tion, revised in 1962) the members of the Grand Lodge are: the Grand Lodge Officers; the Past (elective) Grand Officers; the Masters and Wardens, and the Past Masters of the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge. 128. What is meant by the term “exclusive jurisdiction”? A Grand Lodge has exclusive jurisdiction over the territory in which it is established because no other Grand Lodge can charter a Lodge within its jurisdiction without its expressed permission. A Lodge has exclusive juris diction in the place mentioned in its charter, and residents within the limits of its jurisdiction can not petition for the degrees of Masonry in any other Lodge without first obtaining a waiver of jurisdiction from it. 129. Who requests the waiver: the petitioner or the Lodge to which he desires to apply? According to Par. 159 of the Constitution (rev. 1962) the Lodge to which tho applicant desires to present his petition, upon his written request, should ask for the waiver of jurisdiction from the Lodge which has (exclusive) juris diction over the prospective candidate. 130. Is the granting of a waiver of jurisdiction mandatory on the Lodge from which it is requested? No, it is entirely discretionary. The requesting Lodge can not act on the petition unless the waiver is granted. 10 The Cabletow

Media