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The Minutes of the Quarterly Communication
of Grand Lodge of 14 June 2006 were confirmed.
Meetings in 2007
In accordance with Rule 225, Book of
Constitutions, the dates on which the Board
of General Purposes will meet in 2007 are:
13 February, 20 March, 15 May, 17 July,
18 September and 13 November.
Attendance at Lodges under
the English Constitution by Brethren
from other Grand Lodges
The Board considers it appropriate to
draw attention to Rule 125 (b), Book of
Constitutions, and the list of Grand Lodges
recognised by the United Grand Lodge of
England, which is published in the Masonic
Year Book, copies of which are sent to
Lodge secretaries.
Only Brethren who are members
of Lodges under recognised jurisdictions
may visit English Lodges. They must
produce a certificate (i.e., a Grand Lodge
certificate or other documentary proof
of Masonic identity provided by their
Grand Lodge), should be prepared to
acknowledge that a personal belief in
TGAOTU is an essential Landmark in
Freemasonry, and should be able to
produce evidence of their good standing
in their Lodges. It is the Master’s
responsibility to ensure that the
requirements of Rule 125 (b) are met.
It is particularly noted that the hazard
of admitting a member of an unrecognised
constitution arises not only in connection
with overseas visitors (or individuals
resident in this country who belong to
an unrecognised constitution overseas).
There are Lodges of unrecognised
constitutions meeting in England, and
care must be taken that their members
are not admitted to our meetings.
Attendance at Lodges overseas
The continuing growth in overseas travel
brings with it an increase in visits by our
Brethren to Lodges of other jurisdictions,
and the Board welcomes this trend.
From time to time, however, Brethren
become involved with Masonic bodies
which Grand Lodge does not recognise,
e.g. in visiting a jurisdiction which, quite
legitimately so far as it is concerned, accepts
as visitors Brethren from Grand Lodges
which are not recognised by the United
Grand Lodge of England.
In this connection, Brethren are
reminded that it is part of their duty as
members of the English Constitution not
to associate Masonically with members of
unrecognised constitutions, and should
such a situation occur, they should tactfully
withdraw, even though their visit may
have been formally arranged.
To avoid this danger, and potential
embarrassment to hosts, Brethren should
not attempt to make any Masonic contact
overseas without having first checked
(preferably in writing) with the Grand
Secretary’s Office at Freemasons’ Hall, Great
Queen Street, London wc2b 5az, that there
is recognised Freemasonry in the country
concerned and, if so, whether there is any
particular point which should be watched.
The Board recommends that the terms
of this warning should be repeated: verbally
in open Lodge whenever a Grand Lodge
Certificate is presented, and in print once
a year in a Lodge’s summons.
Brethren should also be aware of the
Masonic convention that communications
between Grand Lodges be conducted by
Grand Secretaries. They should therefore
not attempt without permission to make
direct contact with the Grand Secretary
of another Constitution. This does not
preclude direct contact on a purely personal
level between individual Brethren under
different Grand Lodges.
Masonic discipline
The Committee under the chairmanship
of RW Bro. His Honour Sir Lawrence
Verney, has recommended changes to
the booklet Masonic Conduct – a Guide
to Investigations to reflect the changes to
the Book of Constitutions. The Board has
accordingly approved a revised version
of the booklet, incorporating the
Committee’s recommendations.
Copies of the revised booklet will be
made available to Metropolitan, Provincial
and District Grand Masters, their respective
Secretaries, Grand Inspectors, their
respective Royal Arch counterparts and
others concerned in the disciplinary process
as soon as practicable after the Quarterly
Communication of Grand Lodge.
The Board wishes to express its thanks
to Brother Verney and the other members of
his Committee and once again looks forward
to receiving further recommendations in
due course.
The changes were approved.
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Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
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