Top
RW Brother Alan Englefield
Above
Grand Chancellor’s emblem
Bottom
The Chancellor’s apron
| |
At the Annual Investiture on 25th April, RW Brother Alan
Englefield was invested as the first Grand Chancellor of the
United Grand Lodge of England.
Since the early 1990s, Masonic international relations have
become something of a growth industry. That is partly a result
of the rebirth of Freemasonry in East Europe, the Balkans and
Baltic States.
It is also partly because the ease and speed of both
communications and travel have resulted in much more
communication and inter-visiting between members at
all levels within regular Grand Lodges around the world.
When the Pro Grand Master’s Strategic Working Party was
considering the role of the Grand Secretary in the 21st century
it was decided that such were the demands of his responsibilities
to the English Craft and Royal Arch, both at home and in our
Districts overseas, that another officer was required to carry out
Grand Lodge’s policy in relation to external relations and to share
with the Rulers the honour of representing the Grand Master
on formal visits to sister Grand Lodges.
Brother Englefield brings a wealth of experience in
international relations to the new role. As Grand Secretary
General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted
Rite he gained a firm grounding in the complexities of
international Masonic affairs. On retiring from that office he
became a member of both the Board of General Purposes and
the External Relations Committee, succeeding Sir John Welch
as chairman of the latter.
The office of Grand Chancellor is not a full-time, salaried
post within the administration of Grand Lodge. Brother
Englefield will be backed up by a secretariat consisting of John
Hamill, Director of Communications, and Peter Roberts,
who has been for many years the Administrative Assistant
on External Relations.
The creation of a new office required the design of a new
emblem and jewel. The globe symbolises Masonry Universal
and the clasped hands fraternal relations and brotherhood.
Brother Englefield commented: “I am delighted and
honoured to have been appointed as the first Grand Chancellor.
External Relations is a complex subject but, with the support of
my team, I look forward to carrying out my new duties, not least
the pleasure of assisting the Rulers and the Board in cementing
and maintaining the warm relations we have with our old friends
around the world and in developing close relations with the
newer members of our world wide fraternity.”
|
Next Page