Dear readers, honored brothers, in the appropriate forms of address!
Let me begin with the following narrative: In its origins, Freemasonry was once united. Due to the circumstances at the time, which are documented in history, and, once again, triggered by the personal sensitivities of individuals, it split into different currents. Today, in the national and international context, there are many Masonic organizations with many different currents and just as many different approaches to the same subject areas. Some describe themselves as “regular,” some as “respectable,” others as “liberal”… But some of them do not exactly cover themselves in glory and thus tarnish the face of the landmarks that have been handed down for centuries and the canon of values determined by noble sentiments of the global chain of Freemasons.
The decisive factor is to recognize these small but essential differences, which is not always easy for us Freemasons, and almost impossible for a layperson. Many of our Grand Lodges come from other organizations, which they have left because of the ongoing damage to this canon of values that is prevalent there. Political or business-motivated cliques must not be the motivation for membership in our community of like-minded people. Symbolically, we defend our walls against any kind of profanation, so the following applies: check carefully who is making a permanent commitment.
As a Confederation, we are therefore appropriately cautious and cautious when making new agreements, because we want to preserve the centuries-old landmarks of Freemasonry and lead them carefully into these new times. A friendship agreement is quickly concluded, but is it sustainable and will it be filled with life? Once again, the following applies: check carefully who is making a permanent commitment.
Review of the 22nd Reunion | May 2024
After an agreement in principle with the National Grand Lodge of North Macedonia on admission had already been concluded the year before, the time had now come to finalize this admission process in the course of the confederation meeting in Tuscany, which had been postponed due to current developments in Israel. The GNLM was welcomed as an official full member in our ranks and, in addition to the agenda, the schedule for the upcoming meetings and the excursion to Colombia were finalized.
Review WCMF24 | July 2024
The World Congress of Universal Freemasonry in the city of Medellín, Colombia was an invitation that we were happy to accept, because many reputable Grand Lodges from all over the world were invited, who are struggling with similar issues in their parts of the world. In a world that is currently drifting apart in many areas, where we are struggling with the effects of climate change as well as with many conflict zones and war situations, we Freemasons are more than ever called upon to bring our landmarks to life and to set a good example at all times.
The event took place in the premises of the University of Medellín, organized locally by the brothers of the Gran Logia Unida de las Antillas. In addition to an exchange on an equal footing, there was also a clear work assignment. According to the invitation, each participating Grand Lodge was asked to develop a regional position on current issues and to present these documents on site. The essence of these diverse Masonic positions is to be presented to the United Nations as a joint position paper. To give you, dear readers, a better overview, I would like to say that our questions dealt with fundamental issues such as human and social development, or ecological issues in an international context. The conference can be considered a constructive and successful meeting and the follow-up events will take place in 2025 in Manila | 2026 in Marrakesh | 2027 in Skopje.
The brothers of the Gran Logia Soberana del Archipielago Filipino are responsible for the upcoming congress in Manila, we look forward to future developments in this region of the world.
CMSA Cooperation
Our partner organization, the “Symbolic Masonic Confederation of America – CMSA”, which is locally involved in the organization of the WCMF, was supported by the CGLEM in its founding. The current President of the CMSA, who is also Grand Master of the Traditional Grand Lodge of Brazil, recognized from the outset that our European approach to Freemasonry is not only historical, but also fully competent in all the multifaceted details of Freemasonry of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Therefore, the values and statutes of the CGLEM were fully adopted. Another important aspect was the final close cooperation with our American brotherhoods, which was sealed this weekend with a permanent cooperation document. This means that our two confederations are mutually fully accepted and recognized brotherhoods.
A further milestone in the cooperation was reached with the official recognition and inauguration ceremony of the Gran Logia Escocista Argentina with its incumbent Grand Master, by our European Grand Lodges from Portugal, Austria and North Macedonia who were present.
Outlook
After the summer break we are back in the regular rhythm of our work, the next confederation meeting is coming up.
But we also notice that the worries, fears and problems in this world have by no means become smaller. We are all once again called upon to do our own homework and not to let this mountain of worries grow any further. It is therefore entirely up to all of us to make an individual contribution to improving the current situation at all levels. As Freemasons, we are fundamentally obliged by our beliefs to shape our lives in harmony with our environment. But it will only work if we all get to work and always try to do the best within the scope of our possibilities, even if it may only affect our own environment. A fitting metaphor for this: “What would the big things in life be without the many small things?”
