Professor Yuri Hulkin BALAM RAMOS had kindly offered an interview to the Secretary-General of the Masonic Press Agency of Romania shortly after the World Conference in Bucharest.
Sir, you have attended the World Conference held in Bucharest in September, presenting a dissertation on Mayan culture. Why do you think Freemasonry is interested in the success of civilizations in the world?
Yuri H. BALAM RAMOS - Freemasonry is a worldwide organization that had a decisive influence in certain chapters of the modern history of the planet. However, its influence has declined significantly due to several factors, including its removal from the political and economic circles of power. I think that its approach to know more about the achievements of certain civilizations in the world could push to revive the organization in terms of intellectuality.
Do you think that the Masonic Order in any form can claim success of a civilization that no longer exist today?
Yuri H. BALAM RAMOS - Yes, it can claim success of these civilizations for two reasons: first its role as defender of the freedoms beyond religion and government make the Order to have the moral and ethical leadership that is found today only in academic and intellectual circles and, secondly, because no one has a title of property on the knowledge which being a human expression, belongs to all people.
You who come from a family of Freemasons living in Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula, which you think is the contribution of the Grand Lodge to the development of the Mexican society in that part of the country?
Yuri H. BALAM RAMOS - Now its role is limited to internal study of the rituals because its protagonist role in public life in Yucatan took a secondary place. We believe that we are facing a moment of internal peace which in the future will serve for the revival of the Order beyond the dogmatic and fanatical trends in our lives.
A few days ago in Chetumal was signed a historic document between the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico and the Grand Lodge of Quintana Roo. From your point of view and from the historical point of view, what kind of relationship existed between the Freemasonry from the central part of the country and that of the Yucatan Peninsula?
Yuri H. BALAM RAMOS - Freemasonry in the Yucatan Peninsula was born in Campeche and afterwards is recognized nationally, suffering divisions by the appearance of the Grand Lodges in Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Under the auspices of the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico were recognized the Grand Lodges of the states of the Republic of Mexico in the twentieth century, having a great influence not because of having jurisdiction over the territory, but because of its leadership which was in the capital and because was respected by all powers of the provinces; in addition, because there were the most nationally known Freemasons of Mexico.
You have written a book about the history of Freemasonry in the Yucatan Peninsula. Over time which was the most important action of Freemasonry for the welfare of the society in the Yucatan Peninsula?
Yuri H. BALAM RAMOS - In my opinion had a role of opposing the radical clerical tendencies represented by the Catholic Church, as defender of the secular education and as a catalyst for liberal ideas, even if today it seems obsolete in the past there was a real confrontation with the conservative thesis which at that time still had an undisputed hegemony over a large part of the population.
Professor and my dear friend, thank you for your courtesy of giving this interview to the Masonic Press Agency of Romania.
Yuri H. BALAM RAMOS - On the contrary, thanks for the invitation and count on me for any collaboration when considered necessary. A warm and fraternal greetings!
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