In Germany these days takes place the Annual Communication of the United Grand Lodges of Germany and the anniversary of the oldest Masonic Lodges in the country

Friday, 28 September 2012

Hamburg, Germany. During 28-30 September 2012 in Germany takes place the Annual Communication of the United Grand Lodges of Germany, and the anniversary of 275 years since the founding of the first Masonic Lodge on German soil, Abselon zu den drei Nesseln Lodge.

The XXXV Annual Meeting of the 6th Zone of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation

Asuncion, Paraguay. During 11 to 14 October 2012 will be held in Paraguay the XXXV Annual Meeting of the 6th Zone of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation. The event is organized by the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay and during the works will participate the Grand Lodges of Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Spain, Portugal and Brazil (Grand Orient of Brazil).

The coordinator of the meeting is the Grand Chancellor of Paraguay, Brother Raul Pintos Grassi and the central topic of discussion is "Modern Freemasonry". The meeting will discuss three main topics: Woman and her membership in Freemasonry, Social networks and Freemasonry, Strengthening the Latin American Freemasonry.

The Masonic Press Agency of Romania encourages participation in this event since the topics discussed are part of a necessary process of Freemasonry, namely the adaptation of Order to the 21st century society.

Grand Lodge of Ukraine celebrates today its 7th anniversary

Monday, 24 September 2012

Kiev, Ukraine. The Grand Lodge of Ukraine celebrates today its 7th anniversary. The Grand Lodge of Ukraine was established in Paris on September 24, 2005, by GLNF and the Grand Lodge of Austria. This year, on April 1, 2012, Grand Master Ihor Yukhimovych announced the suspension of relations with GLNF, citing "the threat that GLNF represents regarding the authority of Freemasonry in Europe."

Freemasons from around the world are celebrating the Equinox

Saturday, 22 September 2012

Bucharest, Romania. Freemasons from around the world celebrate during 21 to 23 September the Autumn/Spring Equinox. In over 1,000,000 Valleys worldwide are organized Masonic ceremonies and public events at the beginning of the new Masonic year.

The 163th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California

San Francisco, United States of America. Today marks the 163th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California, event hosted by the Masonic Temple of San Francisco. During the event, from 21 to 23 September 2012, will take place public ceremonies organized by the Grand Lodge, and also a banquet offered by Grand Master Louie.

Jaison Penso Molina was reelected Grand Master and the Grand Lodge entered the Colombian Masonic Confederation

Thursday, 20 September 2012

Santa Marta, Colombia. On 8 august 2012, the Masonic Press Agency of Romania was informed that the Grand Lodge Benjamin Herrera re-elected Jaison Penso Molina as Grand Master for another term to lead the organization.

Also on August 4, 2012, the Grand Lodge voted unanimously to enter the Colombian Masonic Confederation. This is a first step for the Grand Lodge Benjamin Herrera to gain recognition of the United Grand Lodge of England, informs Brother Jose Manuel Diaz (Torrentes of Ariguaní Lodge).

The Supreme Council for Spain will analyze the role of women in Freemasonry

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Madrid, Spain. The Supreme Council for Spain will hold from 9 to 10 November 2012 its Annual Communication during which will examine the role of women in Masonic Lodges. At the conference held on the subject will attend 10 Supreme Councils of the world.

The new leader of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Madrid, the scientist and Brother Jesús Soriano Carrillo will award this year's prize to the Supreme Council of Mexico in gratitude for its support given to Spanish Brethren during exile.

Regarding the Feminine Freemasonry Jesús Soriano Carrillo said that there is a Feminine Grand Lodge in Spain and even a Council Supreme. Moreover, he believes that the organization of women works even better than that of men because women are more meticulous.

Cristina Fernandez, President of Argentina, explained to students what are the Freemasons

Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina's President Cristina Fernández received the visit of 80 students on September 15, 2012 at the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada) in Buenos Aires. She spoke to students about an array of Masonic inscriptions on a painting and she explained what are the Freemasons.

Marc Henry, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of France, confirmed the existence of negotiations in Brussels

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Paris, France. Following negotiations between the Grand Lodge of France and the Grand Masters of Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg, Marc Henry (Grand Master of GLdF) issued on the day of September 14th a circular confirming the Brussels Declaration.

The circular indicates three major things:

- The Grand Lodge of France opposes the establishment of Masonic districts in France.
- GLdF takes note of London's decision to break relations with GLNF.
- GLdF confirmed the negotiations which took place on 12 September in Brussels.

The 10th European Masonic Meeting will take place in Cyprus

Paphos, Cyprus. The European Masonic Meeting is a Masonic tradition that began in 2004, when it was first organized by a Masonic Lodge in Arlon, Belgium. Last year the event was organized by a Lodge belonging to the Grand Orient Lodges of Italy, and this year the task goes to Kinyras Lodge #3 (Grand Lodge of Cyprus), founded on April 21, 1923, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Greece.

The meeting takes place from October 26 to 28, 2012 in the town Paphos in southwest Cyprus (recognized by the European Union).

Grand Lodges of Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg have started negotiations with the Grand Lodge of France on 12 September 2012

Brussels, Belgium. On September 12, 2012, while in London was taking place the Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England, in Brussels was held a meeting attended by the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges of Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg.

As a result of the Basel Declaration and the Declaration of Berlin, the Brussels Declaration comes to support the concerted action of the 5 Grand Lodges to recognizes a new Grand Lodge in France. The Brussels Declaration was communicated to all Grand Lodges in the world in amity with the 5 Grand Lodges in Europe.

Following negotiations between representatives of GLdF and GL-AMF (Alain Juillet and Dominique Moreau) and the Grand Masters of Europe was established a joint agenda, proposing to undertake an assessment of the results in early December this year.

The goal is to find a central project for a new regular Obedience in France and possibly to recognize it internationally at the level of regular Freemasonry.

Jose Moreno was installed Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal

Sunday, 16 September 2012

Lisbon, Portugal. Today took place the ceremony of installation of the Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal. In the presence of over 500 Freemasons, the event was attended by an impressive number of Grand Masters from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Madagascar, Mozambique, USA, Gabon, England, and leaders of Freemasonry in Bulgaria, Russia, Spain, Croatia, Germany and Switzerland.

Catherine Jeanin-Naltet was elected Grand Master of the Feminine Grand Lodge of France

Paris, France. Catherine Jeanine-Naltet (62 years old) is the new Grand Master of GLFF. The Grand Master acceded to Freemasonry in 1986, in a Lodge of Lyon. In the period 1997-2000 she served as the Grand Orator, being graduated from the Faculty of Law and Political Science.

Freemasonry is celebrating the Mexican independence

Mexico City, Mexico. The Grand Lodges of Mexico are celebrating today the Independence Day. In several cities around the country are held rallies and events hosted by Masonic Lodges in Mexico to mark the 202th anniversary of the independence of the country.

Grand Master of Chile expressed support for the President of the Supreme Court

Santiago, Chile. A delegation of the Grand Lodge of Chile, led by the Grand Master was received in audience by the President of the Supreme Court. On this occasion, Luis Riveros Cornejo expressed support for President Rubén Ballesteros Cárcamo, following allegations by Minister for the Environment, María Ignacia Benítez.

Exhibition Centre London will host in 2017 the 300th anniversary of the United Grand Lodge of England

Friday, 14 September 2012

London, United Kingdom. According to UGLE's Pro Grand Master, the Exhibition Centre London will host in 2017 the 300th anniversary of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Peter Lowndes stated that "This is one of the few locations in the Country that has the necessary capacity and infrastructure to properly enable us to celebrate this once in a lifetime momentous event."

Jean-Pierre Servel is tasked to resolve GLNF's internal problems

Paris, France. The 64 years old lawyer of Toulon, Jean-Pierre Servel was elected candidate for the office of Grand Master of GLNF. If installed Grand Master he will be responsible to remedy problems that shook the Grand Lodge for more than two years, problems that have led to the split between the United Grand Lodge of England and GLNF. Even with an annulled treaty with GLNF, UGLE leaves the door open for GLNF Brethren, taking into account a new beginning of fraternal relations between the two Masonic organizations.

After losing the third of its members, GLNF is today in the position to fight to restore order in the hexagon. GLNF's scandal of this year led to the formation of many Grand Lodges, such as the Grand Lodge of Tahiti, Grand Lodge of Corsica or GL-AMF.

Also recently, Brittany's Provincial Grand Master recommended to GLNF Brethren to join him and to enter in the Traditional Grand Lodge of France. Another important number of GLNF Brethren have already entered into other Grand Lodges in France such as the Grand Orient of France or Grand Lodge of France, while others chose to remain members of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The Feminine Grand Lodge of France will choose a new Grand Master

Paris, France. Today begins the Annual Communication of the Feminine Grand Lodge of France. Representatives of 413 Lodges will choose a new Grand Master who will replace Denise Oberlin. Also we remember that this month GLFF the Mixed Grand Lodge of Chile have signed a treaty.

UGLE leaves the door open to Brethren from the French National Grand Lodge

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

London, United Kingdom. The United Grand Lodge of England still considers that GLNF's Brethren and Masonic Lodges are working according to the principles of Regular Freemasonry. The decision to withdraw the recognition is due to GLNF's internal problems only and not that GLNF is irregular.

Anthony Wilson and Derek Dinsmore (UGLE's Grand Chancellor) believes that GLNF can be recognized again when domestic issues are resolved.

Also, Dinsmore stated that: "There is a long established, fundamental principle of Masonic international relations that where Freemasonry exists within a territory, whether or not it is formally recognised, that territory is closed to other Grand Lodges, and the latter should not set up lodges there."

The United Grand Lodge of England definitely broke relations with the French National Grand Lodge

London, United Kingdom. Not long ago it was announced that the United Grand Lodge of England definitely broke relations with the French National Grand Lodge. The decision is effective from the 12 September 2012.

The United Grand Lodge of England might take today a decision regarding GLNF

London, United Kingdom. The United Grand Lodge of England may adopt today a decision regarding the fate of the French National Grand Lodge. According to the latest events it seems that UGLE will probably withdrew GLNF's recognition, giving start to a new era in Europe's Masonic history.

European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso: "we need a federation of nation-states"

Strasbourg, European Union. The President of the European Commission said today at the plenary session of the European Parliament that we need a federation.

"(...) A federation of nation-states, not a super-state. This is a union of states, not against the states! I believe in a nation where citizens are proud of their country," said a few minutes ago José Manuel Durão Barroso before the MEPs.

Grand Orient of the Netherlands withdrew recognition of the French National Grand Lodge

Monday, 10 September 2012

Amsterdam, Netherlands. William S. Meijer, Grand Master of the Grand Orient of the Netherlands, has announced that all ties with GLNF were broken. Also, the official document shows that the Grand Orient of the Netherlands will support all actions that might lead to a situation, in which French Brethren will have regrouped themselves in a masonic entity that fits in the framework of Regular Freemasonry.

132 years since the appearance of institutionalized Freemasonry in Romania

Saturday, 8 September 2012

Bucharest, Romania. Today marks 132 years since the founding of the first Grand Lodge in Romania. One of the main artisans of the founding of the Grand Lodge was Constantin Moroiu.

Freemasonry marched to mark the National Day of Brazil

Friday, 7 September 2012

Vassilios Patkas died in Paris

Thursday, 6 September 2012

Paris, France. Vassilios Patkas died on Tuesday in his sleep at the hotel in the French capital where he was staying. Patkas was one of the leaders of the Greek Freemasonry who attended the bilateral meetings between Freemasonry, the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament.

Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica: "we're all good in Costa Rica"

San Jose, Costa Rica. The Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica just told us that no Brethren was affected by the earthquake that hit the country today.

"I checked the status of each Brother and we're all good in Costa Rica. For such an earthquake, personal and material damages are scarce. There are damaged buildings in the area but the GAOTU has interposed his hand to not happen something worse", said a few minutes ago Luis Guillermo Calvo Arguedas.

Masonic exhibition in Făgăraş

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Făgăraş, Romania. On 14 September 2012, the Valeriu Literat Museum will open a Masonic exhibition with the help of the Brukenthal Museum. The exhibition will be a presentation of 60 pieces representative for the Masonic Order.

The objects to be exposed to the public have a close connection with Freemasonry in southern Transylvania. The exhibition will end on September 28.

Statements by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States on the Masonic Declaration of Arica

Sunday, 2 September 2012

Santiago, Chile. José Miguel Insulza stated that the Masonic Declaration of Arica is important because it represents a step towards a better understanding between the three peoples of Chile, Bolivia and Peru, and that such action is necessary.

The OAS Secretary General made ​​these statements during his official visit at the Grand Lodge of Chile, where formal discussions were held on the role of this document, including the resolutions given by the International Court in The Hague.