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| Freemasonry's External Relations |
| (The United Grand Lodge of England's relation with other Masonic bodies) |
| (A leaflet published
by The Grand Secretary, The United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons'
Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Tel:. (011-44-) 207-831-89811
Fax: (011-44-) 207-831-5719 ). |
Introduction
This leaflet is intended to expand a topic
mentioned in the leaflet "What is Freemasonry". It explains the United
Grand Lodge of England's relations with other Masonic bodies
Freemasonry is practised under many independent Grand Lodges with
principles or standards similar to those set by the United Grand Lodge
of England throughout its history.
Standards
To be recognised as regular by the United Grand Lodge of England, a Grand Lodge must meet the following standards.
- It must have been lawfully established
by a regular Grand Lodge or by three or more private Lodges, each
warranted by a regular Grand Lodge.
- It must be truly independent and
self-governing, with undisputed authority over Craft - or basic -
Freemasonry (ie the symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow
Craft and Master mason) within its jurisdiction, and not subject in any
other way to or sharing power with any other Masonic body. .
- Freemasons under its jurisdiction must
be men, and it and its Lodges must have no Masonic contact with lodges
which admit women to membership. .
- Freemasons under its jurisdiction must believe in a Supreme Being. .
- All Freemasons under its jurisdiction
must take their Obligations on or in full view of the Volume of the
Sacred Law (ie the Bible) or the book held sacred by the man concerned.
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- The three Great Lights of Freemasonry
(ie the Volume of the Sacred law, the Square and the Compasses) must be
on display when the Grand Lodge or its Subordinate Lodges are open. .
- The discussion of religion and politics within its Lodges must be prohibited. .
- IT must adhere to the established
principles and tenets (the 'Antient Landmarks') and customs of the
Craft, and insist on their being observed within its Lodges.
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Irregular or unrecognised Grand Lodges
There are some self-styled Masonic bodies which do not meet these
standards, eg which do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, or
which allow or encourage their members to participate as such in
political matters. These bodies are not recognised by the Grand Lodge
of England as being Masonically regular, and Masonic contact with them
is forbidden.
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