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CHARTER OF INITIATORY FREEMASONRY OF TRADITION

The signatory Grand Lodges:

• Grand Lodge of the French Masonic Alliance
• Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria
• National Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic
• Grand Lodge of Bulgaria
• Grand Lodge of Morocco
• United Grand Lodge of Portugal
• Grand Lodge of Madagascar

Affirming their strict adherence to the principles, customs and usages of Traditional Freemasonry, and having observed:

. That their Worshipful Lodges work to the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe, in the presence of the Three Great Lights of Freemasonry, which are the Volume of Sacred Law, the Square and the Compasses.

. Their exclusive sovereignty over the symbolic degrees, as well as their independence from any High Degree structure.

. The non-mixing in their ritual workings.

. That they bring together Free Men, who depend solely on their conscience and prohibit all political or religious controversy in the Lodges.

. The initiatory, progressive and spiritual character of the Masonic approach.

They have entered into, or will enter into within six months, treaties of friendship and recognition.

Due to their common approach and their regular practice of Traditional Freemasonry, these obediences have developed among themselves relations of trusted and lasting friendship.

They wish today to affirm these relations.

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The purpose of this Charter is to solemnly testify to their attachment to Masonic Tradition and their will to deepen their cooperation, as well as to attest to their fraternal friendship, in strict respect of the sovereignty, attributions, practices, usages and customs proper to each of the signatory Grand Lodges.

This Charter is intended to be open to other obediences that claim Initiatory and Traditional Freemasonry, provided they fully respect its principles.

1/ Masonic Values and Traditional Freemasonry

The Declarations of Principles to which the signatory Obediences adhere, and to which they testify, reflect a comparable approach to Freemasonry, beyond the diversity of Rites which, in their equal richness, offer a wide diversity of paths to personal fulfillment.

These declarations are annexed to this charter.

The differences that these texts may contain must be appreciated as a source of enrichment and an incentive to advance the great fundamental themes of Traditional Freemasonry, which are as follows:

• Traditional Freemasonry is based on acceptance and the freely consented approach toward Transcendence, understood in the sense of "that which surpasses man," thus giving meaning to the notion of universal Fraternity.
• Masonic spirituality, through its different modes of expression, the symbolic language practiced, and the constant search for harmony with the Cosmos and benevolence toward all men, seeks essentially to give meaning to the life of each human being.
• Masonic Work proceeds, first and foremost, from the assiduous practice of a regular Rite within a legitimately constituted Lodge, the sole place of initiatory transmission.
• The progressive approach proposed aims at individual and collective perfection: the Mason must first improve himself if he wishes to contribute to improving society, and beyond, contribute to the development and harmony of the world.

2/ Common Protocol and Ceremonies

French is the official language of the International Confederation of Independent and Regular Grand Lodges (CIGLIR).

The signatory Obediences undertake to invite each other respectively to their Conventions, Congresses and solemn ceremonies.

The seniority of the constitution of the Obedience determines the protocol order.

3/ Common Studies, Research and Conferences

In the spirit of deepening their reference corpus, the signatory Obediences undertake to promote, particularly within their Research Bodies, common works of study and reflection on the founding themes of Traditional Freemasonry that unite them.

They undertake to consult each other beforehand regarding the organization of conferences and events, whether common, internal to their Obedience, or open to other Obediences, media and profane institutions, or organized by them.

They may promote and organize research outside obligatory and ritual meetings, together with the sisters and brothers of all Masonic obediences of Initiatory Tradition.

Each of the signatory Obediences also undertakes to favor, in its publications, the reception of authors from the other signatory Obediences.

4/ Adherence to the Charter

Adherence to this Charter is materialized by the signature of the Grand Master in office, or his representative, accompanied by the seal of his Obedience.

Its duration is unlimited.

Nevertheless, each signatory Obedience may terminate it, in the forms proper to its rules and procedures.

Signed in Sofia on 20.05.2023