CHARTER OF THE TRADITIONAL INITIATIC FREEMASONRY

The Grand Lodges, signatories of this charter:

Grand Lodge of the French Masonic Alliance
Grand Lodge of the 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 practices of Traditional Freemasonry and having established:

. 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, namely the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses.

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

. The separation of genders in their ritual work.

. That they unite free men, accountable only to their own conscience, and prohibit any political or religious debate within the Lodges.

. The initiatic, progressive, and spiritual nature of the Masonic approach.

Have committed or are about to commit within six months through treaties of friendship and recognition.

Due to their common approach and regular practice of Traditional Freemasonry, these obediences have built trusting and lasting friendly relations among themselves.

Today, they wish to reaffirm these relations.

This charter aims to solemnly attest to their attachment to the Masonic tradition and their will to deepen their cooperation, as well as to certify their fraternal friendship, in strict respect of the sovereignty, powers, practices, customs, and traditions inherent to each of the signatory Grand Lodges.

This charter is intended to be open to other obediences claiming allegiance to initiatic and traditional Freemasonry, provided that they fully comply with its principles.

1/ Masonic Values and Traditional Freemasonry

The declarations of principles to which the signatory obediences adhere and bear witness reflect a similar approach to Freemasonry, beyond the diversity of rites which, with their equal richness, offer a wide variety of paths for personal development.

These declarations are appended to this charter.

The differences that these texts might contain should be seen as a source of enrichment and a stimulus for the development of the fundamental themes of Traditional Freemasonry, which are as follows:

Traditional Freemasonry is based on the acceptance and freely consented approach to Transcendence, understood in the sense of "that which surpasses man," thereby giving meaning to the concept of universal brotherhood.
Masonic spirituality, through its various forms of expression, the symbolic language practiced, and the constant search for harmony with the Cosmos and benevolence towards all people, aims above all to give meaning to the life of every human being.
Masonic work stems primarily from the diligent practice of a regular rite within a lawfully constituted Lodge — the sole place of initiatic transmission.
The progressive approach offered aims for individual and collective improvement: the Mason must first perfect himself if he wishes to contribute to the betterment of society, and beyond that, 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 to their conventions, congresses, and solemn ceremonies.

The seniority of the obedience's establishment determines the order of protocol.

3/ Common Studies and Conferences

In a spirit of deepening their reference framework, the signatory obediences undertake to promote, particularly within their research bodies, collaborative work on the study and understanding of the foundational themes of Traditional Freemasonry that unite them.

They undertake to consult each other beforehand regarding the organization of conferences and events — whether joint, internal to their obedience, or open to other obediences, media, and secular institutions, or organized by the latter.

They may encourage and organize studies beyond the obligatory and ritualistic concerns, together with sisters and brothers from all Masonic obediences of the initiatic tradition.

Each of the signatory obediences also undertakes to promote in its publications the acceptance of authors from the other signatory obediences.

4/ Adherence to the Charter

Adherence to this charter is materialized by the signature of the acting Grand Master or his representative, accompanied by the seal of his obedience.

Its duration is unlimited.

However, any signatory obedience may terminate it, according to the procedures inherent to its own rules and procedures.

Signed in Sofia On 20.05.2023

CHARTER OF THE TRADITIONAL INITIATIC FREEMASONRY

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