CHARTER OF TRADITIONAL INITIATIC FREEMASONRY

Grand Lodges that have signed this Charter:

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 fidelity to the principles, usages, and customs of Traditional Freemasonry, and having noted:

. That their Venerable 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 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 non-mixing of genders in their ritual work.

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

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

They have concluded, or will conclude within six months, treaties of friendship and recognition.

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

They wish today to confirm these relationships.

The purpose of this Charter is to solemnly attest to their commitment to the Masonic Tradition and their will to deepen their cooperation, as well as to affirm their fraternal friendship, in strict respect for the sovereignty, prerogatives, practices, usages, and customs specific to each of the signatory Grand Lodges.

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

1/ Masonic Values and Traditional Freemasonry

The declarations of principles to which the signatory obediences adhere and which they attest reflect a comparable approach to Freemasonry, transcending the diversity of Rites, which in their equal richness offer a wide variety of paths to personal fulfillment.

These declarations are appended to this charter.

Any differences that these texts may contain should be seen as a source of enrichment and an impetus for developing the fundamental themes of Traditional Freemasonry, which are:

Traditional Freemasonry is based on the acceptance and freely chosen approach to Transcendence, understood in the sense of "that which transcends 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 kindness towards all people, primarily aims to give meaning to the life of every human being.
Masonic work stems primarily from the rigorous practice of a regular Rite within a legitimately constituted Lodge, the sole place of initiatic transmission.
The proposed progressive approach aims for both individual and collective improvement: a Freemason must first improve himself if he wishes to contribute to the improvement of society, and further 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 to their conventions, congresses, and solemn ceremonies.

The order of protocol is determined by the seniority of the establishment of the obedience.

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 work of study and reflection on the founding themes of Traditional Freemasonry that unite them.

They undertake to consult each other in advance regarding the organization of conferences and events, whether common, internal to their obedience, or open to other obediences, the media, and secular institutions, or organized by them.

They may support and organize research outside of mandatory and ritual tesserae, jointly 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 reception of authors from the other signatory obediences.

4/ Accession to the Charter

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

Its duration is unlimited.

However, any signatory obedience may terminate it, in a manner specific to its rules and procedures.

Signed in Sofia on 20.05.2023

CHARTER OF TRADITIONAL INITIATIC FREEMASONRY

Leave a Reply Cancel reply