Grand Lodges around the world

19 May 25

Sister Constitutions By W Bro Eric Vincent Yumul

At last year’s Grand Installation we were honoured to see so many Grand Masters and representatives from all across the globe in attendance.

They had come to pay their respects to MW Bro Kris Albano as he was installed into the Grand Master’s chair. But in the same way that the Junior Warden, Inner Guard and Outer Guard work together to ensure that only qualified men can enter our lodges, so do the same principles apply even at the lofty levels of Grand Masters visiting from overseas. We have to ensure that the international relationships between us and our ‘Sister Constitutions’ comply with commonly acceptable criteria.

This article explains what is involved in establishing and maintaining those relationships.

Tucked within the workings of our Executive Council lies a vital though often unseen body: the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. Think of it as our own quiet diplomatic service, fostering connections with Sister Constitutions around the globe.

The Committee assists brethren from Sister Constitutions who visit our lodges in NSW & ACT, and offers support to our own members travelling overseas. Currently our Grand Master chairs this Committee, a role he took on back in 2023 when he was Deputy Grand Master.

Clause 8.2.3(i) of the Book of Constitution lays out the Committee’s core mission: to maintain strong ties with Sister Constitutions or those Grand Lodges with which we enjoy mutual amity. This isn’t just about pleasantries; it involves the serious business of recommending to Grand Lodge whether we should formally recognise or indeed withdraw recognition from foreign Grand Lodges.

At the Quarterly Communication as recently as June 2024, the committee finalised a set of ‘Principles for Recognition’ for those Grand Lodges seeking our recognition. These principles are the bedrock of our relationships and include requiring a belief in a Supreme Being, adherence to the Ancient Landmarks, and the Grand Lodge’s undisputed authority over the Craft Degrees. A basic summary of those principles is given below.

Another crucial part of maintaining our fraternal relations is the system of Grand Representatives. It’s important to clarify that representatives aren’t appointments made by our Grand Lodge. Rather, our Grand Master nominates qualified brethren, and our Sister Grand Lodge makes the official call.

What do these representatives do? They’re the bridge between Grand Lodges, keeping lines of communication open and building relationships. This means providing annual reports on their Sister Grand Lodge’s activities, sharing proceedings, and helping to organise visits.

Right now, several Sister Grand Lodges lack representation within our jurisdiction. The Committee is actively seeking nominations from qualified brethren to fill these roles.

It’s a chance to play a meaningful part in our global masonic community. If you’re interested in putting your name forward as a Grand Representative or contributing to the Committee’s work, please reach out to [email protected].