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GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
of IRELAND
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION - THURSDAY 6th JUNE, 2002
at
FREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLIN
Present:-
M. W. Grand Master
R. W. Deputy Grand Master
R. W. Assistant Grand Master
R.W. Senior Grand Warden
R. W. Junior Grand Warden
R.W. Grand Treasurer
R.W. Grand Secretary
R. W. Senior Grand Chaplain
R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains
V.W. Senior Grand Deacon
V.W. Junior Grand Deacon
V. W. Grand Superintendent of Works
V. W. Grand Director of Ceremonies
V.W. Assistant Grand Treasurer
V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary
V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary
V. W. Ass. Gnd Director of Cerem.
V. W. Grand Steward
V. W. Grand Sword Bearer
V. W. Grand Stewards of Charities
V.W. Grand Almoners
V. W. Grand Organist
V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer
As V.W. Grand Inner Guard
V. W. Grand Secretary for Instruction
V.W. Ass. Gnd Secy for Instruction
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Eric N. Waller, on the Throne
George Dunlop
William Mawhinney
R. Stanley Johnston
James Kirk
Charles W. Olden
Michael W. Walker
Ven. E. Brian Snow
Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles
Rev. Canon George N. Little
Allen G. Megarry
Norman Humes
David T. Young
Cecil D. Bums
Cecil Taylor
D. Barry Lyons
Michael R. McWilliam
Mucus O. Steenson
Richard H. Gray
William G. Manning
Charles A. McCullough
Samuel J. Patience
Alan R.G.R. Patterson
William M. Lee
John N. Rowden
Winston C. Patterson
William J. Dixon
John S. Dunlop
Michael J. Ward
Robert J. Armstrong
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There were also present:-
M. W. Brother Lord Donegall, Past Grand
Master; R. W. Brother R. Eric Fenelon, Past Deputy Grand Master; the Provincial
Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, Down, Londonderry &
Donegal, Meath, Midland Counties, Munster, North Munster, Tyrone &
Fermanagh, Wicklow & Wexford, Nigeria, Ghana and Bermuda and the Chairman of
the Metropolitan Board; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh,
North Connaught, South Connaught, Down, Londonderry & Donegal, Meath,
Midland Counties, Munster, North Munster, South Eastern, Tyrone & Fermanagh,
Wicklow & Wexford and Nigeria; R.W. Bros. James E. Weir, Daniel B. Fincher
and Alan S. Watt, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Bros. Rev. Chutes McCurdy and
Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Bros. Leslie V.
Johnston, John R. Hadden, J. Noel Millar, Charles R. Knipe, Mervyn W. Morrison,
Arnold J. Cooke, Donald C. Willson, E. James Bate and Anthony J. Darlison, Past
Grand Deacons; V. W. Brother Ralph B. McGuckin, Past Grand Superintendent of
Works; V.W. Brother David McKee, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; V.W. Bros,
Bernard V.A. Woods and David A.R. Lovesy, Past Grand Almoners; V.W. Bros. Robert
J. Hunter, Samuel A. Mackenzie and Donald H. Finlay, Past Grand Master's
Standard Bearers; R.W. Bros. T. Noel Bownes and Robert S. Hackett, Past
Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Bro. Charles Hatch, Past Provincial Deputy Grand
Master; and V.W. Bros. Arthur Lambert, Reginald Mack, John Torley and Robert S.
Morrow, Past Grand Sword Bearers.
SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
The following Grand Lodges were represented:-
England, Scotland, Alberta, Canada in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
Prince Edward Island, Victoria, Western Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania,
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of
Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode
Island. South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, Cuscatlan of El Salvador, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Sao
Paulo, Benin, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, China, Japan, the
Philippines, the State of Israel, the Dominican Republic and the Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Ohio.
APOLOGIES FOR NON-ATTENDANCE
Apologies for non-attendance were received from:-
the R.W. Grand Registrar; V.W. Bro. Dennis R Millen, Grand Steward of Charities;
V. W. Bro. Alan R. Crowe, Grand Inner Guard; the Provincial Grand Masters of
South Connaught and South Eastern; R.W. Bro. Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past
Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Bro. Rev. Kenneth W. Cochrane, Past Junior Grand
Chaplain; R.W. Bros. Robert J. Thomson, William W. Hughes and John Greer, Past
Provincial Grand Masters; V.W. Bros. George B. Crooks, Albert Topping, Leslie G.
Evans and Emmanuel Markin Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Bro. Michael R. Bicknell,
Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; V.W. Bros. Arthur W. White, William J.
Johnston, Trevor Monteith, Andrew McFetrldge and Herbert A. Walsh, Past Grand
Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brother Cecil G. Oakes, Past Grand Almoner; V. W.
Bros. Thomas A.D. Martin, Robert T. Bashford and David M. Wright, Past Grand
Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of
Saskatchewan, New South Wales, Estonia, Greece, Norway, Turkey, Hawaii,
Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Grand Orient of Brazil,
Burkina Faso, Guinea, the Ivory Coast and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Connecticut; and R.W. Bros. Harold Ross and Henry M. Robinson, Past Grand
Representatives.
VISITING DELEGATIONS
Prior to the opening of Grand Lodge, the Grand
Director of Ceremonies escorted delegations from visiting Sister Grand Lodges
into Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Estonia was represented by M. W. Bro. Raido
Ruutel, Grand Master; the National Grand Lodge of Togo was represented by R. W.
Bro. Joseph K. Kpelly‑Hukporti, Deputy Grand Master; the Regular Grand
Lodge of Italy was represented by M. W. Bro. Fabio Venzi, Grand Master; the
Grand Lodge of Scotland was represented by Bro. Archibald D. Orr Ewing, M.W.
Grand Master Mason and Bro. C. Martin McGibbon, R.W. Grand Secretary; and the
United Grand Lodge of England was represented by R.W. Bro. David Williamson,
Assistant Grand Master and V.W. Bro. Robert Morrow, Grand Secretary.
WELCOME BY THE GRAND MASTER
Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master
formally welcomed our distinguished visitors, on whose behalf R.W. Bro. David
Williamson, Assistant Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England,
suitably replied.
OBITUARY
The Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of
R.W. Bro. Capt. Sam B. Aga, Provincial Grand Master of Ireland in India; R.W.
Bro. Gabriel D.H. Pieterse, Past Provincial Grand Master, South Africa Northern;
R.W. Bro. Rev. Matthew G. Evans, Past Junior Grand Chaplain; V.W. Bro. Noel J.
Gibson, Pest Grand Deacon; V.W. Bro. Kenneth B. Pride, Honorary Past Grand
Deacon, Natal; V.W. Bro. William P. Apps, Honorary Past Grand Director of
Ceremonies, the Far East; R.W. Bro. Frederick R Kane, Past Representative of the
Grand Lodge of Chile; and V.W. Bro. Joseph Gordon, Elected Member of the Grand
Lodge of Instruction. The memory of our departed distinguished Brethren was
saluted in accordance with ancient custom.
MINUTES
On the proposal of the R.W. Deputy Grand Master,
seconded by the R.W. Assistant Grand Master, the Minutes of the Stated
Communication of Grand Lodge held on Saturday March 2"°, 2002, which had
been circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed.
INVESTITURE OF FOREIGN GRAND
REPRESENTATIVE
R.W. Brother Basil French, being in attendance
and having produced his Patent of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies
formed a procession and presented him to the Grand Master for investiture as
Representative of the Grand Lodge of Chile. R.W. Brother French was conducted to
his seat and was saluted.
MOTION TO AMEND GRAND LODGE LAWS
Notice of Motion having been handed in at the
previous Communication of Grand Lodge to amend Grand Lodge Laws Nos. 43, 47, 49,
119, 121 and 148, and the appropriate amendments having been circulated with the
notice for this Communication of Grand Lodge, and since there was no disapproval
voiced, on the proposal of the R.W. Deputy Grand Master, seconded by the R.W.
Assistant Grand Master, the amendments to the above Laws, as set out below, were
approved.
No. 43 In line 5 for "October" substitute
"June"; and in line 12 for "December" substitute
"October".
No. 47 In line 2, after the word "Fraternity' delete
as far as "be not approved" in line 6; and in line 8 for "some
other" substitute "a suitably qualified"
No. 49 In line 7, after the word "summon" insert
the words "a meeting of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes to be
followed by an Emergency"; and also in line 7, after the words "Grand
Lodge" insert the words ", if deemed expedient,".
No. 119 In line 5 for "on St. John's Day" substitute
"in December". No. 121 In line 7 for "on St. John's Day, 27'°
December" substitute "in December". No. 148 In line 12 for
"27'" December" substitute "30" November"
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NOMINATION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS
FOR 2003
In accordance with Grand Lodge Law No. 43, the Board nominated the following
Brethren as the Grand Officers for 2003:
Grand Master
Eric N. Waller
Senior Grand Warden
James Kirk
Junior Grand Warden
Robert J. Thomson
Grand Treasurer
Charles W. Olden
Grand Registrar
Arthur D.S. Moran
Senior Grand Chaplain
Ven. E. Brian Snow
Junior Grand Chaplains
Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles
Rev. Canon George N. Little
Senior Grand Deacon
Richard H. Gray
Junior Grand Deacon William G. Manning
Grand Superintendent of Works
David T. Young
Grand Director of Ceremonies Cecil D. Burns
Ass. Grand Director of Ceremonies Marcus O.
Steenson
Grand Steward
Winston C. Patterson
Grand Sword Bearer Alan R. Crowe
Grand Stewards of Charities
Charles A. McCullough
Samuel J. Patience
Dennis R. Millen
Grand Almoners
Alan R.G.R. Patterson
William M. Lee
Grand Organist
John N. Rowden
Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
Cecil P. Tilson
Grand Inner Guard
Gordon Morrison
W. Brother Peter H. Mullock FCA, Past Master of Lodge No.
395, Dublin, was nominated as Auditor of Grand Lodge Accounts for the year 2002.
REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES
Read Memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to
establish a Lodge at Deno, Ghana, to be called Omega Lodge No. 927. The Memorial
was recommended by Lodges Nos. 866, 887, 890, and by the Provincial Grand Master
and Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Ghana. The documentation being in order
and the fee having been paid, the Board recommended the issue of anew Warrant.
Confirmed.
Vacancies having arisen in the Representation of
the Grand Lodges of Finland, Quebec, Queensland, Illinois, Indiana, South
Carolina and the York Grand Lodge of Mexico, the Board recommended that the
names of W. Brother Alan Rankin, Past Master of Lodge No. 628, Belfast; W.
Brother Gordon Allen, Past Master of Lodge No. 620, Dublin; W. Brother Reginald
D. Neill, Past Master of Lodge No. 426, Dublin; W. Brother Ivan Meldrum, Past
Master of Lodge No. 220, Pettigo; W. Brother Frederick Haugh, Past Master of
Lodge No. 168, Ballymacarrett; W. Brother Brian O'Byrne, Past Master of Lodge
No. 25, Dublin; and W. Brother Mervyn A. Dowling, Past Master of Lodge No. 432,
Belfast, be sent forward, respectively, for consideration by those Grand Lodges
as suitable Brethren to act as their Grand Representatives here. Confirmed.
Read letter from the National Grand Lodge of
France, submitting the name of R.W. Brother Nathaniel Granstein, Assistant Grand
Master, as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there.
Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered applications from the Prince
Hall Grand Lodges of Colorado and Pennsylvania for the granting of recognition
thereto. These Prince Hall Grand Lodges both being recognized by the State Grand
Lodge with jurisdiction in the States of Colorado and Pennsylvania,
respectively, and both being already recognized by the United Grand Lodge of
England, the Board recommended the granting of recognition to the Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Colorado and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Confirmed.
The Board considered a request for travelling
facilities within the islands of Malta and Gozo to be granted for the Warrant of
Lodge No. 906, and, in view of the reasons put forward by the Grand Inspector,
R.W. Brother Joseph Cordina, recommended that Grand Lodge approve the granting
of travelling facilities to the Lodge. The Board, having considered the reasons
put forward, recommended that Grand Lodge approve the granting of travelling
facilities to the Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a request for dispensation
under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118 for a Brother to serve the Office of
Wor. Master in Lodges Nos. 44, Clonmel, and 426, Dublin, concurrently. In view
of the arguments put forward, the Board recommended that Grand Lodge approve the
de facto situation, in retrospect. Confirmed.
The Board considered a charge of unmasonic
conduct brought against Brother Michael Magowan of Chichester Lodge No. 313,
Carrickfergus, in that on the ninth day of February 2000, at the Crown Court in
Belfast, he was convicted, on his plea of guilty, of intention to pervert the
course of public justice. Brother Magowan was sentenced to one year's
imprisonment. The Standing Committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim met
on Tuesday Much 19't, 2002, to hear the charge finding that a prima facie case
had been established. A subsequent meeting of the Standing Committee was held on
Monday, May 13`h, 2002, at which Brother Magowan attended, accompanied by his
Solicitor. Read report thereon from the Standing Committee of the Provincial
Grand Lodge of Antrim finding that the charge of unmasonic conduct was
substantiated and recommending that Brother Magowan be suspended for a period of
at least one year. The Board so recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
GRAND LODGE OF INSTRUCTION
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Instruction
seeking Grand Lodge approval for the reelection of V.W. Bro. Michael J. Ward as
Grand Secretary for Instruction and V.W. Bro. Robert J. Armstrong as Assistant
Grand Secretary for Instruction. Confirmed.
NOTICE OF MOTION TO AMEND GRAND
LODGE LAW NO. 5
The Grand Secretary, on behalf of the Grand Lodge
Board of General Purposes, handed in Notice of Motion to amend Grand Lodge Law
No. 5 to amend the precedence of the Grand Director of Ceremonies. Details of
the Motion will appear on the notice for the October Communication of Grand
Lodge.
FREEMASONS OF IRELAND MEDICAL
RESEARCH FUND
The Grand Secretary, on behalf of the Trustees of
the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland Medical Research Fund, handed in Notice
of Motion to appoint two new Trustees at the October Communication of Grand
Lodge.
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY RANKS
The Grand Master with the concurrence of Grand Lodge conferred the following
Honorary Ranks:-
Past Junior Grand Chaplain - R .W. Bro. Rev. Canon William N.K.
Amamoo on promotion from Past Grand Deacon.
Past Grand Deacons
V.W. Bro. David Lai Kim Hem, R. W. District Grand Master of the Middle East,
(S.C.).
V. W. Bro. Peter C. Vanniasingham, R. W. Past District Grand Master of the
Middle East, (S.C.).
V.W. Bro. Terrence W. de Beer, on promotion from Past Grand Steward.
V. W. Bro. Gaetan L. Lawson, on promotion from Past Grand Director of
Ceremonies.
V.W. Bro. Joseph K. Ayekpa, on promotion from Past Grand Steward.
V.W. Bro. Sas George, on promotion from Past Grand Steward.
V.W. Bro. Gokeola O. Ekisola, on promotion from Past Grand Director of
Ceremonies, Nigeria.
V.W. Bro. Rowland H. Amaewhule, on promotion from Past Grand Lodge Standard
Bearer.
Past Grand Superintendent of Works
V. W. Bro. William K. Mann, Past Master of Lodge 849, Obuasi, Ghana.
V.W. Bro. Steven I. Alete, Past Master of Lodge No. 828, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
V. W. Bro. Vincent B. Nyana, Past Master of Lodge No. 893, Lolia‑Okrika,
Nigeria
Past Grand Director of Ceremonies
V. W. Bro. Igbikibiebo C. Iniabere, Past Master of Lodge No. 828, Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.
V. W. Bro. Friday E.S. Ugheberio, Past Master of Lodge No. 857, Benin City,
Nigeria.
V. W. Bro. Patrick A. Ogoegbunam, Past Master of Lodge No. 885, Onitsha,
Nigeria.
Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
V.W. Bro. Arthur J. Lambert, on promotion from Past Grand Sword Bearer.
V.W. Bro. Charles E. Shrimpton, on promotion from Past Grand Sword Bearer.
Past Grand Steward
V.W. Bro. Charles Amissah-Aidoo, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, Ghana.
V.W. Bro. Kobla French Cudjoe, Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies,
Ghana.
V.W. Bro. Nana Osae Nyampong VI, Honorary Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, Ghana.
V.W. Bro. Usen J.U. Eka, Past Master of Lodge No. 892, Uyo, Nigeria.
Past Grand Sword Bearer
V.W. Bro. Gbogboade Akitoye, Past Master of Lodge No. 838, Ibidan, Nigeria.
Past Grand Inner Guard
V. W. Bro. Ekpema D. Ikpe, Past Master of Lodge No. 892, Lye, Nigeria.
Past Master of the Irish Constitution
V. W. Bro. Geofrey Adjin Lartey, Past Master of Lodge No. 1522 (S.C.)
Achimota, Ghana.
V.W. Bro. Edmond Kotokou Anthony, Past Master of Lodge No. 1677 (S.C.) Togo.
PRESENTATION OF HONORARY GRAND
RANK CERTIFICATES
V.W. Bro. Rowland H. Amaewhule and V.W. Bro.
Arthur J. Lambert, being in attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies
presented them to the Grand Master to receive their Certificates of Honorary
Grand Rank as Past Grand Deacon and Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies,
respectively.
VISITING BRETHREN WELCOMED
The Grand Master welcomed RW. Bro. Alabo T.O.
Graham‑Douglas, Provincial Grand Master of Nigeria, and his party; R.W.
Bro. Nana Herman A. Mould, Provincial Grand Master of Ghana; V.W. Bro. Major E.
James Bate MBE and members of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322; V.W. Bro. Major Don
Willson and members of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 295, Royal Dragoon Guards; and
R.W. Bro. Stanley A. Lates, Past Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire (E.C.);
along with any other Brethren from overseas or who had travelled long distances
to be at the Communication of Grand Lodge.
GRAND MASTER'S REPORT
The Grand Master expressed his thanks to the
Provincial Grand Master and Brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster
for the excellent arrangements which had been made for the March Communication
of Grand Lodge in Cork. Everything had gone according to plan and the whole
weekend had proved a most enjoyable and rewarding experience.
The Grand Master confirmed that since the March
Communication of Grand Lodge he and the Grand Secretary had visited the Regular
Grand Lodge of Belgium, in Brussels; and the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy, in
Rome, for the Installation of a new Grand Master on both occasions.
The new Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge
of Italy, M.W. Brother Fabio Venzi, was present, on this occasion on a
reciprocal visit; and the Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium,
M.W. Brother Alexandre Cleven, planned to visit us next year. Visits to both
European Sister Grand Lodges had been most useful and successful occasions.
The Grand Master reported on a visit to the
Northern Provinces with a Gala Dinner at the Balmoral Conference Centre which
had attracted much positive media attention and comment. This was followed up by
a visit to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim, meeting at Lame, where he had
received a most enthusiastic welcome.
In closing, the Grand Master reported that he
along with a number of the Trustees of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland
Medical Research Fund had visited Belfast City Hospital where the Fund is
supporting a research project into cochlear transplants for profoundly deaf
children, and others, over a three year period. The consultant, Mr. J.G. Toner,
and members of his staff, had reported on progress with the research, which was
most positive, and indicating that they would be happy to acknowledge the
support given by the Order when presenting lectures at professional Conferences
and in professional medical publications detailing the research findings.
CHARITY COLLECTION
The Charity Collection amounted to E 1,070.
Grand Lodge closed, following which some 125
Brethren and their partners, including our Distinguished Visitors from Sister
Constitutions, attended a most enjoyable buffet supper in Freemasons' Hall later
that evening.
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