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GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE
AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF IRELAND QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION ‑THURSDAY, 3rd JUNE, 2004atFREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLINPresent:-
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, South Connaught, Down, Londonderry & Donegal, Midland Counties, North Munster, South Eastern, Tyrone & Fermanagh, Wicklow & Wexford, Ireland in India, Nigeria, Ghana and Jamaica & the Bahamas; the Provincial. Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, North Connaught, Down, Londonderry & Donegal, Meath, Midland Counties, North Munster and Tyrone & Fermanagh; R.W. Brother Ralph D. Seligman, Past Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda; R.W. Brother Cyril F. Foster, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Master of North Munster; R.W. Brother Richard Ensor, Chairman of the Metropolitan Board; R.W. Brothers Daniel B. Fincher, Nana Dr. Fredua Mensah, Kenneth G. Brislane and R. Stanley Johnston, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Brother J. David F. McKee, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; R.W. Brothers the Rev. Canon Richard H. Bertram, the Rev. Charles McCurdy and the Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers Albert Topping, Terence O. Read and Leslie V. Johnston, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brothers Major E. James Bate, MBE, Arnold J. Cooke, Raymond A. Leadbeater BEM, Anthony J. Darlison, Causi K. Maarfatia, Mervyn W. Morrison and Godwin O. Ogbetuo, Honorary Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Ralph B. McGuckin, Past Grand Superintendent of Works; V.W. Brother Chief G.A. Eke, Honorary Past Grand Superintendent of Works; V.W. Brothers Brian Sheridan and Samuel Scott, Honorary Past Grand Stewards; V.W. Brother Robert S. Morrow, Honorary Past Grand Sword Bearer; V.W. Brothers Arthur W. White, Trevor Monteith, William J. Johnston, Charles A. McCullough and Dennis R. Millen, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brother E.D. Andrew‑Jaja, Honorary Past Grand Steward of Charities; V.W. Brothers Bernard V.A. Woods and David A.R. Lovesy, Past Grand Almoners; V.W. Brothers Donald H. Finlay and William J. Dixon, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; V.W. Brother Dr. Samuel Opara, Honorary Past Grand Inner Guard; and R.W. Brother Henry M. Robinson, Past Grand Representative. SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTEDThe following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ England, Scotland, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium (Regular), Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece (National), Iceland, Italy (Regular), Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska; New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Brazil (Grand Orient), Chile, Colombia, Mato Grosso, Peru, Sao Paulo, Gabon, the Ivory Coast, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts and Ohio.APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCEApologies for non‑attendance were received from the R.W. Deputy Grand Master; the R.W. Provincial Grand Masters of Meath and Munster; the R.W. Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Armagh, South Connaught and Wicklow & Wexford; R.W. Brothers William W. Hughes and James E. Weir, Past Senior Grand Wardens; the R.W. Grand Treasurer; the R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brother the Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brother The Rev. Selwoode Graham, Junior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers The Rev. Canon Kenneth W. Cochrane, The Rev. Walter Herron and The Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers John McLean, Gordon V. Bradshaw, Charles R. Knipe, Donald C. Willson, Richard H. Gray and George B. Crooks, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Cecil Taylor, Past Assistant Grand Treasurer; V.W. Brothers Robert H.B. Mills and Samuel H. Boyle, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brothers Norman Jackson, S: Gordon Leathern, Thomas A.D. Martin, Robert T. Bashford, Samuel A. Mackenzie and Peter D.G. Read, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; R.W. Brothers Thomas G. Anderson and Charles Hatch, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Masters; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Victoria, Estonia, France (National), Yugoslavia, Arizona, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, West Virginia, Cuscatlan of El Salvador, Ecuador, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Madagascar; the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut; and R.W. Brother David Higginson, Past Grand Representative.DELEGATIONS FROM SISTER CONSTITUTIONSPrior to the opening of Grand Lodge, the Grand Director of Ceremonies escorted delegations from visiting Sister Grand Lodges into Grand Lodge. The Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium was represented by M.W. Brother Alexandre Cleven, Grand Master, and R.W. Brother Jose van Runckelen, Grand Secretary; the United Grand Lodge of England was represented by V.W. Brother John M. Hamill, PGSB.WELCOME TO DISTINGUISHED VISITORSGrand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master formally welcomed our distinguished visitors and the Senior Member of each delegation suitably replied. Following his reply, the Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium, M.W. Brother Alexandre Cleven, sought the Grand Master's permission to invest the Grand Secretary with the Medal of Merit of the Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium for services to Freemasonry over the years.OBITUARYThe Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of R.W. Bro. the Ven. E. Brian Snow, Past Senior Grand Chaplain, Representative of the Grand Lodge of South Africa; R.W. Brother Kofi A. Jackson, Past Provincial Assistant Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge of Ghana, Honorary Past Grand Deacon; V.W. Bro. Noel Speidel, Past Grand Deacon; V.W. Brother Robert Jones, OBE, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearer; R.W. Bro. Robert (Roy) T.G. Brown, Past Representative of the Grand Lodge of Finland; and R.W. Bro. Samuel A. Moore, J.P., Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. The memory of our departed distinguished Brethren was saluted in accordance with ancient custom.MINUTESOn the proposal of the R.W. Assistant Grand Master, seconded by the R.W. Senior Grand Warden, the Minutes of the Stated Communication of Grand Lodge held on Thursday, 4th March, 2004, which had been circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed.INVESTITURE OF FOREIGN GRAND REPRESENTATIVESThe Grand Master presented R.W. Brother William Mawhinney, Assistant Grand Master, with his Patent of Appointment as Representative of the Grand Lodge of India following its recent re‑recognition. The Grand Director of Ceremonies then formed a procession and presented R.W. Brothers Edward H. Newenham, George E. Lutton and Paul C. Stewart, who were in attendance and had produced their Patents of Appointment, to the Grand Master for investiture and formal presentation of their Patents of Appointment as Representatives of the Grand Lodges of New South Wales, Austria and Lithuania respectively. The newly invested Grand Representatives were conducted to their seats and were saluted.NOMINATION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS FOR 2005In accordance with Grand Lodge Law No. 43, the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes nominated the following Brethren to be the Grand Officers for 2005:‑
W. Brother Peter H. Mullock FCA, Past Master of Lodge No. 395, Dublin, was nominated as the Auditor of Grand Lodge Accounts for the year 2004.REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSESRead Memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to establish a Lodge in Paola, Malta, to be called "Hospitaller Lodge" No. 931. The Memorial was supported by Lodges Nos. 273, and 387, and by the Grand Inspector, R.W. Brother Joseph Cordina. The Memorial being in order and the fee having been paid, the Board recommended the issue of a new Warrant. Confirmed.The Board noted for reporting to Grand Lodge the return of the Warrants of Lodges Nos. 700, Belfast and 759, Belfast, on amalgamation with Lodge No. 597, Belfast.The Board noted, with regret, for reporting to Grand Lodge, the return of the Warrants of Lodges Nos. 542, Crawfordsburn; 558, Ballymacarcett; 690, Natal; and 782 and 858, South Africa Northern.There being vacancies in the Representation of nine Grand Lodges with which we are in amity, Grand Lodge approved the Grand Lodge Board nominations, as follows:
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Lithuania submitting the name of W. Brother Arturas Mazeika as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed. Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Vermont submitting the name of W. Brother Walter E. McEnaney as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Madagascar submitting the name of R.W. Brother JeanPierre Sanchis, Grand Secretary, as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.Read letter from the Grand Lodge of India ‑ submitting the name of M.W. Brother Dilip D. Udeshi, Past Grand Master, as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there.Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.Read letter from the Grand Lodge of New Zealand ‑ submitting the name of M.W. Brother Joseph deV. McManemin, Past Grand Master, as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.The Board considered an application for recognition from the Grand Lodge of Latvia. The Grand Secretary reported that, like the Grand Lodge of Lithuania which had recently been recognized, the Grand Lodge of Latvia had been constituted by the United Grand Lodges of Germany, with which we are in amity, and that we had received assurances from the United Grand Lodge of England as to its regularity. It was noted that the United Grand Lodge of England had granted recognition to the Grand Lodge of Latvia in the recent past. The Board recommended to Grand Lodge that recognition be granted to the Grand Lodge of Latvia and that an exchange of Representatives be agreed. Confirmed.The Board considered applications coming forward for dispensation under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118 for two Brethren, each to hold a Principal Office in two Lodges concurrently in the Province of South Africa Northern; and for a Brother to hold the Office of Secretary in two Lodges concurrently in the Province of the Midland Counties. Having considered the circumstances in each case, the Board recommended that Grand Lodge grant the dispensations as requested: Confirmed.At the conclusion of the Stated Meeting of the Board, a Special Meeting was held in accordance with Grand Lodge Law No. 66, at which were submitted the Accounts of Grand Lodge for 2003. The Accounts were considered in detail and very fall explanations given by the Grand Treasurer. Following his presentation, the Board agreed unanimously that the Accounts, as presented, be recommended to Grand Lodge for adoption. At Grand Lodge, as there were no queries arising in connection with the Accounts, R.W. Brother David A.R. Lovesy proposed their adoption, seconded by V.W. Brother David T. Young and this was passed unanimously.GRAND LODGE OF INSTRUCTIONRead letter from the Grand Lodge of Instruction seeking Grand Lodge approval for the reelection of V.W. Brother Michael J. Ward as Grand Secretary for Instruction and V.W. Brother Robert J. Armstrong as Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction. These re‑elections along with a concurrent request for the election of V.W. Brothers Edward C.W. Smith and Paul C. Stewart as members of the Grand Lodge of Instruction were confirmed.CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANKThe Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge, conferred the following Honorary Ranks:Past Grand Deacon
Past Grand Superintendent of Works
Past Grand Steward of CharitiesW. Bro. Richard Egbejule - P.M. of Lodge No. 857, Nigeria.Past Grand Sword BearerV.W. Bro. Col George K. Gillberry- P.M. of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322, Dudley, East Midlands.W. Bro. George U. Ehirim - P.M. of Lodge No. 875, Nigeria.Hon. P.M. of the Irish ConstitutionW. Bro. Raymond Bull ‑ P.M. of the English Constitution, an affiliate member of Lodge No. 322, Dudley, East Midlands.PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF HONORARY GRAND RANKV.W. Brothers K.H. Osei Asante and Colonel George Gillberry being in attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented them to the Grand Master for formal presentation with their Certificates of Honorary Grand Rank. The newly promoted Brethren were conducted to their seats and were saluted.GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESSThe Grand Master then addressed Grand Lodge, reporting on his visits to the Provincial Grand Lodges of Meath, in Virginia; Munster, in Cork; Wicklow & Wexford which was held in Freemasons' Hall and indicated that he planned to attend the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Connaught in Sligo, during the following week.The Grand Master confirmed that the Annual Tripartite Meeting between the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland would be held in Dublin this year during August; and that in October Grand Lodge would be hosting the European Grand Secretaries meeting, which came here every six years. The Grand Master then announced that a new three manual digital organ had been placed on order for Grand Lodge which should be in situ in September; and that it was planned to arrange a Concert in the Grand Lodge Room to coincide with the European Grand Secretaries meeting, on Saturday October 9a', which would feature Professor Peter Sweeney on the new organ along with the other members of his troupe consisting of a Solo Oboeist and a String Quartet to play a programme of music by Mozart, Haydn and Liszt who had all been Freemasons. This would be open to all, on a first‑come‑first‑served basis.The Grand Master announced that it had been decided that Grand Lodge should seek leave to have a Judicial Review of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's decision to include Freemasonry as a notifiable membership by members of the Force. In the event, leave was granted to obtain a Judicial Review at a date in Autumn 2004. The Police Federation also received permission to seek a Judicial Review concurrent with the Grand Lodge application.The Grand Master referred to the Grand Secretary's retirement, to take effect from the end of June 2005; and indicated that suitable applicants were being sought and that the Deputy Grand Master had set up a Committee, chaired by the Assistant Grand Master, to consider applications and interview short‑listed applicants for the post. He indicated that, at the same time, the Grand Treasurer was considering a review of possible changes in administrative procedures in order to maximise efficiencies and minimise costs.The Grand Master also announced the setting up of a company, Events GLI Limited, which would be the vehicle for the promotion of large scale concerts and entertainment events, with the sole purpose in mind of raising large sums of money for non‑masonic charities which could, in future, take the place of Grand Master's Charity Festivals. The Grand Master indicated that the first major concert would be held in January 2005 but, unfortunately, this had to be cancelled shortly after the meeting as it was learnt that major restructuring and upgrading of the Point Theatre was now scheduled to start in early January 2005.WELCOME TO VISITING BRETHRENThe Grand Master welcomed Brethren from overseas who were attending, including:‑ V.W. Bro. Major E. James Bate, MBE, and members of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322, Warwickshire; R.W. Bro. Derrick McCoy, PGM of Jamaica and the Bahamas and members of his Province, RW. Bro. Alabo T.O. Graham‑Douglas, PGM of Nigeria and members of his Province; R.W. Bro. Nana Herman A. Mould, PGM of Ghana and members of his Province; R.W. Bro. Ralph D. Seligman, Past Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda; R.W. Bro. Lahu C. Chogle, Provincial Grand Master of Ireland in India; and R.W. Bro. George Peake, Provincial Grand Master of the Isle of Man (E.C.) and accompanying Brethren.CHARITY COLLECTION The Charity Collection amounted to €1,130.GRAND LODGE CLOSEDGrand Lodge closed, following which over 120 Brethren and their partners, including our Distinguished Visitors from Sister Constitutions, attended a most enjoyable buffet supper in Freemasons' Hall later that evening.The Grand Master took the opportunity, following supper, to present Honorary Grand Rank certificates to two other Brethren attending Grand Lodge from overseas, R.W. Brother Gabriel O. Omodu, Provincial Assistant Grand Master and V.W. Brother Austin F. Akosa, Provincial Grand Secretary of Nigeria. |
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