GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF IRELAND 

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION ‑ THURSDAY, 5^th JUNE, 2003
at
FREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLIN

Present:‑

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, Meath, the Midland Counties, North Munster, South Eastern, Tyrone & Fermanagh, Wicklow & Wexford, Nigeria, Ghana, Bermuda and Jamaica; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Armagh, North Connaught, Meath, Midland Counties, North Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh, Wicklow & Wexford and Bermuda; R.W. Brother Joe Chiara, Grand Inspector for Gibraltar; R.W. Brother Clarence E. James, Past Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda; R.W. Brother Selwyn Davies, Chairman of the Metropolitan Board; R.W. Brother Charles Hatch, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Armagh; R.W. Brothers James E. Weir, Daniel B. Fincher and Kenneth G. Brislane, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Brother David McKee, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; R.W. Brothers The Rev. Canon Richard H. Bertram, The Rev. Charles McCurdy, The Rev. Canon Kenneth W. Cochrane and The Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers Charles R. Knipe, Arnold J. Cooke, E. James Bate, R.A. Leadbeater, A.J. Darlison, D.C. Willson, S.A. Eid, G.O. Ogbetuo, B.A Edegbe, R.H. Amaewhule, Sas George, Honorary Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Brian Sheridan, Past Grand Steward; V.W. Brothers Nana O. Nyampong, K.F. Cudjoe, R.L. Anderson, Honorary Past Grand Stewards; V.W. Brothers G.T. Jones and R.S. Morrow, Past Grand Sword Bearers; V.W. Brothers Arthur W. White and William J. Johnston, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brothers Bernard V.A. Woods and David A.R. Lovesy, Past Grand Almoners; V.W. Brothers Robert J. Hunter, Samuel A. Mackenzie, Donald H. Finlay and William J. Dixon, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; and V. W. Brother G.O. Omodu, Past Grand Inner Guard.

SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED

The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ England, Scotland, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Belgium (Regular), France (National), Germany (UGL), Greece (National), Iceland (National), Italy (Regular), the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (Legal/Regular), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Cuscatlan of El Salvador, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Sao Paolo, Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, Mali, South Africa, China, Japan and the Dominican Republic; and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Colorado, Connecticut and Ohio.

APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE

Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:‑ the Provincial Grand Masters of Munster and Ireland in India; R.W. Brothers Robert S. Hackett, W.J.E. Dukelow, R.S. Johnston, J. Greer, T. Noel Bownes and W.W. Hughes, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Brothers Robert Campbell and Nana Dr. Fredua Mensah, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Brother A.G. Megarry, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; R.W. Brother the Rt. Rev. S.G. Poyntz, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers The Ven. R.C. Stevenson and The Rev. Walter Herron, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers L.J.T. West, G.V. Bradshaw, M.W. Morrison, A. Topping, G.B. Crooks, John McLean and J.S. Dunlop, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brothers J.A. Agnew, S.H. Boyle and R.H.B. Mills, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brother C.G. Oakes, Past Grand Almoner; V.W. Brothers T.A.D. Martin, D.M. Wright and S.G. Leathern, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of British Columbia, New South Wales, New Zealand, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Benin, Guinea, Madagascar, the Philippines, the State of Israel; and R.W. Brothers T.G. Anderson, J. McDermott, H. Ross and D. Wakefield, Past Grand Representatives.

Prior 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 Italy was represented by M.W. Brother Fabio Venzi, Grand Master; the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was represented by M.W. Brother Jules S. Tepper, Grand Master; the Grand Lodge of Scotland was represented by Brother Walter Sneddon, R.W. Senior Grand Warden and Brother Robin D.H. Jackson, R.W. Junior Grand Warden; and the United Grand Lodge of England was represented by R.W. Brother the Rev. Canon Neil Collings, PJGD and V.W. Brother John M. Hamill, PSGD.

VISITING DELEGATIONS WELCOMED BY THE GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master formally welcomed our distinguished visitors and the Senior Member of each delegation suitably replied.

OBITUARY

The Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of R.W. Brother Trevor E. Winckworth, Past Provincial Grand Master of Meath; V.W. Brother Nana Albert K. Agyeman, Honorary Past Grand Deacon, Ghana; V.W. Brother William Stringer, Honorary Past Grand Steward; and R.W. Brother Norman J. Black, Representative of the National Grand Lodge of Togo. 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 Thursday, March 6^th, 2003, which had been circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

INVESTITURE OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF BERMUDA

R.W. Brother St.Clair Brinkworth Tucker, Honorary Past Grand Steward and Provincial Grand Master Designate of Bermuda, being in attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him to the Grand Master for Obligation, Investiture and Installation as Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda. R.W. Brother Tucker's sponsors were R.W. Brother Ralph D. Seligman and R.W. Brother Clarence E. James, Past Provincial Grand Masters. On placing him in his seat, the Grand Master proclaimed R.W. Brother Tucker as follows:

"Brethren, I hereby proclaim that, this day, R.W. Brother St. Clair Brinkworth Tucker, an Honorary Past Grand Steward of this Grand Lodge, Provincial Deputy Grand Master, has been duly obligated, invested and installed as R.W. Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bermuda. Brethren, assist me to salute our newly installed Provincial Grand Master". R.W. Brother Tucker was saluted.

NEW GRAND REPRESENTATIVE

R.W. Brother John Fryday, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, 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 and formal presentation of his Patent of Appointment as Representative of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan. R.W. Brother Fryday was conducted to his seat and was saluted.

NEW JEWEL FOR THE GRAND MASTER

The Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Brother George Dunlop, announced that a suitable jewel had been acquired by the Finance Committee of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes, executed in gold, diamonds and enamel work, to be worn by the Grand Master for the time being. The Deputy Grand Master produced the jewel and invested the Grand Master stating that he hoped he would long be spared to wear it.

NOMINATION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS FOR 2004

In accordance with Grand Lodge Law No. 43, the Board nominated the following Brethren to be the Grand Officers for 2004

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 2003.

REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES

Read Memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to establish a Lodge at Nassau, in the Bahamas, to be called Providence Lodge No. 928. The Memorial having been checked and found to be correct, and the Memorial being recommended by Lodges Nos. 390, 899, and 921, Jamaica, the Board recommended the issue of a new Warrant. Confirmed.

Read Memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to establish a Lodge in the Metropolitan Area of Dublin to be called Oracle Lodge No. 1003. The Memorial having been checked and found to be correct and the fee having been paid, the Board recommended the issue of a new Warrant. Confirmed.

Read Memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to establish a Lodge of Installed Masters at Doagh, in the Province of Antrim, to be called Fisherwick Lodge No. 505. The Memorial having been checked and found to be correct and being recommended by Lodges Nos. 317, 467 and 637, and by the Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Antrim; and the fee having been paid, the Board recommended the issue of a new Warrant. The Grand Secretary confirmed that Lord Fisherwick had given permission for his name to be used in the title of the Lodge and for the use of the family Coat of Arms. Confirmed.

Read Memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to establish a Lodge of Installed Masters at Newtownards, in the Province of Down, to be called Cuan Lodge of Installed Masters No. 930. The Memorial having been checked and found to be correct, and recommended by Lodges Nos. 354, 714, and 724, as well as the Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Down, and the fee having been paid, the Board recommended the issue of a new Warrant. Confirmed.

Vacancies having arisen in the Representation of a number of Sister Grand Lodges, the Board recommended the following nominations to Grand Lodge, for approval, which was confirmed, before their being forwarded to the Grand Lodges concerned for final ratification:

Read letters from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota and the State Grand. Lodge of Mato Grosso, submitting the names of M.W. Brother Arthur E. Johnson, Past Grand Master, Grand Secretary; W. Brother Thomas G. McCarthy; and Brother Jorge Budib, respectively, as suitable Brethren to act as our Grand Representatives there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered a request for dispensation under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118, submitted by Lodge No. 758, Natal, for a Brother to serve a third consecutive year as Wor. Master. Having considered the circumstances of the request, the Board recommended that Grand Lodge grant the dispensation, as requested. Confirmed.

The Board considered a request for permission to appeal to Lodges under the terns of Decision No. 15 of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes and, noting that the appeal comprised of a request for sponsorship in support of the Masonic Charities for a member of Lodge No. 203, Magherally, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, recommended that Grand Lodge 0‑ant approval. 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 the year 2002. The Accounts were considered and very full 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. The Grand Treasurer, R.W. Brother Charles W. Olden, being in attendance, indicated, at this point, that as copies of the Accounts were available for many within Grand Lodge, he did not propose to go through them in detail, outlining the fact that he planned, in future and as necessary, to increase Grand Lodge dues on a regular but minimal basis and not at lengthy intervals by large amounts. The Grand Treasurer then proposed the adoption of the Accounts. The proposal was seconded by the Deputy Grand Master and passed unanimously.

GRAND LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

Read 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, V.W. Brother Robert J. Armstrong as Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction and for the election of V.W. Brothers Charles Hatch, Robert M. Gordon, D. John Long, Robert J.F. Thompson and John W. Hill as members of the Grand Lodge of Instruction. Confirmed.

PRESENTATION TO THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF BERMUDA

W. Brother David Mello, a member of the Bermuda Lodge of Installed Masters No. 924, being in attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him, with the Grand Master's permission, to the newly installed Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda, R.W. Brother St. Clair B. Tucker, in order to present Brother Tucker with a replica of the Ball's Bridge Square, bearing the number 224 in the limited edition series, this being the number of the Provincial Grand Master's Mother Lodge, Hannibal Lodge No. 224, St. George's, Bermuda. The Provincial Grand Master thanked Brother Mello for his generous and most appropriate gift.

GRAND LODGE CHARITY

Grand Lodge approved a recommendation coming forward from the Grand Lodge Committee of Charity for a special grant of €700 to the widow of a former Brother of Lodge No. 62 (old), Tralee.

NOTICE OF MOTION

The Grand Secretary, on behalf of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes, handed in Notice of Motion to amend Grand Lodge Laws Nos. 116 and 163 with regard to the precedence of Provincial Grand Lodge and Lodge Officers following on the recent amendment to Grand Lodge Law No. 5.

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANK

The Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge, conferred the following Honorary Ranks:

REPORT BY THE GRAND MASTER

The Grand Master then addressed Grand Lodge, reporting on his visits, since the last Grand Lodge Communication, to our three Provincial Grand Lodges in South Africa, during the month of March; and his visit to attend the 10^th Anniversary Communication of the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy in Taormina, Sicily, in early April, followed by a visit to the Inspectorate Area of Malta. The Grand Master also reported on the favourable publicity which was now being enjoyed by Freemasonry and announced that PR Consultants had been retained ‑ one in Belfast and one in Dublin ‑ to present the positive aspect of Freemasonry to the general public. The Grand Master also announced that a new Grand Lodge tie was in the process of design and production and he hoped that it would be available for Brethren to purchase in the reasonably near future.

WELCOME TO OVERSEAS BRETHREN

The Grand Master welcomed R.W. Brother St. Clair B. Tucker, newly installed Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda, and the distinguished Brethren accompanying him; R.W. Brother Alabo T.O. Graham‑Douglas, Provincial Grand Master of Nigeria, and his accompanying Brethren; R.W. Brother Nana Herman A. Mould, Provincial Grand Master of Ghana, and his accompanying Brethren; R.W. Brother Derrick V. McCoy, Provincial Grand Master of Jamaica accompanied by V.W. Brother Trevor Jones and W. Brother Michael Benjamin; R.W. Brother Joe Chiara, Grand Inspector for Gibraltar; V.W. Brother Major E. James Bate MBE and members of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322, including R.W. Brother Stanley A. Lates, Past Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire (E.C.); and V.W. Bro. Major Don Willson of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 295, Royal Dragoon Guards. The Grand Master thanked these Brethren for their attendance and their annual support of this Grand Lodge Communication.

The Grand Master also took the opportunity to welcome Brethren from Sister Constitutions who were visiting Grand Lodge including Senior Brethren from a number of Grand Lodges in North America, accompanying M.W. Brother Jules Tepper, including the Grand Lodges of Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina; V.W. Brother Kent Henderson and Brethren from the Grand Lodge of South Australia; Brother David Owen, R.W. Proxy District Grand Master of Guyana (SC) accompanied by other Scottish Brethren; R.W. Brother James W. Hogg, Past District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 29 under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Florida; and W. Brother Harold Shore, a member of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.

CHARITY COLLECTION

The Charity Collection amounted to €1,083.

Grand Lodge closed, following which over 140 Brethren and their partners, including our Distinguished Visitors from Sister Constitutions, attended a most enjoyable buffet supper in Freemasons' Hall later that evening.