GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF IRELAND

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION ‑ THURSDAY, 6th MARCH, 2003
at
The Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan

Present:‑

There were also present:‑ R.W. Brother R. Eric Fenelon, Past Deputy Grand Master; R.W. Brothers the Rev. Walter Herron and the Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; the Provincial Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Meath, Midland Counties, North Munster, South Eastern and Wicklow & Wexford; the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board ; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, Down, Londonderry & Donegal, Meath; Midland Counties, North Munster and Tyrone & Fermanagh; R.W. Brothers John Greer, T. Noel Bownes, William J.E. Dukelow, and Trevor Winckworth, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Brothers Allen G. Megarry and Michael R. Bicknell, Past Grand Directors of Ceremonies; V.W. Brothers Albert Topping, Terence O. Read and William G. McElwaine, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Cecil Taylor, Past Assistant Grand Treasurer; V.W. Brother Arthur W. White, Past Grand Steward of Charities; V.W. Brothers Robert J. Hunter and William J. Dixon, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; V.W. Brother Arnold J. Cooke, Honorary Past Grand Deacon; V.W. Brother Brian Sheridan, Honorary Past Grand Steward; and John H.L. Stuart, Past Foreign Grand Representative.

SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED

The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ Alberta, British Columbia, Canada (in Ontario), Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, Austria, Denmark, France (National), Iceland (National), Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island; South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Cuscatlan of El Salvador, Argentina, Grand Orient of Brazil, Ecuador, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Senegal, China, Japan, The Philippines, The State of Israel, Cuba, The Dominican Republic and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Colorado and Ohio.

APOLOGIES FOR NON-ATTENDANCE

Apologies for non-attendance were received from:‑ M.W. Brother Lord Donegall, Past Grand Master; the R.W. Grand Treasurer; the R.W. Grand Secretary; the R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain; the V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary-Charity; the V.W. Grand Sword Bearer; the Provincial Grand Masters of Londonderry & Donegal, Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Bermuda; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Armagh, Munster and Wicklow & Wexford; R.W. Brothers Robert Campbell and William W. Hughes, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Brother Dr. Charles Hatch, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Armagh; R.W. Brother David McKee, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; R.W. Brother the Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers the Ven. R. Clayton Stevenson, the Rev. Charles McCurdy and the Rev. Canon Richard H. Bertram, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brother J. Noel Millar, Past Grand Deacon; V.W. Brothers Gordon V. Bradshaw, Charles R. Knipe and Sqn. Ldr. Laurence J.T. West, Honorary Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Ralph B. McGuckin, Past Grand Superintendent of Works; V.W. Brothers Samuel H. Boyle and Trevor Monteith, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brother Bernard V.A. Woods, and David A.R. Lovesy, Past Grand Almoners; V.W. Brothers Donald H. Finlay, T.A. Derek Martin and David M. Wright, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of New Brunswick, Tasmania, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy (Regular), Norway, Poland, Portugal (Regular), Alpina of Switzerland, Connecticut, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Sao Paulo, Gabon, Guinea and Mali and R.W. Brothers Harold R. Ross and Douglas Wakefield, Past Grand Representatives.

WELCOME

Grand Lodge being opened, R.W. Brother John F. Wood, Provincial Grand Master of Meath, welcomed the Grand Master, Grand Officers and Brethren to the Province of Meath. The Provincial Grand Master outlined the history of the Province and said how pleased they were to be hosting this Communication of Grand Lodge, its first visit to the Province in fifty‑one years.

OBITUARY

Following his reply thanking the Provincial Grand Master and Brethren of Meath, the Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of R.W. Bro. Alan S. Watt MBE, Past Senior Grand Warden; R.W. Bro. William E. Davies, Past Grand Inspector for Malta, Honorary Past Junior Grand Warden; R.W. Bro. the Rev. Canon William B. Evans, Past Junior Grand Chaplain; V.W. Bro. Iseye R.J. Douglas, Honorary Past Grand Steward of Charities, Provincial Grand Secretary, Nigeria; R.W. Bro. William L. Fry, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Florida; R.W. Bro. Joseph Thompson, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota; and R.W. Bro. William P. Tweed, Past Representative of the Grand Lodge of Victoria. The memory of our departed distinguished Brethren was saluted in accordance with ancient custom.

MINUTES

On the proposal of the Senior Grand Warden, seconded by the Junior Grand Warden, the Minutes of the December 7^th, 2002, Communication of Grand Lodge were confirmed and signed.

INVESTITURE OF PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER

R.W. Brother William W.T. Shortland, Provincial Grand Master Designate of South Connaught, 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. R.W. Brother Shortland's sponsors were R.W. Brother Robert S. Hackett and W. Brother Nigel Foley‑Fisher. On placing him in his chair, the Grand Master proclaimed R.W. Brother William W.T. Shortland as follows, "Brethren, I hereby proclaim that, this day, R.W. Brother William W.T. Shortland, Provincial Deputy Grand Master, has been duly obligated, invested and installed as R.W. Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Connaught"; and he was saluted.

NEW GRAND REPRESENTATIVES

R.W. Brothers Richard J. Reid, Charles Meban and Ivan A. Meldrum being in attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented them to the Grand Master for investiture and presentation of their Patents of Appointment as Representatives of the Grand Lodges of British Columbia, Denmark (National) and Illinois respectively. The newly invested Grand Representatives were conducted to their seats and were saluted.

WARRANTS

In accordance with the Provisions of Grand Lodge Law No. 67 paragraph II, the Assistant Grand Secretary submitted the list of Warrants surrendered and the names of Brethren expelled, suspended, struck off and restored during the previous twelve months.

MOTION TO AMEND GRAND LODGE LAW NO. 54

Motion to amend Grand Lodge Law No. 54

The Grand Lodge Board had considered a Motion, notice of which had been handed in at Grand Lodge on December 7^th, 2002, to reduce the number of Representatives on the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes. The following format was approved with the rider that so long as W. Brother Kwesi O‑P Ackah was available, he would continue to represent the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ghana.

The Law to now read:-

54. The Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes shall consist of the following:-

3 Representatives to be elected by the Board of General Purposes of the Metropolitan District
5 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim
4 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down
3 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Londonderry & Donegal.
2 each by the Provincial Grand Lodges of Armagh and Tyrone & Fermanagh.
1 each by the Provincial Grand Lodges of North Connaught, South Connaught, Meath, The Midland Counties, Munster, North Munster, South Eastern and Wicklow & Wexford.

The Motion was proposed by the R.W. Deputy Grand Master, seconded by the R.W. Assistant Grand Master and approved by Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE OF INSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS

Motion to amend Rules Nos. 1 & 20 of the Grand Lodge of Instruction

The Grand Lodge Board had considered a Motion, notice of which had also been handed in at the December 7^th, 2002, Communication of Grand Lodge to amend Rules Nos. 1 & 20 of the Grand Lodge of Instruction and recommended appropriately.

The Motion was proposed by the V.W. Grand Secretary for Instruction, seconded by the V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction and approved by Grand Lodge.

REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES

The Board noted, with regret, for reporting to Grand Lodge, the decision of the Brethren of Lodge No. 698, Belfast, to return the Warrant.

A vacancy having arisen in the Representation of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, the Board recommended that the name of V.W. Brother John Fryday, Past Master of Lodge No. 44, Clonmel, be sent forward for consideration by the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan as a suitable Brother to act as their Grand Representative here. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the Representation of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, the Board recommended that the name of W. Brother Victor Scott, Past Master and Secretary of Lodge No. 85, Carrickmacross, be sent forward for consideration by the Grand Lodge of Missouri as a suitable Brother to act as their Grand Representative here. Confirmed.

Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Montana, submitting the name of Brother R. Bruce McGinnis as a suitable Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Peru submitting the name of W. Brother Salvador Sonana Montoya as a suitable Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered a recommendation coming forward from the Grievance Committee that recognition be again extended to the Grand Lodge of India. It was noted that recognition had been restored by the United Grand Lodge of England following lengthy negotiations ending with the drawing up of a new Concordat which had been signed by Representatives of both Grand Lodges. Following discussion it was agreed that the Board would recommend to Grand Lodge that recognition be restored provided that the Grand Lodge of India agreed to a similar format to that already agreed with the United Grand Lodge of England. Confirmed.

The Board considered a request for recognition from the Grand Lodge of Slovenia. It was noted that Freemasonry had been restored to Slovenia by the Grand Lodge of Austria which had created three Lodges under its Jurisdiction. When the Grand Lodge of Austria was satisfied that these Lodges were operating successfully and regularly, it had constituted them into the Grand Lodge of Slovenia which had now been working in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, since October 1999. Noting the regularity of its constitution and the fact that, it was already recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England, the Board decided to recommend to Grand Lodge that recognition be granted to the Grand Lodge of Slovenia. Confirmed.

The Board considered a charge of umnasonic conduct brought against Brother Stephen B. Boyle, a member of the Patrick Lodge No. 493, Broughshane, in that on January 21^st, 2001, he indecently exposed himself with intent to insult a female, contrary to Section 4 (d) of the Vagrancy Act 1824. Brother Boyle was, on his plea of guilty, convicted and placed on probation for 12 months with an additional condition to undertake a Sex Offender Programme as directed by the Supervising Probation Officer. Read report thereon from the Standing Committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim which met on Monday January 20^th, 2003, to consider the case which found that a prima facie case existed and the Committee met again subsequently on Monday February 3^rd, 2003 when Brother Boyle was summoned to attend. On his failure to attend, the charge was considered in absentia, the Standing Committee finding that the charge of unmasonic conduct was substantiated and recommending that Brother Boyle be suspended for a minimum period of one year. On considering a subsequent written submission from Brother Boyle, and in recognition of the fact that the matter had taken place over two years ago, the Board recommended that the period of suspension be reduced to six months. Confirmed.

The Board considered a breach of Grand Lodge Laws Nos. 80 & 81 by Roselands Lodge No. 693, Belfast, in that a Mr. Gary Newberry had been initiated at an Emergency Communication of the Lodge held on Friday November 30^th, 2001, despite the fact that they had not received notification that his application had been passed by the appropriate Inspection Committee. The Lodge subsequently received a certificate dated January 15^th, 2002, from the Ballymacarrett Inspection Committee stating that Mr. Newberry was not recommended for membership of the Order. The Board noted that Mr. Newberry had not progressed to the Second Degree. The Grand Lodge Board recommended that he should not progress in membership and that the Lodge be notified to that effect. In view of the seriousness of the matter involving possible suspension or cancellation of the Warrant, the Board recommended that the Lodge be reprimanded and fined €150. Confirmed.

REQUEST FOR DISPENSATION

Grand Lodge considered a late request, as provided for under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 22, for dispensation under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118 for a Brother of Lodge No. 441, to continue to serve for a third consecutive year as Wor. Master. Approved.

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANK

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

PRESENTATION TO PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF MEATH

R.W. Brother Dr. Trevor Winckworth, Past Provincial Grand Master of Meath was presented with a 50 Year Jewel by the Grand Master who thanked him for his many years of leadership in the Province.

GRAND MASTER'S PERSONAL REPORT

The Grand Master in his report referred to the favourable publicity being generated at last for the Order. He specifically mentioned his visit to Lisburn and Lodge Ireland 2000, receiving coverage in the Northern edition of the Star newspaper. He also referred to the Holocaust Memorial event in Dublin, at which he, representing Freemasonry was a guest of honour; and articles which appeared in the Dublin Guide free‑circulation paper and one about to, in the Irish Independent Weekly Magazine. He also mentioned a possible film project that the Order may participate in and he made a number of announcements concerning forthcoming events.

THANKS TO ORGANIZING BRETHREN

The Assistant Grand Master thanked the Provincial Grand Secretary of Meath, V.W. Brother Russell Waller and the many Brethren involved in helping with all the arrangements for the meeting and the foregoing luncheon at the Cabra Castle Hotel.

PRESENTATION TO GRAND MASTER

The Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Meath, currently Grand Lodge Standard Bearer, R.W. Brother Cecil Tilson, made a presentation of a locally crafted plant‑stand to the Grand Master, on behalf of the Brethren of the Province, which the Grand Master graciously accepted.

CHARITY COLLECTION

The Charity Collection amounted to €1,236.

Grand Lodge Closed..