
| |

GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF IRELAND
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION
SATURDAY, 7th December, 2003
at
FREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLIN
Present:
M.W. Grand Master
|
Eric N. Waller, on the Throne
|
R.W. Deputy Grand Master
|
George Dunlop
|
R.W. Assistant Grand Master
|
William Mawhinney
|
R.W. Senior Grand Warden
|
R. Stanley Johnston
|
R.W. Junior Grand Warden
|
James Kirk
|
R.W. Grand Treasurer
|
Charles W. Olden
|
R.W. Grand Registrar
|
Arthur D.S. Moran
|
R.W. Grand Secretary
|
Michael W. Walker
|
R.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies
|
Cecil D. Burns
|
R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain
|
The Ven. E. Brian Snow
|
R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains
|
The Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles
The Rev. Canon George N. Little
|
V.W. Senior Grand Deacon
|
Allen G. Megarry
|
VW. Junior Grand Deacon
|
Norman Humes
|
V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works
|
David T. Young
|
V.W. Assistant Grand Treasurer
|
Cecil Taylor
|
V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary
|
D. Barry Lyons
|
VW. Assistant Grand Secretary
|
Michael R. McWilliam
|
VW. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
|
Marcus O. Steenson
|
V.W. Grand Steward
|
Richard H. Gray
|
V.W. Grand Sword Bearer
|
William G. Manning
|
VW. Grand Stewards of Charities
|
Charles A. McCullough
|
|
Samuel J. Patience
|
|
Dennis R. Millen
|
V.W. Grand Almoners
|
Alan R.G.R. Patterson
|
|
William M. Lee
|
V.W. Grand Organist
|
John N. Rowden
|
V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
|
Winston Patterson
|
V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer
|
William J. Dixon
|
V.W. Grand Inner Guard
|
Alan R. Crowe
|
VW. Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction
|
Robert J. Armstrong
|
There were also present:‑ R.W. Brother R.
Eric Fenelon, Past Deputy Grand Master; R.W. Brothers Daniel B. Fincher, Nana
Dr. Fredua Mensah and Kenneth G. Brislane, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W.
Brothers the Rev. Canon Richard H. Bertram and the Rev. Walter Herron, Past
Junior Grand Chaplains; the Provincial Grand Masters of Armagh, North
Connaught, Londonderry & Donegal, Meath, the Midland
Counties, Munster, North Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh, Wicklow & Wexford, Ireland
in India and the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board; the Provincial Deputy Grand
Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Down, Londonderry &
Donegal, Meath, the Midland Counties, Munster and North Munster; R.W. Brother
John Greer, Past Provincial Grand Master; R.W. Brother Charles Hatch, Past
Provincial Deputy Grand Master; R.W. Brother Michael R. Bicknell, Past Grand
Director of Ceremonies; V.W. Brothers Albert Topping, John N. Millar, John R.
Hadden and John S. Dunlop, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Ralph B. McGuckin,
Past Grand Superintendent of Works; V.W. Brothers James I.A. Davison, Trevor
Monteith, Samuel H. Boyle and William J. Johnston, Past Grand Stewards of
Charities;
V.W. Brother David A.R. Lovesy, Past
Grand Almoner; V.W. Brothers Dr. Norman Jackson, Samuel A. Mackenzie and Donald
H. Finlay, 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; V.W. Brother John Torley, Honorary Past Grand Sword Bearer and R.W.
Brothers Henry M. Robinson, J.F. McDermott and J.H.L. Stuart, Past Grand
Representatives.
SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
The following Grand Lodges were
represented:‑ Scotland, Canada in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland &
Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New South
Wales, Western Australia, New Zealand, Belgium (Regular), Croatia, Denmark,
Finland, France (National), Germany, Greece (National), Iceland, the
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Arkansas, Colorado,
Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah,
Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Cuscatlan of El Salvador,
Argentina, Chile, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Madagascar, South Africa, China, The
Philippines, Cuba and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Connecticut, Massachusetts
and Ohio.
APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE
Apologies for non‑attendance were
received from:‑ M.W. Brother Lord Donegall, Past Grand Master; the Provincial
Grand Masters of Antrim and South Eastern; the Provincial Deputy Grand Master of
Wicklow & Wexford; R.W. Brothers William W. Hughes, Robert Campbell and Alan S.
Watt, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Brother the Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz,
Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers Dr. Trevor Winckworth, W.J.E. Dukelow
and C.E. Fleury, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Brother Michael J. Ward,
Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; R.W. Brothers the Ven. R. Clayton Stevenson,
the Rev. Charles McCurdy and the Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand
Chaplains; R.W. Brother J.D.F. McKee, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; V.W.
Brothers George B. Crooks and W.G. McElwaine, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brothers
L.J.T. West, Charles R. Knipe, Gordon V. Bradshaw and Mervyn W. Morrison,
Honorary Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brothers Arthur W. White, Andrew McFetridge
and Herbert A. Walsh, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brothers Cecil G.
Oakes and Bernard V.A. Woods, Past Grand Almoners; V.W. Brothers Robert Jones
and David M. Wright, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives
of the Grand Lodges of Alberta, Manitoba, Tasmania, Austria, Estonia, Hungary,
Italy (Regular), Poland, Portugal, New Hampshire, New York, Illinois, Kansas,
Ohio, South Dakota, Rhode Island, the Grand Orient of Brazil, Sao Paulo,
Ecuador, Venezuela, Benin, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Japan, the State of
Israel and R.W. Brothers R.A. Best, T.A.D. Martin, H. Ross and D. Wakefield,
Past Grand Representatives.
OBITUARY
Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand
Master referred to the recent deaths of R.W. Bro. John F. Kerr, Provincial Grand
Master of Down; V.W. Brother Douglas A. Rebbeck, Honorary Past Grand Deacon,
Adelaide, South Australia; and R.W. Brother the Rev. John A. Fulton,
Representative of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. The memory of our departed
distinguished Brethren was saluted.
WELCOME BY THE GRAND MASTER
The Grand Master then welcomed all
Brethren attending Grand Lodge on this the first occasion when the Grand
Officers for the ensuing year were not installed on St. John's Day, December
27''. In particular, the Grand Master welcomed R.W. Brother L.C. Chogle,
Provincial Grand Master of Ireland in India, accompanied by W. Brother A.K.
Chakravarti and R.W. Brother Nana Dr. Fredua Mensah, Past Provincial Grand
Master of Ghana.
MINUTES
On the proposal of the Senior Grand
Warden, seconded by the Junior Grand Warden, the Minutes of the October 50'
Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge which had been circulated, were taken as
read, approved and signed.
INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS FOR
2003
The Grand Master, M.W. Brother Eric N.
Waller, was proclaimed and saluted.
The Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Brother George Dunlop, was proclaimed and saluted.
The Assistant Grand Master, R.W. Brother William Mawhinney, was proclaimed and
saluted.
APPOINTMENT OF PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS
AND GRAND INSPECTORS
The Grand Master then asked the Deputy
Grand Master to announce the appointment of Provincial Grand Masters and Grand
Inspectors overseas, as follows:
Munster
|
Alan J. Campbell
|
Antrim
|
Adam J. McKinley
|
North Munster
|
Geoffrey G. Ashton
|
Londonderry & Donegal
|
Robert G. Quigley
|
Armagh
|
George Miskimmins
|
North Connaught
|
George F. Ginnelly
|
South Connaught
|
William W.T. Shortland
|
Meath
|
John F. Wood
|
Midland Counties
|
J. Kenneth Dunne
|
South Eastern
|
R. Arthur Keppel
|
Tyrone & Fermanagh
|
David H. Weir
|
Wicklow & Wexford
|
Harvey F.J. Heavener
|
New Zealand
|
Roland J. Whyte
|
South Africa, Northern
|
George W.G. Moir
|
Southern Cape
|
Wyndham G. Morgans
|
Zimbabwe
|
Peter A. Birkett
|
Natal
|
Petrus J. Marx
|
Ireland in India
|
Lahu C. Chogle
|
Nigeria
|
Alabo T.O. Graham‑Douglas
|
Ghana
|
Nana Herman A. Mould
|
Zambia
|
Hiralal J. Bodalia
|
Bermuda
|
Ralph D. Seligman
|
The Far East
|
Chamson Chau
|
Jamaica
|
Derrick V. McCoy
|
Chairman of the Metropolitan Board
|
Selwyn S. Davies
|
Grand Inspectors
|
|
South East Asia
|
Koh Thian Swee
|
Sri Lanka
|
Isaac N.S. Samson
|
Malta
|
Joseph Cordina
|
Sierra Leone
|
Kenneth A.B. Fergusson
|
Gibraltar
|
Joseph Chiara
|
The Grand
Master announced that he would install R.W. Brother William W.T. Shortland as
Provincial Grand Master of South Connaught at the March Communication of Grand
Lodge to be held in Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.
INSTALLATION OF THE SENIOR GRAND
WARDEN
The Grand
Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented R .W. Brother James
Kirk to the Grand Master for investiture as Senior Grand Warden. R.W. Brother
Kirk was conducted to his seat and was saluted.
INSTALLATION OF THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN
In like manner the Grand Master invested
and installed R.W. Brother Robert J. Thomson, Past Provincial Grand Master of
Antrim, as Junior Grand Warden. R.W. Brother Thomson was conducted to his seat
and was saluted.
INVESTITURE OF THE GRAND OFFICERS
The following Brethren were then invested
or proclaimed, and saluted, as the Grand Officers for 2003:
R.W. Grand Treasurer
|
Charles W. Olden
|
R.W. Grand Registrar
|
Arthur D.S. Moran
|
R.W. Grand Secretary
|
Michael W. Walker
|
R.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies
|
Cecil D. Burns
|
R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain
|
The Ven. E. Brian Snow
|
R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains
|
The Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles
|
|
The Rev. Canon George N. Little
|
V.W. Senior Grand Deacon
|
Richard H. Gray
|
V.W. Junior Grand Deacon
|
William G. Manning
|
V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works
|
David T. Young
|
V.W. Assistant Grand Secretaries
|
D. Barry Lyons
|
|
Michael R McWilliam
|
V. W. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
|
Marcus O. Steenson
|
V.W. Grand Steward
|
Winston C. Patterson
|
V.W. Grand Sword Bearer
|
Alan R Crowe
|
V.W. Grand Stewards of
Charities
|
Charles A. McCullough
|
|
Samuel J. Patience
|
|
Dennis R. Millen
|
V. W. Grand Almoners
|
Alan G.R. Patterson
|
|
William M. Lee
|
V.W. Grand Organist
|
John N. Rowden
|
V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
|
Cecil P. Tilson
|
V. W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer
|
Peter D.G. Read
|
V.W. Grand Inner Guard
|
Gordon Morrison
|
INVESTITURE OF FOREIGN GRAND
REPRESENTATIVE
R.W. Brother Alan Rankin, 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 Finland and formal
presentation of his Patent of Appointment. R.W. Brother Rankin was conducted to
his seat and was saluted along with the Representatives of all Foreign Grand
Lodges with which the Grand Lodge of Ireland is in amity.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF PAST GRAND
RANK
The following Brethren were then presented to the Grand
Master to be presented with their Certificates of Past Grand Rank:
R. W. Brother R. Stanley Johnston
‑ Past Senior Grand Warden
V.W. Brother Alan G. Megarry ‑ Past
Senior Grand Deacon
V. W. Brother Norman Humes ‑ Past Junior
Grand Deacon
V.W. Brother William J. Dixon ‑ Past
Grand Master's Standard Bearer.
MOTION
The Grand Treasurer, R.W. Brother Charles
W. Olden, proposed a Motion, seconded by the R.W. Deputy Grand Master, that
Grand Lodge make a donation of €2500
to the Masonic Benevolent Institutions. The Motion was passed unanimously.
ANNUAL RETURNS OF OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE
LODGES
The Grand Secretary submitted the Returns
of Officers of subordinate Lodges and the names of Representatives on the Grand
Lodge and Metropolitan Boards of General Purposes, for approval, confirming that
only three Annual Returns were outstanding and that the remainder had been
checked and found to be correct. Grand Lodge approved the returns and empowered
the Grand Secretary to issue Leave to Instal to the outstanding three Lodges
provided the Annual Returns were submitted, found to be correct, and that all
dues and fees had been paid by the end of December.
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. 766, The Mount, to
return the Warrant on amalgamation with Lodge No. 416; and also the return of
the Warrants of Lodges Nos. 64, 312 and 372.
A vacancy having occurred in the
Representation of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado and its Jurisdiction,
the Board recommended that the name of V.W. Brother Noel Simpson, a Past
Provincial Grand Warden of Londonderry & Donegal, be sent forward to the Prince
Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado for consideration as a suitable Brother to act as
their Grand Representative here. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of the
Czech Republic submitting the name of R.W. Brother Jacques Huyghebaert as a
suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand
Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of
Finland submitting the name of R.W. Brother Risto Rydman, 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
Kentucky submitting the name of R.W. Brother Darrell Vires as a suitable Brother
to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Japan
submitting the name of R. W. Brother Fredric R. Collins as a suitable Brother to
act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Prince Hall Grand
Lodge of Colorado submitting the name of M.W. Brother William K. Wooden, Past
Grand Master, as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there.
Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a request coming
forward from the State Grand Lodge of Mato Grosso, Brazil, that recognition be
granted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland. The Grand Secretary confirmed that the
State Grand Lodge of Mato Grosso had a Concordat with the Grand Orient of Brazil
with regard to mutual recognition and also that there appeared to be no problem
with the regularity of the State Grand Lodge of Mato Grosso. On receiving these
explanations and assurances, the Board recommended that recognition be granted
to the State Grand Lodge of Mato Grosso. Confirmed.
The Board considered requests for the
granting of dispensation under the terms and Provisions of Grand Lodge Law No.
118, as follows:
1. Lodge No. 450, Portglenone and Lodge No. 925,
Mauritius.
2. Lodge No. 325, Gibraltar and Lodge No. 915, Gibraltar.
3. Lodge No. 2, Dublin and Lodge No. 171, Dublin.
4. Lodge No. 810, The Mount and Internet Lodge Ireland 2000.
5. Lodge No. 24, Lurgan and Lodge No. 979, Portadown.
6. Lodge No. 805, Kitwe, Zambia.
7. Lodge No. 84, Bandon and Lodge No. 555, Cork.
8. Lodge No. 215, Newbridge and Lodge No. 311, Templemore.
9. Lodge No. 336, Banbridge and Lodge No. 503, Ballyward.
Having heard the circumstances in each
case and being assured that Provincial approval had been obtained where
appropriate, the Board recommended approval in every case.
Confirmed.
FUND‑RAISING FOR MASONIC HAVENS LIMITED
The Board considered a request from the
Directors of Masonic Havens Limited for permission to institute a fund‑raising
campaign throughout the Constitution to meet the financial shortfall in the
provision of sheltered housing accommodation in association with St. Joseph's
Nursing Home, Virginia, Co. Cavan. The Board recommended, subject to scrutiny by
the Finance Committee, which later met Directors of Masonic Havens Limited, that
Grand Lodge approve the request and that Masonic Havens Limited be permitted to
fundraise for this project. Confirmed.
NOTICE OF MOTIONS TO AMEND GRAND LODGE
LAWS
The Grand Secretary, on behalf of the
Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes, handed in Notice of Motions as follows:
1. To amend Grand Lodge Law No. 54 to
reduce the number of Representatives on the Grand Lodge Board of General
Purposes.
2. To amend Rules Nos. 1 & 20 of the
Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Instruction.
THE GRAND MASTER'S ANNUAL REPORT
The Grand Master then presented his
Annual Report on the progress of Irish Freemasonry during 2002 and his plans for
the coming year. The Grand Master's Address will be printed in full in the
Annual Report of Grand Lodge for the year 2002; and a copy is attached to these
Minutes.
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANKS
The Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge,
conferred the following Honorary Ranks:
Past Grand Superintendent of Works
V.W. Bro. George Dalli ‑ on promotion from Past Grand
Steward.
Past Grand Steward
V.W. Bro. John M. Osborne ‑
Past Provincial Grand Warden, South Africa Northern.
V. W. Bro. John A.G. Dick -
Past Master of Lodge No. 344, Krugersdorp, South
Africa Northern.
V.W. Bro. Andre F.F.G. de Roubaix ‑ Past Provincial Grand
Warden, South Africa Northern.
V.W. Bro. Robert J.I. Stewart ‑ Past Provincial Grand
Chaplain, South Africa Northern.
R.W. Brother Samuel H. Boyle, being in
attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented
him to the Grand Master for presentation with his Certificate of Rank as an
Honorary Past Grand Deacon. R.W. Brother Boyle was conducted to his seat and was
saluted.
MASONIC CHARITIES LIAISON BOARD
The Grand Master announced that since its
work was now completed, he was hereby and henceforth disbanding the Masonic
Charities Liaison Board. He took the opportunity of thanking R.W. Brother Samuel
H. Boyle, Chairman, and all those who participated in the work of the Masonic
Charities Liaison Board on the successful completion of the task it had been
asked to perform.
The Grand Master added that he was now
asking KW. Brother Boyle to continue his efforts in the field of Masonic Charity
by acting as Liaison Officer between the Masonic Charities and Grand Lodge to
receive and consider all proposals and generally to act with full powers in this
field of Masonic endeavour.
CHARITY COLLECTION
The Grand Master announced that he wished
to donate the Charity Collection this year to an outside Charity as was the
practice formerly when the Installation of Grand Officers was held on St. John's
Day, December 27`b. The Grand Master indicated that this year the Charity
Collection would be donated to Oxfam to combat famine and disease in Africa.
The Charity Collection amounted to
€1,250.
GRAND LODGE CLOSED
Grand Lodge closed, following which some
110 Brethren lunched in Freemasons' Hall, where the Deputy Grand Master proposed
a toast to the health of the Grand Master.

|