GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF IRELAND

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION

SATURDAY, 7th December, 2003

at

FREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLIN

Present:

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:

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:

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.

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Copyright - Grand Lodge of Ireland 2002