Candidates for initiation into a Lodge without a permanent residence or regular employment in the locality must provide written reasons for their application and explain why they are not seeking admission to a Lodge closer to their residence or workplace. Upon receiving a proposal for initiation, the Lodge must inquire about the candidate’s suitability from the Masonic Authority overseeing the candidate’s locality. The candidate cannot be proposed in open Lodge until a response is received. Additionally, if a candidate lacks a permanent residence or employment in a jurisdiction where a Lodge meets, the matter is referred to the Grand Secretary for further inquiries regarding suitability. The candidate must not be proposed in open Lodge until the Grand Secretary confirms no objections. These rules apply to various areas, including Bedfordshire, Essex, and Hong Kong, among others, until further direction is provided by the Board of General Purposes.
December 4th, 2025
February 10th, 2026
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If a candidate for initiation seeks admission to a Lodge in a locality in which he has neither a permanent residence nor a regular place of business or employment, he shall state in writing his reasons for so doing, and his reason for not seeking admission to a Lodge in the locality of his residence or principal place of business. In such a case the Lodge to which he seeks admission, upon the receipt of a proposal form for initiation, shall forthwith make enquiries as to the candidate’s suitability from the Masonic Authority having jurisdiction over the locality of his residence or principal place of business. A candidate coming within the provisions of this Rule shall not be proposed in open Lodge until the Masonic Authority has replied to the enquiries. *Until the Board of General Purposes has given a direction in relation to any particular area, the current Rule (above) will continue to apply. Rule 158 (Amended): Except in a case to which Rule 161 applies if a candidate for initiation has neither a permanent residence nor a regular place of business or employment in a state or country where a Lodge under the Grand Lodge meets, the matter shall be referred to the Grand Secretary in order that he may make such enquiries as he deems appropriate as to the candidate’s suitability. A candidate coming within the provisions of this Rule shall not be proposed in open Lodge until the Grand Secretary shall have confirmed that there is no objection to the candidate. *The above and amended Rule has been applied to the following area(s): Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cumberland and Westmorland, Cyprus, Derbyshire, Dorset, Eastern Archipelago, Essex, Gloucestershire, Guernsey and Alderney, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Hong Kong and the Far East, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leicestershire and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Suffolk, Warwickshire, West Wales and Wiltshire.