Regulation 54 addresses the procedures for electing a new Principal in a Royal Arch Chapter following the death, removal, or permanent incapacity of an elected Principal. At the next regular convocation, the Chapter must elect a replacement from qualified Companions not currently serving in or elected to a regular office. If no eligible Companion is available, a dispensation may be granted by the First Grand Principal or relevant Grand Superintendent to allow a Companion already in office to be considered. Notice of the election must be included in the summons, and the newly elected Principal can be installed immediately. Additionally, any Second or Third Principal elected under this regulation is deemed qualified for future elections, even if less than a year has passed since their election. If an installed Principal becomes unable to serve, their position is filled according to Regulation 55 until a successor is elected and installed. Regulation 5 applies to newly elected First Principals, adjusting the one-year requirement accordingly.
December 8th, 2025
February 10th, 2026
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Regulation 54: Death of Principals and other contingencies. If any Principal elect shall die, be removed or become permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the office, the Chapter shall at the next regular convocation elect by ballot a Principal to take his place from among the qualified Companions, if any, not already serving in or elected to a regular office which expression shall include that of Principal. If there is no such Companion a dispensation may be granted by the First Grand Principal, Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent to render eligible a Companion already holding or elected to a regular office. Due notice of such intended election shall appear on the summons and the Principal so elected may be installed forthwith and any Second or Third Principal so elected and installed, shall, provided he serves the office until the next regular period of election, be deemed duly qualified for election as First or Second Principal as the case may be, notwithstanding less than one year may have elapsed since his election under this Regulation.
Regulation 5 shall apply to every First Principal elected under this Regulation as if the period of one year therein mentioned were the period from the date of his being so elected to the date of the next regular period of installation in the Chapter.
If any Principal shall after installation die, be removed or become permanently incapable of discharging the duties of his office then at each convocation until the next regular period of election and until a successor shall have been duly elected and installed his place shall be filled pursuant to Regulation 55 as if he were still alive and in office but absent.