Regularity And Recognition

Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author Paper 14/2009 Title Regularity and Recognition Author Bro Alessandro Ruzzi – Italy Regularity and recognition are topics long discussed in Freemasonry and in my opinion it is not possible to address them separately without considering the so-called jurisdiction.
In 1929 UGLE stated the requirements for the recognition of foreign Grand Lodges:

1. "Regular" origin
2. Belief in G.A.O.T.U.
3. Commitments on VSL
4. Being men
5. Exclusive jurisdiction
6. Presence of the Three Great Lights of Freemasonry
7. Prohibition on religion and politics
8. Respect of Antient Landmarks The sole use of the 3 degrees system has to be observed. In the not ambiguous respect of these points it is a ssessed the possibility of recognition (or amity) of foreign GL as stated in 1938 declaration by three major GL (UGLE,GL Scotland and GL Ireland) and however limited to one for territory as repeated during a 2008 international conference by UGLE Pro Grand Master. Of course, the lack of recognition by the three historic al GL does not deprive a GL of its jurisdiction on its lodges, nor of its regularity at broad or narrow: in the broad sense, meani ng that it is fully complying the above criteria while sharing a territory, in narrow sense if the self-chosen criteria differ from the above list. Some GL refer to the criteria expressed in the "Antient Charges" (being a man, born free and not illegitimate, free of physical defects).
   Others use Reneè Guénon’ writings to show the regularity is an "abstract", recognizing only orthodoxy in rituals.
   Because each GL states its regul arity, cowans, who come close to the Masonry but ignore these technicalities, are exposed to different and opposing truth.
   More complicated if the criteria ar e taken from words such as Albert Mackey’s, who does not discriminate masons on the basis of sex. Contradictions involve the system of degrees too: in 1813 at the "Antients” and “Moderns" union, an adjustment was needed to resolve the status of Companion of the Royal Arch, presenting it as completion of the three grades; the figure of the Installed Master in some ri tuals lends itself to misleading interpretations and sometimes requires clarifications; the “high degrees” system was resolved with a Rite, aside from the "Craft", where per meability between Craft and Rite is sometimes obvious and creates uncertainty when the expected improvement thru "high degrees" becomes the core of a Masonic path. Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author There are so many points where concepts and criteria of regularity and recognition come into friction, amplified by the application of territorial exclusivity: two individuals bel onging to GL not in amity may both be regular masons, unable to visit each other lodge, still able to behave on the same shared principles. Obviously the path of improvement a nd refinement of FM attains regulatory issues as well and therefore we should not think constitutions and regulations as perfect: just as no mas on can define himself “good mason” without sin of presumption, these few words are simply to reme mber that in some parts of the world these issues create bad relations. UGLE; Book of constitutions Johnston, E. R.; Masonry Defined Compiled from the Writings of Albert Mackey and others; edited by;1925