Alain Juillet writes to the GL-AMF...and indirectly to those still in the GLNF
Translation
Paris, September 9th, 2012
Letter to all the Brethren
My very dear Brethren,
As we return from holidays, current events are still marked by the events which continue to weaken our former Obedience.
The Grande Loge de l’Alliance Maçonnique Française has never wanted to intervene in this struggle that is of no interest and has never replied to the variety of attacks to which it has been subjected, preferring to concentrate on the masonic labours of the Brethren in Lodge.
The court administrator has just announced the end of the last act but one of this pathetic melodrama with the designation by a Sovereign Grand Committee reduced in number, of a future Grand Master of the GLNF. He is well-known to the Brethren as is the team that surrounds him. They hope for a ratification at the end of the year by what remains of the Obedience.
After having tried to change the GLNF from within during more than two years, we decided with sadness to leave when it became obvious that the existing structures offered not the slightest possibility of achieving change.
Unfortunately what followed and its epilogue have proved us right.
The loss of international recognition and the choice of a Grand Master whose announced programme is not going to change what underlies the GLNF system forces each Brother to decide upon his masonic future with a clear and open conscience.
To what idea of Freemasonry do we wish to subscribe ?
Certain Brethren, having understood that their Obedience was about to lose recognition by the United Grand Lodge of England, hastily proposed palliative measures. Not taking into account the Berlin declaration of the 5 European Grand Lodges, they imagined districts linked to foreign Grand Lodges. They forgot, as the UGLE reminded them, that France is not an open territory. To be part of a foreign Grand Lodge, you must attend Lodge meetings in that country.
Others imagined the creation of local Grand Lodges, at the same time knowing they will be unable to reach the level of diversity and requirements expected by the Brethren, nor will they achieve recognition. Why lead the Brethren down dead-end paths ?
Forget these artificial structures and local power struggles. We must be realistic : with no recognized French Obedience at present, we will have to wait two or three years before the United Grand Lodge of England decides to grant its recognition to one or several Grand Lodges respecting the criteria of regularity and recognition.
Therefore, in close co-operation with the five European Grand Lodges, the Grande Loge de l’Alliance Maçonnique Française, is working towards this objective.
With rigour we reply to all requests concerning our statutes, our by-laws and our constitutions, adhering strictly to the rules of regularity. Already we enjoy close contacts with numerous Grand Lodges throughout the world who are preparing to recognize us and exchange guarantees of amity...as has done one Grand Lodge already. A recognition we will formally announce once we have received other recognitions that we are expecting to arrive very soon.
As you know, we practice six rites : York, Scottish Standard, Emulation, French, Rectified Scottish, and Ancient and Accepted Scottish.
The GL-AMF is developing fraternal relations with the Jurisdictions sharing the same values. So, it has signed an agreement with the Grand Chapter of the French rite and with the Supreme Council of the A&ASR, so that Brethren so desiring can continue to labour in the “higher degrees”. (Translator’s note : no formal agreements have been signed; the Grand Chapter of the French Rite and the Supreme Council of the A&ASR have made their own statements to the effect that for the moment they will accept Brethren from both the GL-AMF and the GLNF.)
Because of the Phaleg blockage, as of next month we will offer an alternative to those Brethren wishing to continue to progress calmly in an internationally recognized Grand Priory.
Finally, this month we will finalize the creation of Royal Arch chapters in the 22 regions of the GL-AMF.
As of now and without prejudicing the future, we will receive all Brethren from regular Grand Lodges who wish to visit our Lodges. We have extended this possibility to Brethren of the GLNF.
In fact, considering that in spite of the very likely loss of recognition on September 12, to those Brethren confronted with the choice of remaining or leaving our ex-Obedience, it was a good idea to offer the possibility to come and see how we labour, the calm we have found again, and our labour to the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe in strict respect of the principles governing international Freemasonry.
I invite them to choose freely where to go, to not let themselves be pressured in any way and to determine which masonic organization corresponds best to their expectations.
To you, my Brethren of the Alliance, I invite you to welcome with open arms those who truly seek spirituality based upon a masonic practice of fraternity, tolerance and humility… wearing their Master Mason’s apron, as is the rule within the GL-AMF.
On the other hand, it is just as important to block entry to those who betrayed their ideal with anti-masonic behaviour towards their Brethren or those who voluntarily confounded their personal or financial interests with those of their Obedience.
Your brotherly love and your vigilance are both necessary, so that the masonic values for which we struggled can progess and for which we are building together the Grande Loge de l’Alliance Maçonnique Française, with a view to a new regular Masonry in France.
My very dear Brethren, I offer you my most fraternal greetings.
W. Bro Alain Juillet
Grand Master