El Confidencial
A Spanish article appearing on El Confidencial on January 28th
Resumed and Translated by Arturusrex
Some 10 000 French Freemasons seek membership of the Spanish Grand Lodge (GLE)
French masonry is going through bad times. As many as 10 000 masons of France have applied to quit the GLNF and join the GLE (Gran Logia de España), an unprecedented exodus for this organization. The greatest crisis in their history is provoked by the political escapades of its Grand Master, François Stifani,
Why? Masons have two taboos: religion and politics. All members can be involved in all these activities but must keep them separate and avoid proselytism.
Stifani broke the rules on January 19th 2009 by writing to President Sarkozy a letter expressing his support to him and to several members of his cabinet and intimate collaborators, such as Christian Blanc (who was forced to resign last year for corruption), Brice Hortefeux (present Minister of the Interior), Roger Karoutchi, Hubert Falco and Christine Boutin……
…. On February 5th, Sarkozy replied (officially), saying that his (Stifani’s) message had greatly touched him. ……..
(Translator’s note: there follows a recap of the events we know, leading to the present day situation)
Before their next General Assembly, a group of French masons of the GLNF has been in contact with their Spanish counterparts in the border regions of Catalunya, Aragon, Navarra and the Basque Country to examine the possibility of escaping from the ranks of the GLNF in France to join Spanish lodges.
Strong links exist between the French and the Spanish organizations, both being known as “regular” and recognized by the UGLE…..
Sources consulted by El Confidencial within the Spanish Grand Lodge indicate that “there have been approaches from French brethren to know if the Spanish Grand Lodge would open its doors to them as their own organisation has suffered severely from the present Grand Master’s doings”.
The same sources emphasize that the GLNF crisis is a major one causing many of its members to resign in disgust at the way it has been manipulated politically. ;….”