Freemasons forum to discuss forming Grand Lodge of Jamaica

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CLARKE... you have practising brethren who have the experience to manage a grand lodge

A long-running discussion on the possible formation of a Grand Lodge of Jamaica is being revived by Scottish Freemasons here who will examine the issue at a forum this week.

The 2024 staging of the Howard Constantine Ennis Masonic Forum is scheduled for September 11 at the Freemason’s Building, McGregor Square on Beechwood Avenue, St Andrew and is being organised by The Glenlyon Lodge.

Two of the lodge’s past masters, Warren McDonald and Neville Wallace, initiated the discussion which comes amid lively debate on Jamaica’s intention to sever ties with the British monarchy.

According to Scottish District Grand Chaplain Reverend Peter Clarke, who will be one of the main presenters at the forum, Freemasonry in Jamaica has matured enough for it to be able to establish its own grand lodge.

“Based on the changes in the Jamaican Constitution that are coming up, we might have a presidency. If there will be a republic then there is no more salutation to a King. The salutation would be to the president of Jamaica, so you may as well have it done. Jamaica has led in many things in the western world, certainly in sports, music, and politics. There is no reason why we cannot manage a grand lodge in Jamaica,” Clarke told the Jamaica Observer .

“We have a population of about three million people. You have practising brethren who have the experience to manage a grand lodge. There is no reason why they should not be able to function normally. We have to continue sending annual dues to the three grand lodges in England, Scotland, and Ireland to become part of the fraternity. If we had our grand lodge here, we would have all our local dues to maintain our grand lodge,” added Clarke, who has been a Freemason for 40 years.

His reference to the three grand lodges pertain to the three constitutions of Freemasonry practised in Jamaica — English, Scottish and Irish. While there is a Grand Lodge of England, a Grand Lodge of Scotland and a Grand Lodge of Ireland, Jamaica and other British Caribbean nations only have district lodges that are connected to one of the three main lodges.

“We have been a district for over 250 years and we have lodges like The Glenlyon, which is 175 years old, Seville is 150 years, and Lodge Caledonian is 150 years. What happens is that for years, central bodies have been outside of Jamaica, in Scotland, England and Ireland. We have matured, having such time under our belt and knowledge to be able to manage our own affairs. This is just logical,” Clarke argued.

To make his point that Freemasonry, unconnected to the three constitutions, would still be able to operate smoothly, Clarke pointed to the formation of a Grand Lodge in Quebec, Canada in 1869. That move, he said, saw the dues paid by Canadian Freemasons remaining in Canada as opposed to being sent to a grand lodge outside the country.

According to Clarke, if a Grand Lodge of Jamaica is formed, the teachings and principles of Freemasonry would not change.

“There will be no changes to the principles. What happened in the 1860s is that in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec they probably had the same complaints when they were forming it, like which constitution would provide the first grand master, what kind of ritual are we going to use and are we going to have to buy new regalia.

“What they did was, all the lodges of the English, Scottish and Irish constitutions came over as is. In fact, even the rituals were maintained. You would use your same ritual but now that you are part of a new grand lodge then you have a central body and a grand master that oversees everybody. You would get a chance to elect the grand master for everybody and more than likely it would be a rotation. It would be the best mason that is elected,” he said.

He pointed out that the same kind of discipline, respect, fortitude and even more fortitude than before would be required to maintain the principles and edicts of the one that is formed in Jamaica.

“What we need to do is, since so much water has passed under the bridge, is to have a cordial, timely, friendly parting with the common grand lodge. It is not going to be easy, but it would be nice that everybody join together in one fraternity,” he said.

“I suspect there will be resistance, but if we have learned our craft well and if we have observed the principles that have been taught by our beloved brethren in the grand lodges then we should be able now to be set apart under a new dispensation, observing most of the principles and teachings we learned from those three grand lodges, just like how Jamaica is going to have to learn to have our own republic,” Clarke said.

“If it happens, we are going to have to manage our affairs. There is no reason we should not at least try and do something. Eventually — socially and politically — this is going to be forced upon us. Majority of the people want a republic,” he said.

Lloyd Moore, a past district grand master of the Scottish constitution, who will be another panellist at the forum, told the Sunday Observer that forming a Grand Lodge of Jamaica will be an expression of independence.

“I think we are old enough to form a grand lodge. When I was district grand master we held two forums. One was held at Lodge Caledonia in Port Maria and the other was held at McGregor Square. Both were very successful. The problem was that we didn’t have the follow-ups and so the thing died. How can you express your independence if many years after independence you are still attached to these intuitions abroad?” Moore argued.

“It is a peculiarity with the Caribbean because the British Caribbean countries are the only countries in this region that do not have their own grand lodge. Cuba’s grand lodge is over 150 years old. In the case of America, the moment they became independent in 1776, within three to four years every state had its own grand lodge, and so it remains until this day. Is it that we haven’t learned how to rule ourselves? I think we have, and I think, therefore, it is time for us to make this great step.”

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