India Hosts World Conference of Grand Lodges

The sixth World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges was held in Delhi on 7-8 November. Thirty-two Grand Lodges were represented by sixty-two official delegates. At the time of the conference the Grand Lodge of India was not recognised by The United Grand Lodge of England, John Hamill, Director of Communications, attended the Conference as an observer.
    During the formal sessions, presided over by the Grand Master of India, Dilip Udeshi, OSM, sixteen papers on masonic topics were read: Thomas Jackson, the Secretary General of the World Conference, spoke on "Regularity and Fraternal Relations". Jorge Carvajal, representing the Grand Lodge of Chile, spoke on a particularly apposite topic: he discussed the validity and superior ethical value of Freemasonry in the 21st Century. Certainly, Freemasonry leads the world with regard to its ethical and spiritual fraternal organisation transcending religion and politics. D. D. Udeshi of the Grand Lodge of India delivered a talk which struck a common chord: "In the fast changing society, can Freemasonry survive?"
    Speakers also chose more reflective and mystical themes. Gustavo Raffi from Italy gave, "Some reflections about the Great Architect of the Universe" while Venezuela's Victor Higuera Castellanos explored a perennial subject with his "Alchemy and Freemasonry".
    Further papers were delivered by speakers from France, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Guatemala. One thing was clear: no Grand Lodge is alone in facing its challenges.
    The World Conferences are held every eighteen months. The next will be in Chile, in May 2004.
    Happily, on 11 December 2002, the United Grand Lodge of England restored recognition to the Grand Lodge of India.

New York Governor Now a Mason

The Governor of New York State, George E. Pataki, has accepted the offer of Grand Master, Carl J. Fitje, to become a Master Mason. The Grand Master said that Governor Pataki had "displayed the kind of leadership and quality in a man that our organisation looks for."
    He added that this leadership was most evident on September 11th, 2001, when Governor Pataki was instrumental in helping to restore calm and in committing the total resources of New York State to New York City. He activated the New York National Guard to provide security for the airports, bridges, tunnels and waterways. The Grand Master exercised his prerogative and made him a "Mason at Sight".
    In another development in New York, and following on from similar initiatives in other States, notably Ohio, Grand Master Fitje, in line with what he terms his "aggressive membership drive", has approved and authorised the conferral of all three Degrees of Craft Freemasonry in one day.
    The Grand Master said that the procedure will be conducted on 29th March, 2003, in nine locations throughout New York State. His goal for what he termed the “one-day Grand Master's Class” is 5,000 new members.
    The Grand Master said Freemasonry in New York State needed a “shot in the arm” or a “jump start” to revitalize the Craft and make it grow. He believed this Grand Master’s Class would provide that assistance.
    Some 61 per cent of United States Grand Lodges are now undertaking these one-day classes.
    Indiana raised 1,400 in five locations. Most recently Ohio raised 7,700 new member in 10 locations.

Monitor for New Zealand Rescue Helicopter

The Auckland (New Zealand) Rescue Helicopter Trust has formed a new relationship with Freemasons thanks to a generous donation of $11,100 from the North Island English Masonic District Charitable Trust - under the English Constitution of the North Island. The Rescue Trust was able to complete the funding for a much needed backup Propaq Monitor, portable monitor enabling paramedics to test ECGs and blood away from hospital.
    This follows an earlier grant of $35,000 from the Potter Trust last year which funded a dedicated children's Propaq Monitor. The Potter Trust is administered by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. In recognition of the Freemason's gift - and equally each Constitution within the organisation - the Rescue Trust has included the logo of Freemasonry on the helicopter.

Spanish Retirement Was Just the Beginning

When the former Master of two Surrey Lodges, Ian Hutchinson, retired to Spain in 1988 Freemasonry was high on his agenda and, with the Grand Lodge of Spain recognised by The United Grand Lodge of England since 1987, it was not long before Ian brought together thirty English Brethren to start the first of many English-speaking Lodges working under the Grand Lodge of Spain, Javea Lodge, No. 40.
    Ian had plans to create more Lodges and to bring other masonic degrees into Spain and, after discussions with the Grand Master of Spain, he was given the authority to assist foreign Brethren to start Lodges. Eighteen Craft Lodges and five Royal Arch Chapters were consecrated in the Province of Valencia. There then followed the Grand Priory of Spain, the Mark Degree and then the purchase of the first Masonic Hall in Javea. The Province of Valencia can now boast three Masonic Temples: in Javea, Alicante and Torrevieja.
    Following the death of the Grand Master, Tomas Sarobe was elected Spain's Grand Master. He had been initiated in Hampshire, in Barton Court Lodge, No. 5468, in 1969. He promoted Ian to Provincial Grand Master of Valencia and in 2000, Assistant Grand Master of Spain. He is also District Grand Master of Spain for the Mark Degree and District Grand Master of the Order of the Secret Monitor.
    Ian was focussed upon charity and his first project was to start the 2005 Festival to promote a home for elderly Freemasons and their families. Fund-raising is progressing well. Aware that many Freemasons in Spain have retired on pensions, and that more money for charitable relief is always needed, it was decided to open what is believed to be the first Masonic Charity Shop in Europe. Two more are planned.