Cuban Freemasons Oust Grand Master in Called Session

Grand Lodge of Cuba in Havana

by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Lodge of Cuba is in what the English used to call a right old bloody mess. First, their former Grand Master, Mario Alberto Urquía Carreño, was arrested last September under accusations of fraud, in collaboration with the former Grand Treasurer, Airam Cervera Reigosa. After an extensive audit of the Grand Lodge finances, Carreño and Reigosa may have ultimately embezzled more than US$20,000 using forged documents, along with making off with another US$19,000 in cash from an office safe. The thefts were discovered in January 2024, he was soon expelled by the Supreme Council (the Scottish Rite) in Cuba, but he refused to step down from his Grand Master position amid shouts of "Traitor! Usurper! Out thief!" at the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in March 2024. After he finally left the meeting hall, he was unanimously replaced by Mayker Filema Duarte as the new Grand Master until proper elections could be held in March of this year. 

Former Grand Master Mario Alberto Urquía Carreño (Photo: Cubanet)

At that time, Carreño was seen by most Masons in Cuba as being a hand-picked puppet, illegally imposed on them by the state's security forces. Despite the charges of conspiracy and embezzlement against him last year, the Communist government's Ministry of Justice (MINJUS) ordered him reinstated and restored as Grand Master in June. But by August, the criminal charges against him could no longer be dodged, and he resigned as Grand Master, handing the purple apron over to Mayker Filema Duarte. 

Cuban Masons didn't like that choice, either, as Duarte was seen as a buddy of Carreño and just one more narc for the state security service. Duarte was supposed to hold general elections in March of this year, but postponed them until May 25th. That date came, but Duarte decided to cancel the elections altogether and remain in the Grand East until further notice. Making the situation even dicier, Duarte's actions were supported by the Communist Party of Cuba and the MINJUS, despite the fact that he was in violation of the Grand Lodge's internal rules. And that's when the rank and file Masons collectively yelled, "Hold my Cuba Libra," and the gathering turned into an ugly hockey game brawl.

Last Sunday it was reported that Grand Master Duarte has now been removed from his position after refusing to hold the grand lodge elections. Duarte was booted after 121 members of the Grand Lodge and 117 representatives of lodges around the country held a special called session in Havana. According to at least one source, Duarte had ordered the closure of all the Grand Lodge's facilities, prompting the Freemasons to gather outside the theater while government security officers observed and recorded their activities.

Cuban Masons held an impromptu called meeting outside of the
Grand Lodge after Grand Master Duarte closed the building down. Photo: Cubanet

The current Deputy Grand Master Juan Alberto Kessel Linares was named as the new sitting Grand Master by the assembled brethren until a called meeting for general elections can be held in September. 

Duarte and his grand officers did not attend the sidewalk session.

A Mason interviewed by Cubanet considered the event historic and said that they made the decision to oust Duarte after exhausting all legal avenues.

"We tried, through all legal means, even unconventional ones, to assert our will and respect our legislation, but Filema refused to do so. Their lack of respect became evident and, worse still, MINJUS, far from ensuring proper conduct, actually supported it and fostered an unnecessary confrontation. We, the Cuban Freemasons, are the rightful owners of this Institution and we must, above all else, adhere to our oaths and the current legislation. If the government wants to dominate us, we will not allow it,"

From the article on Cibercuba.com:

[Duarte] had suspended the session of the High Masonic Chamber (the legislative body of the institution) in which elections for the senior positions of the Lodge were to take place in previous weeks.

With that precedent, which, according to a report from Cubanet, extended its "dictatorship" and "the illegality within the Institution", the Freemasons decided to enforce justice.

A decree obtained by that media outlet revealed that Filema Duarte claimed that the "conditions to resume the suspended session on March 23 were not guaranteed."

In the text, he justified suspending the meeting to prevent alleged "scandals that transcend public life" and "further damage the already tarnished image of our Institution."

Previously, he warned about "personal threats" against him and announcements of "vandalistic behaviors with publicity from independent media." He believed that such acts were "inappropriate" for Freemasons and aimed to discredit the institution.

Filema Duarte was elected as Grand Master following the resignation of Mario Urquía Carreño, amid a corruption case involving the misappropriation of thousands of dollars and over 4 million pesos from the Lodge.

However, although the High Chamber established a six-month term for the position, until the holding of general elections, the Grand Master suspended the agreed-upon session.

Cubanet revealed that the Freemasons handed over documents and evidence to the Ministry of Justice to demonstrate the illegality committed by Filema Duarte in refusing to hold elections. However, Miriam García, director of Associations at MINJUS, did not address the complaint and supported the [actions of Duarte].

Making matters worse (if that's possible), while the large Grand Lodge headquarters building in Havana looks impressive, as though it's packed with Masonic occupants, it is, in reality, packed with government offices and officials who rent space in the building. Government officials frequently sit quite openly in Masonic meetings to observe their activities. It will be curious to see whether the Masons will prevail at electing and disciplining their own governing officers, or if the government forces them to knuckle under and keep Duarte on the throne of Solomon.

Freemasonry in Cuba has a peculiar relationship with their Communist Party that's quite unlike anywhere else in the Communist world. Most Communist regimes have banned Masonic organizations completely, dating back to the Russian Revolution in the early 20th century. But when Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro was fighting anti-Communist forces on the island in the 1950s, he was given aid and comfort by several groups of Masons there. Some have claimed that he was allowed to hide out in Masonic halls. 

After the Batista government was toppled and Castro came to power in 1959, Masonry was one of very few private organizations permitted to operate behind closed doors, and he never forgot the assistance they gave him during those early days. Which is partially why their Havana office tower got so many government tenants over the subsequent decades. But it also makes it quite easy for the government to keep a careful watch over their internal affairs.

According to fairly recent figures, there are currently 327 lodges in the country and a total of 48,000 members. Of these, only about 20,000 remain within the island, representing an exodus of more than 50% of registered Masons.

It should be said that, while the Grand Lodge of Cuba is perfectly legitimate in origin and satisfies most of the most common requirements of recognition with the regular Masonic world, it was kicked out of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America (COGMNA) in 1962 because it was openly being used as a tool of the Cuban government. 

More than 60 years later, it would appear that little has changed in that regard.

 

New York's "Welcome Brother" Package

by Christopher Hodapp

A new Entered Apprentice with the moniker Zealousideal-Hunt242 posted this photo on Reddit of a 'welcome box' of information and Masonic swag he recently received from the Grand Lodge of New York. Looks to be his dues card, a coffee cup, a set of stickers, a 'Welcome Brother" booklet of reference information, and a bottle of hand sanitizer (for cleanup after making those dodgy handshakes we're so famous for, dontcha know). 

Not a bad little welcome package from the grand lodge level, and a minimal expense to make a good impression on a new member. Nicely done. The box alone can be filled with anything: grand masters' pin, a tie, a special 'new Brother' name badge, a grand lodge monitor, a directory of lodges in the state with visitation protocols, a memory stick with loads of information... anything to cement the feeling that the fraternity has invested some effort and consideration in welcoming a new member. In other words, something more than just an invoice for the year's dues, an invitation to the appendant groups, and a plea to become an officer.

Brother General Lafayette Masonic Marker Dedication May 12th in Jeffersonville, Indiana

by Christopher Hodapp

Alice and I are in Jeffersonville, Indiana this weekend for the arrival Brother General Gilbert Lafayette. (See HERE for my original post in April.)

Major General Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de LaFayette, was invited as ‘the Nation’s Guest’ in 1824-25 to tour America as part of the Jubilee 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution. By that time, Lafayette was the last living member of General George Washington’s Revolutionary War-era generals and personal staff. His American tour took him to all 24 states in existence at that time, traveling 6,000 miles in 13 months. A hero of both the American and French Revolutions, the 67-year-old Lafayette was greeted by enthusiastic crowds everywhere he went, and Freemasons throughout the country invited him to attend lodges, dinners, cornerstone ceremonies and more.

The American Friends of Lafayette have been reenacting the general’s famous national tour for its 200th anniversary. Following the diary made of his trip, they are holding events at every major stop he made, on the same dates he originally made them, with a French actor from Historic Williamsburg playing the part of Lafayette. 

Louisville Procession
At 10:00AM, all participants will gather in Louisville’s Waterfront Park, at 1101 E. River Road to welcome Lafayette, escorted by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and accompanied by historic re-enactors of Kentucky’s then-Governor Disha, and Colonel Richard Anderson. Lafayette will speak and answer questions for local students. Then everyone will join a Parade of Flags and escort Lafayette across the Big Four walking bridge over the Ohio River to Jeffersonville (about a 40-minute walk).

All Masons are encouraged to dress in suit and tie and wear their aprons for this procession, and for the rest of the day’s festivities.

Masonic Marker Dedication
At approximately 1:15PM, General Lafayette will be officially welcomed to Indiana in Jeffersonville’s Big Four Station Park by a crowd that will include the Grand Lodge of Indiana, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, plus local dignitaries and descendants Zalmon Burritt, a Revolutionary War Soldier.

I checked out our new Masonic marker last night when we arrived. 

Veteran's Park is right behind our hotel.

Across the street in Veteran’s Park (formerly Colston Park), there will be a dedication by the Grand Master and Grand Lodge officers of a new Masonic historical marker, describing Lafayette’s Indiana visit and his long association with the Freemasons. There will also be a dedication of an Unknown Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial, and the planting of two Liberty Trees to mark the occasion.

The dedications will be followed by food, drink, toasts to George Washington, and more at Big Four Station Park.

Lafayette at Louisville’s Abraham Lodge
At 7:00PM on Monday evening, the Masons of Kentucky will hold their own event at the beautiful Louisville Scottish Rite, and the public is invited. They will present a special theatrical play – a reenactment of Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Louisville’s Abraham Lodge #8. The play will be followed by a reception featuring the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps.

Abraham #8 is important to Indiana Freemasonry. It was the lodge that authorized a dispensation to establish Vincennes Lodge, the first Masonic lodge chartered in the Indiana Territory, under the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in 1809. It would become Vincennes Lodge #1 of the new Grand Lodge of Indiana when it was officially established in 1818.

The Louisville Scottish Rite is located at 200 East Gray Street. No reservations are required, and the event is free of charge.

Dick Fletcher, Longtime Head of MSA, Passes

by Christopher Hodapp

Richard 'Dick' Fletcher, long-time Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association, has passed away.

The following message was sent out on Thursday by James Cole, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction:

It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Richard “Dick” Fletcher, beloved husband of Judy Fletcher and a cherished member of our House of the Temple family.

Dick’s contributions to the Scottish Rite were immeasurable. For many years, he served as a dedicated volunteer in both the Membership Services Department and the Library, lending his time, talents, and unwavering support to the work of the Scottish Rite. His kindness, quiet strength, and generous spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Beyond his volunteer work, Dick was the Past Grand Master of Masons in Vermont and served as the Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) from 1987 until his retirement in 2011, totaling about 24 years of dedicated leadership.

He was widely respected across the Masonic world for his efforts to promote Masonic education, disaster relief, and interjurisdictional cooperation. Whether welcoming House of the Temple visitors, assisting staff, or quietly ensuring the success of countless projects, he exemplified the best of our values through selfless service.

Condolences may be sent to Judy Fletcher at : --------------. I will keep you informed of arrangements.

Fraternally,
James D. Cole, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander
Supreme Council, 33° | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA

(Photo: From left: Judy Fletcher, Nicolas Cage, Darlene Alban, 

and Richard E. Fletcher, at the premier of 

National Treasure: Book of Secrets in New York City in December 2007)

Dick was an extremely kind and thoughtful Mason, and he was widely known all over the Masonic world. He was a tireless advocate for the fraternity and he will be sorely missed. 

Dick Fletcher was a Past Grand Master of Vermont and a 33° Scottish Rite Mason, and he came to the Masonic Service Association after a long career in banking. Under almost a quarter century of his leadership, the MSA established the Masonic Information Center, "Operation Phone Home" providing prepaid calling cards to overseas military personnel, and created the Twain Award, to reward excellence in Masonic awareness among individual lodges in North America. His travel schedule would have been daunting for men half his age, and he attended dozens of grand lodge sessions each year, often with his lovely wife Judy. Before his retirement in 2010, I seemed to see them everywhere I went. His departure truly marked the end of an era for MSA.

The MSA was created in 1919 to provide services to its member Grand Lodges that they would find difficult to provide for themselves. It remains the one organization that provides a national voice for mainstream Freemasonry in North America, and is a commission of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America.

This post will be updated as soon as I can find funeral details for him.

Requiescat in pace.

2025 Midwest Conference on Masonic Education Wrap Up

by Christopher Hodapp

The 75th Midwest Conference on Masonic Education in Indianapolis has wound down for 2025, and I'd like to express my deepest thanks to everyone who helped make it a great success. Not only to the other presenters, but to the attendees, as well. 

Speakers at the Conference included Steve Harrison, Heather Calloway, Daniel Gardener, Adam Kendall, Brent Morris and myself.

Among the close to 100 attendees were representatives from 17 different Masonic jurisdictions.

As president of the Conference this year, James Buckhorn did an outstanding job in arranging and organizing the programs, the venue, the meals, and so much more. 

The Grand Lodge of Nebraska will be next year's host.

Those Midnight Freemason guys show up everywhere.

Before the Conference, some of the 'Indiana Friends of Brent' were able to join up with the 
venerable Dr. Morris on Thursday, along with our mascot, Billy the Wonder Goat.