Grand Lodge of Ireland Mortified Over Use of Dublin's Freemason Hall

by Christopher Hodapp

WARNING: This is NOT a family-friendly story, I'm afraid. Nor is it pleasant to even describe. But it's been in the internet headlines all week, so I need to.

A tempest has been brewing in the international press this week over a story involving the historic Dublin Freemason Hall of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. The initial reports were that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson had interviewed one-time Irish UFC Mixed Martial Arts fighter Conor McGregor for his online streaming program and that the Grand Lodge was furious over their lodge room being used as a backdrop for the political-themed interview. The Grand Lodge's reaction seemed oddly hyperbolic in these early reports, and now I know why. The real reason is NOT being widely reported.

I am NOT going to venture into Irish politics here, for therein lies the path to madness. But to explain this story takes some background, I'm afraid. And the Carlson interview doesn't really have anything to do with it. 

Conor McGregor is a highly tendentious figure in Ireland (recently convicted in a high-profile rape case, and currently hoping to run for their president on what is characterized as a far-right anti-immigrant platform). After the interview aired, there was great huffing and puffing out of the Grand Lodge about how "controversial" McGregor is (he is, without doubt) and how equally "controversial" Carlson is. Like so many large Masonic buildings around the world, the Grand Lodge of Ireland makes their building available for rentals to the general public, and this event was booked by an outside organization. Early statements out of the Grand Lodge claimed ignorance and denounced the entire episode as a horrible mistake on their part, saying they would have denied the use of their building had they known McGregor and Carlson were involved. They immediately offered to donate the €2500 booking fee to charity.

Here's an excerpt from the BBC:

The Freemasons' grand master elect told members in an email that the interview had caused "incalculable" damage and that the venue had been used for "grossly inappropriate purposes".

"The Grand Lodge of Ireland does not comment on any political matter and so regrets letting our premises facilitate any political discussion," Richard S G Ensor wrote.

"I look for your support to get us over this unpleasant time and steer us back on the right path.

"I am personally abhorred at what has taken place and extend my personal apology to our members, family and friends."

Earlier this week, the grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland, Philip Daley, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that they regularly take bookings from media organisations but "insist" on knowing the interviewer, guests and topics of discussion to ensure this aligns with the organisation's "morals and principles".

However, he said in the case of McGregor and Carlson, the information was only received an hour before the interview.

But something seemed strange about their reaction to a simple two-shot of two men talking to each other for 55 minutes. That's NOT what the Grand Lodge is "abhorred" about.

I am no one's apologist for this story, but Tucker Carlson airs interviews with all kinds of people on all sides of the political and cultural spectrum, and they are often personalities that few members of the public know anything about apart from headlines. I don't care what anyone may think about him, pro or con, but Carlson wants to know why someone stirs controversy and lets his subjects praise or damn themselves out of their own mouths. While McGregor is doubtless one of the very last guys you'd want associated with the fraternity, nothing in the interview itself even remotely implied any connection to the Freemasons, unless you instantly recognized the large organ that dominates the back of the room they were in. McGregor's opinions may or may not be offensive to a majority of Irish people, but that's a whole different discussion to be had over the precarious position free speech rights currently hold in the Western world. But as it turns out, the Tucker Carlson angle has been played up in the media when the real problem has nothing to do with him. (Several articles made sure to stress the line, "Carlson was himself booted off Fox News in mysterious and acrimonious circumstances" in an effort to make him the villain of the piece, or at least a co-henchman with unspecified dark motives.)

The real truth is that McGregor was already in the Grand Lodge building because his recording production company was there shooting a political "music" video (and I use quotations deliberately, because music is nothing like what you'd call it). The publishable title of this pro-Irish Republican Army, anti-monarchial rap piece is "Spit In It" by an entity calling itself Eskimo Supreme (Irish rapper Alex Sheeran). But the actual lyric itself is the far more repulsive "Spit in my c--t".

No, I won't link to it here, but it's on YouTube if you really feel compelled to see it. It's is pure I.R.A. anti-U.K. agitprop packaged like a music video. And no matter what your views on Irish politics may be, it's noxious no matter how you slice it.

The story line, as it were, is that the British royal family has discovered that a female royal can morph into a reptilian dragon if imprisoned Irish Republican Army members can be compelled to (I'm not making this up) spit saliva onto her genitals. The video depicts an unnamed woman ("your royal highness") sitting on her throne, dropping her panties to the floor, who is then treated to this disgusting activity, while some sort of doctor supervises. After completing the deed, each prisoner is then taken out back and shot. Eventually, an escaped IRA prisoner dressed as an English palace guard bursts into the room, spraying machine gun fire, releasing the prisoners, and then apparently mounting the kneeling royal lady from behind, who then transforms into a flying dragon and spits fire at famed Tower Bridge. 

The.  End.

Not exactly Handel's Messiah.

The Grand Lodge of Ireland's lodge room was used for the throne room scenes, edited to appear as though it is located in the U.K. Parliament building in Westminster. In an early wide shot, the squares and compasses can be clearly seen in the upper cornices of the room. I guess to imply the royal reptilians are all Masons...

According to an article on BrteakingNewsIE by Olivia Kellaher:

Alex Sheeran, the artist behind Eskimo Supreme, is signed to Greenback Records, which is credited at the end of the video. [Conor] McGregor launched the label last summer with music industry business partners. He said it was set to be a “a multi-genre record label supporting artists at all stages of their career.”

Now, none of this has been explained in the vast majority of stories making the rounds. Only that McGregor is disgusting, that Carlson is disgusting-er, and that the Grand Lodge is VERY, VERY sorry that this interview was ever shot in their building. Which begs the obvious question: when all of this genital-spitting, knicker-dropping, prisoner screaming and machine gun firing was going on in the very same Grand Lodge room, was there NO ONE from the Masons to shout, "Not in OUR building, you don't!" Honestly. Did they just hand the keys over to the crew and go home? Even if an "outside booking company" handled the transaction?Didn't one single trustee, grand officer, janitor or Blue Lodge Mason happen to spot any of this and demand a halt be called long before McGregor and Carlson shot their interview? Or did the €2500 seem enough lucre at the time to assuage everyone's Masonic consciences?

I advocate all the time for opening the doors to our facilities to the general public in order to remind our communities that we remain an important part of the civic and moral fabric. But this is beyond the pale.  If ANY Freemason was present for any of this display of grotesqueries at the time, they need to be expelled from the fraternity.

Meanwhile, the bulk of the press wants to keep leaning into the "FAR RIGHT! FAR RIGHT!" screaming mania, without any revelation as to what was really going on.

UPDATE: Late this week, the Grand Lodge of Ireland got around to addressing the "Spit In It" video with a second apology and vows to investigate just who was responsible for approving the use of the hall. I don't really care who approved the rental. Why didn't anyone step in during the shoot itself and halt it?

(NOTE: Comments are turned off because I don't feel up to non-stop policing them for the next 72 hours.)

The Story of Ireland's 'Lady Freemason' Coming To Television

Elizabeth St Leger Aldworth, Ireland's Lady Freemason

by Christopher Hodapp

The famous tale of Ireland's first 'Lady Freemason,' Elizabeth St Leger Aldworth, was dramatized in print three years ago by Irish-American author Kathleen Aldworth Foster. Her novel, Doneraile Court: The Story of The Lady Freemason,  was framed as an historical romance/mystery with some Masonic intrigue thrown in. Now, an Irish production company has announced that Foster's novel will soon be made into a television series.

Doneraile Court today (photo: Tuatha)

The story of young Elizabeth's initiation into her father's Masonic lodge has been written about for almost three centuries, and it's been a part of the fabric of the Grand Lodge of Ireland's history from its beginnings in 1725. Her father, Arthur St Leger, the first Viscount Doneraile, would eventually become Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1740. But Elizabeth's tale predates the grand lodge and takes place back between 1710 and 1712. 

At the time, a lodge met regularly in Doneraile Court, the stately home of the St. Legers (the house still stands today and is open to the public for tours). The meeting that night was presided over by her father, Lord Doneraile, and her brother — the 3rd Viscount, father of the 4th Viscount, Grand Master — was also present.

Young Elizabeth was an avid reader, and the home's library was an extensive one. It also happened to be the room next door to the large salon where the Masonic lodge held its meetings. At the time of the story, some interior renovations to the house were being made, and a former passage doorway between the two rooms was being blocked in with bricks in preparation of being plastered over and painted.

A floorplan of the house showing the library, the lodge room, 

and the blocked passage between them. 

From a paper by Edward Conder for Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076

Lodge members had been arriving all afternoon. Everyone assembled in the lodge room, the doors were closed, and the family butler was stationed outside as Tyler. 

Elizabeth had been in the library that afternoon, but she had dozed off once the sun went down outside. The sounds of the lodge meeting opening in the room next door awakened her. Once she realized what she was hearing, curiosity overcame the young woman, and she crept over to where the workmen had temporarily stacked bricks over the old doorway in order to hear what was being said.

From a book based on her memoirs published in 1811, comes the account of what happened next:

The sound of voices in the next room restored her to consciousness and from her position behind the loosely placed bricks of the dividing wall she easily realised that something unusual was taking place in the next room. The light shining through the unfilled spaces in the temporary wall attracted her attention and, prompted by a not unnatural curiosity, Miss St. Leger appears to have removed one or more of the loose bricks, and thus was easily enabled to watch the proceedings of the Lodge.

For some time her interest in what was transpiring was sufficiently powerful to hold her spell-bound; the quietness of her mind remained undisturbed for a considerable period and it was not until she realised the solemnity of the responsibilities undertaken by the candidate that she understood the terrible consequences of her action.

The wish to hide her secret by making good her retreat took full possession of her thoughts, for it must be fully understood that although she was perfectly aware that her father's Lodge was held at the house, she had no idea on entering the library that on that evening a meeting was about to be held in the adjoining room. Her only means of exit was through the Lodge Room and we can well understand what must have been the feeling of the young girl when she realised that the only way to escape was through the very room where the concluding part of the Second Degree was being given. The door being at the far end of the room, she had sufficient resolution to attempt her escape that way. With light and trembling step, and almost suspended breath, she glided along, unobserved by the Lodge, laid her hand on the handle and, softly opening the door, before her stood her father's butler, the grim and faithful Tyler, with drawn sword in his hand, guarding the entrance. Her shriek alarmed the Lodge and the Brethren, having carried the young girl back into the library, learned what had occurred.

The Freemasons at the time took Masonic secrecy VERY seriously, and the members were horrified that their meeting had been gate-crashed by this nosey girl — or, at least they sure SOUNDED like they were taking it seriously. A discussion immediately ensued as to what sort of fate awaited poor Elizabeth. Even Lord Doneraile pronounced that they had just two choices left to them: either Elizabeth would have to be - regretfully - executed, lest she blab their secrets to the profane world; or they would just have to break down and initiate her into the lodge, thereby requiring her to properly take the obligations of the degrees in order and ensuring her silence. The vote was taken, the ayes prevailed, and Elizabeth was immediately initiated as an Entered Apprentice, and passed to be a Fellow of the Craft (there were only the two degrees at this time — the Master Mason degree wouldn't come along in England until the late 1720s, and it took a bit for it to spread to other jurisdictions).

Foster's novelized version embroiders the story with some local spookiness, gypsies, witchcraft, and, of course, some dreamy romantic passages between Elizabeth and a dashing young lodge member named Richard Aldworth. In reality, Elizabeth did indeed participate in the lodge for many years, marching with her lodge brethren in public ceremonies and parades while proudly wearing her Masonic apron. Just five months after the incident at the lodge, Elizabeth really did marry Richard Aldworth.

Plaque erected at St. Finbarre's Cathedral by the Freemasons of Cork. 

From the Irish Masonic History website.

According to her obituary published in the Leinster Journal upon her death in 1780, Elizabeth was ‘The only woman in the world who had the honour of being made a Freemason', and today the Grand Lodge of Ireland proudly displays her painting in their Dublin headquarters. She's still referred to as "Ireland's ONLY Female Freemason," which isn't exactly true, since there are female Masonic lodges and mixed-gender Co-Masons at work in that country. But she IS historically the only recognized female member of the Grand Lodge of Ireland's otherwise all-male fraternity.

Now comes the announcement that Kathleen Foster's novel will soon become a limited TV series produced by Great Island Productions, which is based in Cork. From the Irish Star website, "Ireland's only female Freemason was a 'courageous woman' who blazed a trail" by Martha Brennan:

Mark Kenny, CEO of Great Island Productions, said: "This is not just another story we're bringing to life. This is a captivating narrative about a trailblazing Irish woman that’s a thriller, mystery, and love story set against the backdrop of Doneraile Court in County Cork.

"Great Island's CFO Jim Robinson added: “Our partnership with Kathleen underscores our shared passion for engaging storytelling and historical intrigue. As plans unfold for adapting The Story of The Lady Freemason into a TV series, audiences can look forward to experiencing a unique blend of drama and history that also addresses issues of gender and inequality still relatable today.”

No information yet as to what network, station or service will actually air the series, biu it's still early in the development phase. 

For more about the real story of Elizabeth St Leger Aldworth, have a look at the Irish Masonic History website HERE. 

And for more about Kathleen Foster's novel and how this New Jersey author became fascinated by Elizabeth;s story, have a look at this article on the Irish Star website HERE.

Anti-Masonic Vandalism: Freemasons' Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland Damaged

by Christopher Hodapp

Historic Freemasons Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland was damaged last Tuesday when one or more unknown vandals smashed a window and damaged the building's exterior.

From a story in the Belfast Telegraph by Niamh Campbell:

It was reported that a window above a door at the property in Arthur Square was smashed sometime between 8.45pm on Monday evening and 11am on Tuesday morning.

A male was observed acting suspiciously in the area at around 10pm on Monday evening, and officers say they “would be keen to speak with him”.

The PSNI said he was dressed in a black hoody with the hood up, an orange top hanging below the hoody, grey bottoms, and that he was carrying a black bag.

The Masonic hall, adjacent to Victoria Square shopping centre, is home to dozens of Freemason Belfast lodges.

Posting on the Irish Masonic Network’s social media page, a member shared images of the vandalised building and stated: “With great sadness I have to report a sustained attack on Freemasons Hall Arthur Square.

After the Vatican issued a new statement in November reaffirming the Roman Catholic Church's rules forbidding their congregants from becoming Freemasons, there has been a major uptick in offensive online anti-Masonic commentary. There has already been a steady increase in reports of attacks on Masonic halls throughout the world in 2023 in the form of anti-Masonic graffiti, break-ins, arson fires, and other forms of deliberate damage. 

Belfast Freemasons Hall after its 2007 renovations

The Belfast Freemasons Hall was originally opened in 1870, and underwent a complete refurbishment in 2007. It is home to numerous Masonic lodges, appendant bodies, and the Donegal Masonic Club.

According to the Hall's website, the renowned Belfast artist John Luke was commissioned in  spring 1955 to execute a mural depicting “Solomon Building the Temple” in The Provincial Masonic Hall Rosemary Street. Measuring 31feet long and 7feet high, it was completed November 1956, and the artist was paid £375. In 2000 the mural was appraised at £3 million.

Police are continuing to investigate the case.

Fire at Grand Lodge of Ireland in Dublin

by Christopher Hodapp

NOTE: This story has been updated to include a statement from the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

The Irish Times and other sources are reporting that a fire broke out at the historic Dublin headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Ireland this evening (New Years Eve) at about 5:30 PM local time on New Years Eve. The building was supposed to be empty at that time, and fire officials suspect arson. 

Witnesses said that a man in his 30s was seen climbing through a broken window into the building and setting fire to a Christmas tree that was displayed in the building's library. The fire brigade arrived at 5:40 and quickly extinguished the blaze.

A bizarre anti-vaccination message was also painted on the sidewalk outside.

From the Irish Times:

The graffiti is understood to be reference to mRNA, the technology used in some Covid-19 vaccines.

The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland grand secretary Philip Daleydescribed the attack as “very serious” and “completely out of the blue”.

However, he said there had been previous demonstrations outside the hall and other Masoni halls in Ireland by anti-vaccination campaigners.

“The view is that we created the virus and we are part of the new world order and we have to be stopped. It’s ridiculous stuff,” he said.

An unidentified man was hospitalized with spinal injuries after falling at the scene. No one is saying yet whether this person is under suspicion for the blaze, or merely an innocent bystander.

The magnificent Freemasons Hall on Molesworth Street in Dublin has been the home of the Grand Lodge since 1860. While the fire was mostly contained to one room, the library is the perhaps the worst of all possible places to be damaged. 

UPDATE: January 4, 2022, 3:40PM

The following statement was issued this morning by the Grand Secretary for the Grand lodge of Ireland:

Dear Brethren,

Thank you for the many emails, texts, and calls offering support and assistance following the arson attack at Freemasons’ Hall. It is impossible, at this time, to reply individually due to the large volume, however we really appreciate your support.

The insurance assessors have been working over the weekend to assess the damage, but it will take some time to complete this. Our first objective is to get Freemasons’ Hall open and operational. It is hoped that electricity and gas will be restored within the next 24 hours and the clean-up has commenced.

Although the damage is extensive, it is repairable, and work will commence over the coming weeks. The books and the paintings in the café / library have suffered smoke damage and a plan is in place to protect them prior to restoration.

I would ask for your patience in dealing with administrative matters at this time. It may take a little longer to get a reply as our computers and telephone services have not yet been restored.

Sincerely & fraternally,

Philip A.J. Daley

Grand Secretary

 Meanwhile, two photos of some of the interior damage to the library and cafe have been circulated on Facebook without attribution. If anyone knows who took these images, let me know and I'll add their credit. 

Happy New Year - It's 6022 AM!

In the 1650s, Archbishop James Ussher of the Church of Ireland, set out to calculate the exact date of God's creation of the world. Using the biblical account along with a comparison of Middle Eastern histories, Hebrew genealogy, and other known events, he determined that the Earth was created on Sunday, October 23, 4004 B.C. 

That makes today New Years Day. It's 6022 A.M. (Anno Mundi).

At about the same time, John Lightfoot, vice chancellor of Cambridge University, went on to further clarify that the Creation actually happened at about 9 a.m. Ussher disagreed, pegging the time as 1 a.m. 

No, Daylight Saving Time was not specified.

Ussher's claim was detailed in his massive volume, Annals of the World, which was published in 1658, two years after his death. A meticulous researcher, compiler and Bible scholar, Ussher used the date of Nebuchadnezzar as a historical reference point, and traced the biblical genealogies backward from there to arrive at a date for creation. He spent five years traveling Europe, seeking historical documents and other writings to aid in his research. He then compiled his collection of world events and biblical events in chronological order.

Master Books published a beautiful hardback edition of Ussher's Annals back in 2003. Few modern readers have had the opportunity to read the book, which sets out Ussher's determination of exact dates and times of every major and minor event depicted in the Old and New Testaments.

Ussher was an intensely devout man in a turbulent time, and daring to calculate the date of the Creation was deemed heretical by some theologians at the time. It was an uneasy transition period as the scientific preoccupations of the Enlightenment were frequently clashing with the established religious dogma of the past. So it made sense that Ussher's work was posthumously released. Nevertheless, his establishment of this important date was eagerly accepted by the Christian world in a remarkably short period of time.

Ussher called his dated calendar Anno Mundi, the 'Year of the World.' Ussher and Lightfoot’s calculations of the exact date and time of the Creation were soon widely accepted as fact by most Christian denominations. Beginning in 1701, new editions of the King James Bible clearly stated it right up front in an added introduction that was not part of the biblical text, but might as well have been as far as readers were concerned. Up until the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin were popularized, many Christians (and Jewish scholars as well) were firmly convinced that the Earth was no more than about 6,000 years old.

Because Ussher’s Creation date was so strongly believed by the time of modern Freemasonry’s origin in 1717, Masons began dating documents using 4004 B.C. as their beginning year . . . sort of. 4004 was an inconvenient number to remember, so Masons simply took the current year and added 4,000 to it. So, 1717 became 5717, and today 2018 becomes 6018 Anno Lucis, or A.L., since Anno Lucis means “Year of Light” in Latin. Masons called it that to coincide with the Genesis passage, “And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” They did this early on to lend the fraternity an air of greater, more solemn antiquity. If they dated their documents as being 5,717 years old, they’d certainly sound more respectable and impressive than some newly formed London drinking club. Thus, today you will often see two dates on Masonic cornerstones—both A.D. and A.L.

Meanwhile, the Royal Arch, Cryptic Masons, Knights Templar, and the Scottish Rite all have their own different calendars and dating systems. But that's a different post. For more about the many differing calendars you will encounter throughout Masonic appendant bodies, have a look at my earlier entry, Happy A.D. 2018 - A.L. 6018! 

"I'm Fed Up With My Grand Lodge!" - UGLE's Internet No. 9659 and Other Options

Several U.S. Masons have asked me online and backchannel if there is any regular, recognized alternative to belonging to the Grand Lodge in their state. As far as I know (and feel free to correct me, anybody who may have different information), in most cases, you cannot join a jurisdiction outside of your home state unless you actually live in another one, and generally for a year. Dual memberships are common, in situations when you move to another state and become a resident there, but still want to retain membership in your Mother Lodge. However, there are jurisdictions that do NOT allow dual memberships in different jurisdictions at all  (and I know it is not allowed by virtually every Prince Hall Affiliated grand lodge, who generally don''t even allow dual lodge memberships within their OWN jurisdictions).

INTERNET LODGE 9659 (UGLE)

The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) constituted Internet Lodge No. 9659 in 1998. It is a regular, recognized lodge that is open to any existing member of the UGLE, or any other Grand Lodge that is in amity with the UGLE (see the list here). They hold a physical meeting in an approved English Masonic lodge three times a year, moving around the UGLE's territory with each meeting. The password-protected members only part of the site deals with the minutes and day to day business of the lodge (they do NOT actually meet over the Internet). They have members from all around the world who are real, authentic, regular, recognized Freemasons, and each meeting is followed by a traditional Festive Board for attendees. The catch is that its members must first be initiated, passed and raised in their own lodge before they can petition to join Internet Lodge. And each member must agree to pay all regular UGLE annual fees, along with their lodge membership. 

What I do not know is if you can demit from your Mother lodge, become an unaffiliated Mason, and then still be allowed to join Internet Lodge. I know you must technically be a Mason in your home jurisdiction when you join, but I don't know if you actually are required to maintain a lodge membership in your home jurisdiction. I suggest you contact both Internet Lodge's Assistant Secretary, as well as your own Grand Secretary to make sure the proper rules are followed.

(Since I first posted this, I have received messages from some US brethren who say they no longer belong to any US lodge or grand lodge, and ONLY have membership in Internet Lodge, making them solely a UGLE Mason.)

IRELAND LODGE 2000 (GL of Ireland)

Similar to Internet Lodge is Ireland Lodge No. 2000, a regular, recognized lodge chartered in 2000 by the Grand Lodge of Ireland AF&AM. Like Internet Lodge, members must be Master Masons in good standing of a jurisdiction in amity with the GL of Ireland, and its rolls are comprised of an international group. They meet four times a year, at different locations throughout Ireland. The June meeting is always held in Dublin, and is traditionally the one with the most foreign visitors. They also have a secure, online chat room and hold monthly gatherings (except in December) via the web. Degrees are not conferred by the lodge, and Masons wishing to affiliate with them must be initiated, passed, and raised in another lodge first.

CASTLE ISLAND VIRTUAL LODGE 190 (GL of Manitoba)

Finally, the Grand Lodge of Manitoba (Canada) chartered Castle Island Virtual Lodge No. 190 in 2012, and to my knowledge, it is the only truly Internet-based lodge in the world working under a charter from a regular, recognized grand lodge. (It's also the only lodge on Earth where you can be home 10 seconds after the last gavel falls!) The lodge meets online on the 5th Wednesday of those months that HAVE 5 Wednesdays, at 7:00PM Central Time. Visitors are welcome, but must first contact the Lodge Education Officer at Leo.civl.190@gmail.com or the Secretary at craehw@gmail.com to be given access. They must be from a jurisdiction that is in amity with the GL of Manitoba, and send a photograph of their current dues card along with a brief biography to the LEO to be "admitted" to meetings and the secure portion of the website. 

For the meeting itself, visitors must have a computer equipped with a microphone and camera, and they use Webex technology as a secure online conferencing method (originally, the lodge was designed as part of the "Second Life" virtual 3-D community, but a more secure meeting system was desired).  Ritual used is the Canadian Work (a variation of Britain's Emulation ritual), and visitors are expected to tyle their own computer's location during online meetings. 

If you are resolved to give up membership in your home lodge and grand lodge, you may first join Castle Island as a dual member, pay dues to the lodge and the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, and then demit from your home jurisdiction. You will have to be investigated and voted on, as with any other regular affiliation. For details on doing that, contact the Secretary. (It can and has been done before, but not often - their current Tyler just did this from his original lodge in Italy.)

AMERICAN JURISDICTIONS PERMITTING OUT OF STATE MEMBERSHIP

I have received a message that claimed the GL of the District of Columbia allows Masons to join their lodges without actually being a resident of the District or the immediate surrounding regions in Maryland and Virginia. But because DC has suspended fraternal relations with both TN and GA, this complicates the issue. Under the current circumstances, I don't know if DC is willing to act as a safe haven for disaffected Masons from those two states. Please contact them directly to clarify this. 

Also, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and the Grand Lodge of Alabama have no residency requirements, and allow multiple dual-memberships. There are undoubtedly others of which I am unaware, and with recent events, more jurisdictions neighboring troubled states may very well be making changes to these developments as I type this. It is probably best to simply contact the Grand Secretary in your neighboring state and simply ask if you might be permitted to affiliate or join outright if your permanent residence is outside of their territorial borders. 

TAKE NOTE: In certain cases, discretion may be vital when doing this. You may wish not to disclose your identity when making your initial contact out of state in case your own home grand lodge is vigorously attempting to prevent their own members from defecting. Do your research and find out all procedures required to transfer out by both grand lodges before you reveal yourself. There are generally territorial rules that have been enacted specifically to prevent what you are attempting, which is why the above alternatives are most dependable.

Also, be aware of the timing involved when it comes demitting in your state. Different grand lodges demand very different paperwork, such as letters of good standing. If at all possible, retain your current paid-up membership in your home jurisdiction, at least until you have a dues card or other official notice that you are a full member in your new out of state lodge. Only then can you safely pull the plug on your old one. And always be aware that an 'honorary' membership is not the same as a full fledged, dues paying, card-carrying membership in another lodge. Honorary memberships carry zero weight when it comes to Masonic jurisprudence.


UPDATE

A message specifically from a Tennessee Mason this afternoon about that particular grand lodge's process:

You must write to the Secretary of the GL of Tennessee and ask for a Certificate of Good Standing. This is NOT the same as a demit. Do not demit. This certification allows you to remain a member in good standing while you seek membership elsewhere, in another jurisdiction. You will need to get a new Certificate every year until you find a new home. If you are a just and upright man and Mason and want to join a regular lodge of Masons, you are not required to remain a member of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee in order to enjoy the fellowship and fraternity of the oldest organization in the world. Please be calm and do not demit your membership until you find an alternative.

GLNF Meltdown: Grand Lodge of Ireland Rumored To Be Next

Word is trickling in that the Grand Lodge of Ireland may announce this week that it is withdrawing recognition of the Grande Loge Nationale de France (GLNF), in the wake of six other European GLs so far this year (Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium).

In addition, the United Grand Lodge of England meets this month, and the issue will undoubtedly be on the agenda. There are also suggestions that the Grand Lodge of Scotland is considering severing its "auld alliance" as well. Losing recognition of the Anglo GLs will be symbolically catastrophic to the GLNF, as it was UGLE that aided in its formation and growth after WWI, to the exclusion of the long-established and perfectly regular Grande Loge de France (GLdF).

No U.S. or Canadian GLs have yanked recognition of GLNF. Yet.

Meanwhile, GLNF Grand Master François Stifani continues to cling to his position as the obedience disintegrates around him. I can't put my finger on which simile best describes the spiraling mess. A scorched earth policy, as he continues to either expel or accept the resignation of waves of grand officers and representatives, along with hundreds of members (including the Grand Secretary and the ten member Council of Sages resigning, and 14 provincial GMs expelled in May)? Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, with a court appointed administrator up in the wheelhouse? Or just whistling through the graveyard, as the zombie army approaches?

The GLNF is supposed to hold its General Assembly at the end of June, and the Paris court has ordered a carefully monitored election, along with demanding a financial audit of all accounts. Sounds serious, but the internal officers in charge of the audit last week sent a letter to the administrator saying they just need a little more time, since they've only had six months or so...

And of course all of this continues to be gleefully played out in the French media, to the embarrassment of all French Masons.

Cartoon from Franc-Maconnerie Magazine, No. 9, April/May 2011.

See also:

• Grande Loge Nationale Française Imploding: UGLE Weighs In
• France: GLNF Board of Directors Resigns
• Paris Court Appoints Attorney To Administer GLNF
• GLNF Grand Master Stifani Resigns . . . Sort Of