The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 2 – Historical Background
Another unique feature of Masonry in Scotland is that the degree of Mark
Master Mason is worked in Craft lodges, which in all other mainstream
jurisdictions contain only the three Craft degrees. Scottish Masons understand
the Mark degree as an adjunct to the Fellow Craft degree. This is rather
contradictory, since one has to be a Master Mason to receive this degree. 127 As a
last divergence from other Masonic institutions we would like to mention a
peculiar form of participation granted to brethren visiting Scottish Masonic
lodges. They are allowed to comment on the scenes they have witnessed in lodge
and may even criticize the proceedings of their hosts:
The closing of Scottish lodges or, more particularly, the procedures
adopted immediately prior to the closure, will be of interest to visitors.
In many lodges, just prior to the closing, members often take the
opportunity to comment on the quality of the work undertaken during
the course of the meeting. Some of these comments can be quite critical,
but nevertheless polite. Visitors are welcome to speak at this point.
They can convey fraternal greetings if they wish, or even comment on
the proceedings themselves. 128
2.3 Masonry and Politics in France and Italy
France
Le franc-maçon est d'abord un citoyen [...]. Le franc-maçon citoyen
français participe à la vie politique de son pays et, conscient de son rôle,
évalue la démocratie non seulement dans son présent mais dans son
devenir. 129
France is possibly the country with the most complex and diverse Masonic
history. At the close of the 20 th century, the exact number of Masonic bodies in
France could hardly be ascertained. There are about twelve, four of which have
principles similar to "mainstream Masonry." These four are the Grand Loge
Nationale Française (GLNF), the Grande Loge Traditionnelle et Symbolique
Opéra (GLTSO), the Loge Nationale Française (LNF), and the Grande Loge de
France (GLdF).
Foreign Grand Lodges widely recognize the GLNF, but the two offshoots of
the latter, the GLTSO and the LNF, remain unrecognized. The GLdF is the
oldest lodge of France and allegedly descents directly from the premier Grand
127 Ibid, p. 141.
128 Ibid, p. 138.
129 Mitterrand, p. 110.