The Grand Traditional and Symbolic Lodge Opera (VTSLO) ( French Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra ) is a Masonic great lodge that appeared as a result of the split with the Great National Lodge of France (WNLF) in 1958 . VTSLO is male obedience, and belongs to traditional Freemasonry [1] .
Content
History
In 1958 , the seven GNLF lodges , led by the Center of Friends lodge (French Center des Amis ), left the GNLF to establish the French Grand National Lodge of France - Opera (Grande Loge nationale française - Opéra). The name Opera itself indicates the address of the new headquarters of the new obedience [2] .
The split was caused by two reasons:
- Strong influence of the English brothers on the GNLF (about 25% of the freemasons in the GNLF were British).
- The desire to establish fraternal relations with other obedience [3] .
Thus, three years later, a new obedience (WTLSO) established fraternal relations with other Masonic organizations by joining the Center for Relations and Information of Masons who signed the act in Strasbourg ( CLIPSAS ) [2] .
In 1982, VNLF - Opera was renamed the Great Traditional and Symbolic Lodge of Opera, or VTSLO. The name change was motivated by a desire to avoid confusion and to better differentiate itself from the original name of the GNLF and the “National Lodge of France”, founded in 1968 [3] .
Current Situation
To date, the VTsLO has about 4,500 members in almost 300 boxes, both in France and around the world [4] .
With the Grand Lodge of France , the WTSLA, in 2000 , initiated the creation of the Confederation of United Great Lodges of Europe [5] , which consists of the traditional symbolic great lodges of the unrecognized OVLA [3] .
Federal structure
VTSLO is a federation of French and foreign lodges. WTSLO headquarters are located in France, but there are also offices in Belgium, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Thailand and Africa. As for the latter, the “Great Traditional Symbolic Lodge of Africa” (VTSLA) was created there in 2010, uniting the lodges of Senegal , the Republic of Congo , Benin , Côte d'Ivoire , Mali and Togo . Although the VTSLA is controlled by the VTSLO in compliance with the charters and traditions of the lodge, from the point of view of respect and general culture, this African obedience has its own autonomy. The same thing with the PTSLM, the "Great Traditional Symbolic Lodge of Madagascar", founded in 1993 by 25 boxes [4] .
French lodges are grouped in six regions. Each lodge is under the supervision and management of a federal adviser elected by local authorities (the adviser oversees several lodges in the same region). Federal advisers are ruled by assistants to the great master . The Grand Master has 6 deputies who are responsible for lodges in each region. At the head of the VTSLO is a great master, who is elected by secret ballot at the Convention for a term of not more than three years [3] .
In January 2011 , Jean Dubard, was elected 63 great master of VTSLO. He was initiated into Freemasonry thirty years ago, and in recent years had a great responsibility, as he served as deputy great master [6] .
There is also a “Great Federal College”, which is responsible for legal aspects, and a “committee of wise men," consisting of former great masters. The Committee of Wise Men is the last resort in judicial decisions of obedience, and also controls the correctness of the overall functioning of management bodies (similar to the “Constitutional Council”) [3] .
Statutes Used
The “ Revised Scottish Charter ” (ISHU) is the official charter of the PTSL. This means that all official ceremonies are held under this charter [3] .
The following charters are also practiced:
- Ancient and accepted Scottish charter
- French charter
- Ritual Emulation
- York charter
- Standard Scottish Ritual
Principles
VTSLO is a Masonic male obedience, although it recognizes female obedience. This is a problem of the traditional provisions of male freemasonry. But political and religious discussions, as well as in other obediences, are prohibited in the VTSLO lodges. In addition, work is being conducted In the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe [3] .
Association of French Freemasonry
In 2001, the association of Masonic great lodges was founded in France under the name "French Freemasonry" (FM). In addition to the VTsLO, the new association included eight more French obediences [7] .
In October 2002, at the initiative of the same nine obediences, the Institute of Freemasonry of France (IMF) was created [7] .
See also
- History of Freemasonry in France
- CARPET
- Dashez, Roger
Notes
- ↑ Paul Naudon, Histoire générale de la franc-maçonnerie, PUF, 1981
- ↑ 1 2 Dashez, Roger Dachez, Histoire de la franc-maçonnerie française, PUF, Paris, 2003, ISBN 2-13-053539-9
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Daniel Ligou (ed.), Histoire des Francs-Maçons en France, Tome 2 1815-2000, Privat, Toulouse, 2000, ISBN 2-7089-6839-4
- ↑ 1 2 Dashez, Roger Dachez, Histoire de la franc-maçonnerie française, PUF, Paris, 2003, ISBN 2-13-053539-9
- ↑ Confédération des Grandes Loges Unies d'Europe Archived November 13, 2008.
- ↑ Accueil | Grande Loge Traditionnelle et Symbolique Opéra
- ↑ 1 2 La Maçonnerie Française Archived on December 28, 2014.