Porto/2007
CLIPSAS 45 Years. Outcomes and Perspectives
It is not insignificant, for any organization, to reach 45 years of existence. It is a long existence, therefore demonstrating seriousness and consolidation.
Apparently, in its early stages CLIPSAS operated as a political support for some great European Denominations, which participated in its foundation. However, after 1996, a great change occurred.
Displeased for not managing to impose the modifications they intended and having been defeated in various voting sections, several members of our group, including some founders, decided to withdraw themselves from CLIPSAS. This separation caused great commotion and threatened to weaken the organization. They tried by every possible means to clear out CLIPSAS by attracting its members or either by creating other organizations in order to compete with it.
That was in vain. The difficulties caused a great majority of the members to become even more attached to CLIPSAS’s ideals of absolute freedom of conscience.
And there are those who remain faithful to the principles, to the idea of having a worldwide liberal organization. During the chairmanship of Javier Otaola (Grand Spanish Symbolic Lodge) and Marc-Antoine Cauchie (Grand Orient of Luxemburg), CLIPSAS reorganized itself and withstood the attacks from all directions. More and more members have been incorporated, in a way that its worldwide representation became even stronger.
Over the years, and with important allegiances from all countries, CLIPSAS has become a Center of Liaison and Information.
As a result CLIPSAS is currently even stronger, an organization representing the worldwide liberal and adogmatic Freemasonry, and is still searching a more accurate definition of its role in the world.
I think that the answer to this subject lies in its name: CENTER OF LIAISON AND INFORMATION.
More than 50 Masonic organizations represent Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America. The CLIPSAS’s motto: absolute freedom of conscience which is the foundation of its success.
Nowadays, the human being does not look for more dogmas to be enslaved by. On the contrary, he searches for ways to be released from the fetters that have oppressed his freedom of conscience for such a long time.
CLIPSAS congregates liberal and adogmatic Freemasonry and structures itself around the annual General Assembly, divided in two work days, one of them dedicated to the Colloquium. On this day, Freemasons from all around the world share their opinions, from the simplest to the most intellectual, about a subject that has been chosen on the previous meeting.
The projects presented in the Colloquium represent our contribution to the debate on important issues to Freemasons as well as to all humanity. These projects can be accessed at the CLIPSAS’s homepage.
The Masonic bodies belonging to CLIPSAS have thus all year to prepare the projects on the suggested subject. Therefore, it is of an unquestionable quality.
The next day, the General Assembly dictates, discuses, and chooses the CLIPSAS’s administration, therefore assigning the board of directors (Bureau).
What happens between the breaks of the meetings and meals is also important: the liaison between the members, that thus have the chance to get to know each other, to exchange experiences on what happens in the scope of each Jurisdiction, of each Lodge, as well as the direction the Masonry in his/her country is following, and the details about the execution of each ritual.
It is pleasant to see the different Authorities supporting formal agreements of friendship and mutual recognition. It is pleasant to see the groups together, exchanging places with other members during each meal, as if they all wanted to exchange their own experiences with the largest number of people. This liaison lasts all year, during the various invitations for diverse Masonic ceremonies and commemorations.
This liaison becomes even more intense when we, likewise the old senior members of the craft guilds, meet every year to share our projects, share the new tendencies, and to depart to another year of struggles.
The CLIPSAS NEWS magazine is no longer published, but it used to bring information of common interest for its members and the freemasons in general.
Today, due to the financial difficulties to publish and distribute a magazine throughout the world, therefore this information is shared through CLIPSAS’s and/or its member’s websites.
This Information Center project may be improved if the members feel motivated to contribute with the CLIPSAS’s website. The web page must be a means to exchange information, being it from CLIPSAS to its members, or either between its members.
No one can deny CLIPSAS’ representation as the largest worldwide organization of liberal Masonry.
Nowadays CLIPSAS has a good financial situation and has no need to fear surprises that may arise, therefore it can define the paths for its own future.
I am an idealist due to my principles of life. I believe in human perfectibility and I believe we can become to a true Masonic brotherhood. However, we have to work in order for this to happen, mainly by putting the values of equality, freedom and fraternity into practice.
It would be necessary to return at the time when we were initiated, to bring back the memories of the ritual of the first degree to the third one, to rediscover the chivalrous idealism of Freemasonry and, at the same time, we should divest ourselves of our prides of Worshipful, Illustrious, Powerful, and other Masonic titles and qualities. It is necessary to return to the humanism of the apprentice who learns the meaning of everything.
Therefore, with the humility of an apprentice we will be able to solve our differences and follow the Masonic life, a life full of peace, fraternity and absolute freedom of conscience.
There is more. There are the members who left. I do not agree that the main objective of the chairman is to spend his time trying to bring them back. I believe that we must show them the way CLIPSAS currently follows, making it clear that we have open doors to Masonic Powers who identify themselves with Clipsas current ways.
Much has been said about the United Nations. It was discussed the possibility of CLIPSAS being there as an observer, like other NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations). We talked a lot about it and we have done little or nothing to reach this goal. I believe that we must discuss this matter within CLIPSAS, because among the members there are those who are favorable to the opening and those who are against it. We must make our goals and intentions clear, defining whether we will speak on behalf of all CLIPSAS’ members or on behalf of the Adogmatic and liberal Freemasonry, finally, what will we do there, how we will behave once we are admitted.
To finalize, I would like to make it clear that I do not want to cause dissention. I do not want to be the Chairman of the Americas, or of Latin America. I would prefer to go back to my Grand Lodge as a representative; I prefer to participate as possible and would like to avoid dissentions or conflicts over vain differences, or over the formal Chairman title.
I would like to have the companion of Vice-presidents who are committed to seriously work to pursue CLIPSAS’ main goals, which are LIAISON and INFORMATION.
Let us not forget that CLIPSAS has a capital and a 50-year historic heritage. In addition, it does not stop there. It is represented all over the Western hemisphere. It is the largest adogmatic and liberal Masonic organization in the world. It is remarkable.
Therefore I conclude!
Porto, May 18th, 2007.
JEFFERSON I. J. SCHEER
Grand Master
The United Grand Lodge of Paraná (Brazil)