José Moreno

José Moreno, Mestre Maçom Instalado, (click) é anunciado na sessão da Grande Loja Legal de Portugal que teve lugar, ontem, em Lisboa, Grão-Mestre da GLLP/GLRP para o biénio 2012-2014. José Moreno recolheu a maioria dos votos dos Mestres Maçons das 93 Lojas da Obediência Portuguesa e foi proclamado chefe da nossa Augusta Ordem.
A R:.L:. Luz do Oriente n.o 80, sita a Oriente de Macau, congratula-se com esta prova de fortitude, preserverança e dedicação maçónica e dirige ao Grão-Mestre eleito felicitações e um triplice abraço fraterno de incentivo para este segundo mandato que nos possa dirigir em novos progressos na senda maçónica para Bem da Ordem e da Maçonaria Regular Universal.
A aposta na Maçonaria Lusófona (click) quem em bom tempo incentivou é a comprovação da universalidade dos nossos valores para além dos continentes, raças, credos e filiações. Realizações evidentes no seu primeiro mandato a reunificação da Maçonaria Regular Portuguesa com o regresso dos Irmãos que haviam saído aquando da crise da Casa do Sino (click) e a compra da nova sede da nossa Obediência um desígnio há muito acarinhado or sucessivos Grão-Mestres.

Declaration of the MRGM to the newspaper "Sol". Freemasonary and Lusophonie.

Maçonaria está a instalar-se em força nos países lusófonos. A Grande Loja Legal de Portugal (GLLP), a maçonaria regular, já tem lojas em todos os países e territórios onde se fala a língua portuguesa.
Angola é o país onde se verifica maior crescimento, existindo neste momento três lojas da GLLP, com um total de 150 maçons – adiantou ao SOL o grão-mestre da maçonaria regular, José Moreno.
O mesmo crescimento verifica-se em Cabo Verde, onde a GLLP já tem duas lojas. Timor, Guiné-Bissau, São Tomé e Príncipe e Macau têm, cada um, uma loja maçónica. A última a ser constituída foi a de Macau, no passado mês de Junho: «Fui a Macau consagrar essa loja», refere José Moreno, acrescentando que só neste território haverá maçons da outra maçonaria, a irregular. «Nos outros não há. Só há maçonaria regular», garante.
Já no Brasil e em Moçambique o peso da maçonaria é tal que a organização foi autonomizada da portuguesa. «Nestes países, já há a Grande Loja Legal do Brasil e a Grande Loja Legal de Moçambique», explica José Moreno, acrescentando que no território brasileiro «há milhões de maçons».
Moçambique, por seu lado, obteve a sua ‘independência’ há dois anos, tendo na altura três lojas e 200 membros.
Ou seja, nestes dois países a maçonaria regular não depende da portuguesa: têm um grão-mestre próprio e são reconhecidas internacionalmente. As outras, isto é, a de Angola e dos restantes países, pertencem à Grande Loja Legal de Portugal, sendo o grão-mestre José Moreno.
In Maçonaria entra em força nos países lusófonos.

20 anos da Grande Loja Regular de Portugal.

Parece curto mas os 20 anos de vida da Grande Loja Regular de Portugal são o galardão de um longo caminho percorrido, da certeza que estávamos na direcção certa e que o tempo nos deu razão. Pelo caminho alguns acidentes próprios de qualquer construção humana, alguns que se enganaram quando entraram e procuraram outra coisa que não encontraram aqui. Salutarmente reconstroi-se o bloco fundador dos que vinte anos atrás fizeram uma aposta, ao sairem do GOL, e refundar a Maçonaria Regular acolhendo-se a quem na altura nos abriu a porta do Templo, os Irmãos da Grande Loja Nacional Francesa. É importante recordar isto agora, porque todas as instituições têm a sua crise de crescimento mas encontram com paciência e sem declinarem os princípios fundamentais o seu caminho. Por muito negro que o futuro se anuncie. Gostoso este abraço que hoje se verifica à Maçonaria da América Latina e de África, novas pedras no edifício deste Templo colectivo da Maçonaria Universal. Aqui algumas fotos da sessão comemorativa dos 20 anos.

Consecration

In any constituency the installation of the Officers of a Lodge marks the starting point of its Masonic year. For Luz do Oriente the appraised ceremony have two meanings: it concludes a process of four years to raise columns of a regular lodge in Macao [China]; it validates the process of training of Brethren for the benefits of the Royal Art. In the first case Freemasonry has a long history in Macau of almost 250 years making the Royal Art available for Free Men of Good Report believers in the presence of God among Men and its enlightening luminary. Part of the history –completely unknown – needs to be told. In the second case this enterprise would not be possible without the pushing effort of two Portuguese, a British and an American Master Masons. For the circumstances of life one of them is no more close to us but the other three are part of the blocks that brought our Temple from the scratches. We turn to be a larger family with people from different social background, either Portuguese of from other nationalities. This process is closely connected to the sort of society Macau is, a crossroad between East and West, the gate to that marvelous civilization that is China. In this cosmopolitan gathering, this melting pot of races, cultures and even dialects, Freemasonry turns to be the connecting point to transport that process of cultural interexchange more deeply into the soul of Men. Under strict discrency we raise temples to the virtues of men and we burry the vices that oppress their liberty. As we are doing for centuries.   

The 20th Anniversay of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal

The Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal celebrated its 20th anniversary this last 18th May. Twenty years ago, a group of freemasons left the Grand Orient Lusitano, the historical Portuguese Obedience, and were regularized by the Grand Loge Nationale Française. From this former group, several Lodges emerged that in time formed the District of Portugal of the Grand Loge National Française. Among the Brethren that traveled to France to receive the regularization were Fernando Teixeira, José Manuel Moreira, José Carlos Nogueira, Pisanay Burnay, Álvaro de Athayde, Nandin de Carvalho, José Manuel Anes and Nuno Nazareth Fernandes. From this group, Portuguese Freemasonry retook its regularity something that HAD lost in 1918 when the Grand Oriente Lusitano aligned with the Grand Orient of France, rejecting the belief on the Grand Architect of Universe, and the use of Book of the Sacred Law as mandatory principles of the Fraternity. Insofar the recognition of GOL by the United Grand Lodge of England was cancelled.
The Brethren of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal gathered in a dinner to commemorate that festive date.

Luz do Oriente in the site of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal

The site of the GLLP (Regular) includes a link to this site in its recent update. It is here (click) New improvements in the scope and issues are scheduled.. We want to keep this site as a window to the world of freemasonry, whetever their detailed allegiances. The world is too diverse and profound to keep ourselves inside closed doors. We can always learn from each other, wherever they are. That is the long run sense of our mission, values and traditions.

Christmas, Grand Lodge and others

The site of our Grand Lodge includes an update of developments occurred in December, news about the session of the Solstice of Winter and a report on the creation of two new Lodges Veritas no. 77 at the East of Coimbra and D. João II, no. 78 at the Orient of Lisbon. To the new Lodges of the Craft the congratulations of the Brethren of Macau and best wishes for new achievements in the pathway of the Royal Art. It is a impressive sign that the Obedience is enlarging the number of its workers and cells. One of the Lodges has come out from the R:.L:. Anderson no. 7 to which our Triangle was formerly dependent before being assign to the responsibilities of the R:.L:. Marquis de Pombal. 

The Master of the Triangle has an emotional and warm relationship with the R:.L:. Anderson to which  has belonged for large years and all the appraise would not be enough for what have learned there, in terms of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, good spirit and enormous friendship. Although our Order is built of different rites and for what one can guess the R:.R:. L:.L: Anderson and D. João II will obey to different ritualism, there is always the same Portuguese style to balance solemnity when joy, fun and sense of livehood. A last remarks is owned to Bro:. Rui Bandeira that subscribes most of the pieces in the December update of GLLP site. This signifies that this good Brother will continue at the helmet of the site making the good job he is been doing for several years (if I am not wrong). Congratulations for him also. We are just approaching the Christmas Eve and is my privilege and honor in the name of Luz do Oriente to wish a Holy Christmas to all Brethren and families, a joyful “consoada” with the nice things that our cuisine comprise and a lot of love. If Brethren allow me a pray, let’s raise our prays to the Grand Architect of the Universe that He may bring more understanding, trust and forgiveness for us and between us, making us more comprehensive about the faults and mistakes of eachone and less overriding for what we intend to be the real truth, our truth.  We need a lot of this open spirit in the year ahead, so let us be lead by the square and justice, in liberty, not by the sword.
GAMA, W:.M:.

Solstice of Winter. The Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal.

Elapsed the Equinox of Autumn, the Earth describes an arch closer to the Sun and arrives to its closest point, the point of the Solstice of Winter. In the North Hemisphere the sun is directly overhead at noon along the Tropic of Capricorn. We are not sure how long humans recognize the winter solstice as a turning point of the year. It seems probably 4000 years before the birth of Jesus. In agriculture cultures as the Celtics, the Mesopotamians or the Egyptians, the Solstice of Winter was a time of celebration as an ancient fear that light would never return unless humans intervened in celebration existed. Christians adopt the solstice ritualism and make it the birth of Christ, exactly the day ancient people celebrated the Solstice, the 25^th of December. The date symbolizes a time of reflection, of defense against the rigors of winter, of parsimony, of reuniting energies for the labour of spring. As inheritor of these traditions, Freemasonry spares its energies for the works that lay ahead of it, a new Master in the chair, a new team of officers, new plans for the future. As one may foresee what the future would bring us is not certain or taken by granted; it needs many hands to raise a building, several efforts to grow a tree and even many efforts to write a book. The construction of the inner Temple is an individual enterprise but the fulfillment of the Egregora is much more demanding. In life always exists those who succeed and those who fail. We are not alone in the Universe; we depend on each-other, giving hands and strengthening our spirits. But adversity happens, waiting for us, whatever we like it or not. Aristotle said that some people were born to lead and others to obey. Some overstatement exists in that affirmation but any human enterprise needs a leader and a team to show the way ahead. Almost two decades passed since a bunch of visionaries aim to create a regular Craft on Portugal and succeed, after difficult struggles, and a lack of support in the ranks of universal freemasonry. A couple of doors opened to their passage and few Obediences were present to recognize them as its equals but they finally succeed with perseverance and sweat. As the gallery of portraits is embellished with a new face it is important to remember the past in order that we may bet on the future.  

Portuguese new Grand Master installed in the chair.

The official site of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal reports on the most recent installation of the Most Respectful Brother José Francisco Moreno as the new Grand Master of the Portuguese Craft. A meaningful group of High Individualities were also present in the session that coincide with the general meeting of the Interamerican Masonic Confederation that was held in Lisbon. No photos of the session and the Grand Master were posted but it is expected that some may be available soon in the site of GLLP (http://www.gllp.pt/). Below an ad-hoc translation of the report of the event.

During the session of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal that was held on the Equinox of Autumn, at a hotel in central Lisbon on the 25th September 25, 2010, the Grand Master José Francisco Moreno was installed in the Chair, for a two-year term. The session was attended by about four hundred masons of GLLP / GLRP. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the High Degrees (additional degrees) practiced in Portugal, namely the Rite of York, the Scottish Rectified Rite and Ancient and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and also by the Secretary of the Interamerican Masonic Confederation and Grand Officers of 25 Regular Obediences, 13 of them represented by their Grand Masters.
The Grand Masters of the United Grand Lodge of Germany, the Grand Orient of Italy, the Grand Orient of Brazil, the Gran Logia de Uruguay, the Gran Logia de Argentina, the Grand Logia de Paraguay, the Gran Logia de Peru, the Gran Logia de Espana, the Gran Logia de Bolivia, the Grand Lodge of the Ivory Coast, the Grand Lodge of Russia, the Grand Lodge of Estonia and the Grand Lodge of Mozambique Were also present . Twelve Crafts were represented by their Deputy-Grand Masters, Grand Secretaries and other Grand Officials: United Grand Lodge of England, the Grande Loge Nationale Française, the Grand Lodge of Austria, the Swiss Grand Lodge Alpina, Gran Logia de Chile, Grand Lodge of Belgium, the Grand Lodge of Gabon, the Grand Lodge of Croatia, the Grand Lodge of Moldova, the Grand Lodge of Morocco, the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria and the Grand Lodge of Cyprus.

The Grand Master Installer of the new Grand Master was the recent Past-Master Martin Guia, which was assisted by the following Grand Officers Installer: Installer Senior Warden, Grand Master General of the Grand Orient of Brazil, Installer Junior Warden, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mozambique; Marshall, the Grand Official representative of the Grande Loge Nationale Française, Inner Guard, Deputy-Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Gabon.

New Grand Master in the Chair

The Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal has from now on a new Grand Master, M:.R:.Bro:. José Moreno, 57 years old, lawyer and entrepreneur (third from the left). It its the seventh Master in the Solomon Chair what says much about the expectations its nomination raises within the Portuguese Brotherhood.

From Macao, the Brethren of Luz do Oriente salute Brother José and wish him the best luck and achievements for the sake of Portuguese Freemasonry and Regular Freemasonry in general. It is the second jurist to be appointed to the chair and its curriculum as Grand Official (of different rites and allegiances) exhibts its large experience and its high-rank profile. He is a York Rite Freemason and a former High Priest of the Royal Arc for Portugal. He was a co-founder of the District of Portugal of the Grand Lodge Nationale Française, the Mother Grand Lodge of Portuguese Regular Freemasonry.

José Moreno, new Grand Master of GLLP/GLRP

According with the blog A Partir Pedra the M:.R:. Brother José Moreno collected the most votes casted in an electoral session that took place, yesterday, in Lisbon. Bro:. José Moreno is the six Grand Master of contemporary Portuguese regular freemasonry and an effective member of Lodge Mestre Affonso Domingues where he was initiated in 1992. He is a lawyer by profession, is fifty six years old and has a remarkable Masonic career, as High Priest of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter for Portugal (http://www.yorkportugal.com/capt/index.php) and recently Deputy-Grand Master of the M:.R:. G:.M:. Bro:. Mario Martin Guia, among several important functions. He will be the second jurist to occupy the chair of Solomon in our Craft. 

20 Years of the R:.L:. Affonso Domingues

At the next 30th June, 19:00, at Grémio Literário, Rua Ivens, n.º 37, in downtown Lisbon a book commemorating the 20th anniversary of our Brethren of the R:.L:. Affonso Domingues is to be presented to the masonic community and the public. It is a rare occasion to distinguish the major contribution this Respectful Lodge and its prestigious group of officers has made along these two decades to the consolidation of Regular Freemasonry, in Portugal. The consecration of this founding Lodge of our Obedience was performed by Brethren of the Grand Loge Nationale Française, the mother Obedience of the first Regular Portuguese Freemasons. It is symbolic but full of history, remembering a time when all doors seem to be closed after the knocking of our Founding Fathers, at the West Gate of the Craft. Is always good to remember the little steps of our beginnings and who were our friends as time normally devalorize and relativize. Our Brother Jose Ruah is making the call to direct the requests to a POBox address of the Portuguese Post Office (Apartado 22777 - EC Socorro- 1147-501 Lisboa or mestreaffonsodomingues@gmail.com.  Don't be late. Just forgetting the price is 14 E. 

Delegation of the Grande Legal Lodge of Portugal is received by Prof. Cavaco Silva

M:.R:.G:.M:. Mário Martim Guia, the R:.Deputy Grand Master, Bro:. Julio Meirinhos, the R:.Assistant of the Grand Master, Bro:. Falcão and other Grand Officials of the Grand Lodge with the President of the Republic.

GLLP in NationMaster Encyclopedia

In the tough area of Masonic Recognition it is always good to be quoted in quite precise terms. So it does the Nation Master Encyclopedia regarding our Grand Lodge and Luz do Oriente is happy to reproduce it here, for the delight and information of our visitors. 

The Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal was created under a warrant from the Grande Loge Nationale Française by Decrees 762 and 763 of June 29, 1991. It was incorporated as a civil association under Portuguese law some days afterwards, on July 15, 1991, on the official books of the 3rd Public Notary of Lisbon.
History

Freemasonry in Portugal has had a turbulent history, since it was first introduced by the Premier Grand Lodge of England in 1800. In 1743 John Coustos and two other members of his lodge were arrested by the inquisition and questioned under torture. His book detailing his sufferings under the inquisition has been an important source work of early ritual Masonic practice. The history continues with Bro. Da Costa who also arrested by the Inquisition because of his Masonic activities, but escaped and fled to London in 1805, where he joined the Lodge of Antiquity.

In the 1980s the National Grand Lodge of France set up to number of Lodges in Portugal and in 1989 English Freemasonry returned with the warranting of the Prince Henry the Navigator Lodge. In 1991 the National Grand Lodge of France constituted its district in Portugal into The Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal.

Recognition and Schism
Regularity is a constitutional mechanism by which Grand Lodges (or Grand Orients) give one another mutual recognition. This recognition allows formal interaction at the Grand Lodge level, and gives individual Freemasons the opportunity to attend meetings at Lodges in other recognized jurisdictions. Conversely, regularity proscribes interaction with Lodges that are irregular.

Grand Lodges that afford mutual recognition and allow inter-visitations are said to be in amity. Regularity as far as the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) Constitution is concerned, is based around a number of Landmarks, set down in their constitution and the constitutions of those Grand Lodges with which they are in amity. Even within this definition there are some variations with the quantity and content of the Landmarks from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Other Masonic groups organise differently. However, even without formal recognition of regularity, some Grand Lodges continue informal relations.
The Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal was recognized, by a letter from the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) on March 12, 1992; and hence by almost all other regular Grand Lodges all over the world.

UGLE ceased to include the "GLRP" as a Grand Lodge, as a result its internal schism, in 1996.
Two bodies currently claim to be the regular Masonic Authority for Portugal. UGLE recognizes the body styled the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal (Legal), Grande Loja Legal de Portugal (GLRP) and provides a link to this Grand Lodge, (as GLLP) on the UGLE website. The body styled Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal, Grande Loja de Portugal (GLRP) also has a website.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Grande-Loja-Regular-de-Portugal

Anniversary

Today, the 29Th June, passes the 18Th anniversary of the consecration of the Grand Lodge Regular of Portugal by the Grand Loge National Française. In this day, Portuguese freemasonry has returned to the pathway of regularity abandoned by the Grande Oriente Lusitano in 1804.
Our Brother A:.B:. of Respectful Lodge Affonso Domingues gives, here, a very detailed insight of the circumstances that kept Portuguese freemasonry away from the ranks of regularity and the role that our M:.R:. Grand Master Fernando Teixeira and Adao da Silva and Oliveira Marques from the Grande Oriente Lusitano had in the events [click] that led to international recognition. Our Brother A:.B:. is a swiss native and has become member of our Craft being its efforts to Portuguese Freemasonry recognized with the Diploma of Official of the Order GENERAL GOMES FREIRE DE ANDRADE, the most important Masonic insignia.

Grand Lodge meets

Our Grand Lodge meets for the gathering of the Summer Solstice. The time is probably of balance of what our Craft has achieved during the Masonic Year with a new Lodge raising columns in presumably conditions of adversity that were not confirmed, and a new breed of Brethren coming to the ranks in the continent, in the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and Azores and also in the emigrated communities. Our dearest M:.R:. Grand Master would have the chance to raise expectations and make appeals to modesty and humbleness. This is the proper path to solidify our project out from the flashes of the cameras and the episodic declarations of some who look in freemasonry other then a pathway to work, struggle, labour, perfection and endeavor. We are stubborn to insist that ours is the proper pathway for the Royal Art. May God, the GAOTU enlighten us in our works and enlighten Martin Guia to lead us.

Reflecting on Freemasonry and the Holy Grail.

Just assisting to one Masonic ceremony one of these days I noticed the explosion of emotions and expectations that gather those 30 Men during the three hours that it lasted. The concentration was amazing and the sense of authenticity they assert to what they were doing when they perform freemasonry like they did was remarkable. They were not parrots citing rituals like I have see others doing, they never acted as cyborgs, they just enjoy practicing freemasonry as a new dimension of living together, a lasting moment that kept its aroma, its energy, its melody, as a chain of Brotherly Love of free Men of good report. And when they left to their personal lives I couldn't prevent from asking myself what extraordinary sentiment keep these men together, after a tough day work; rushing themselves to a house they name Temple; working as the Crafters of the Churches before them; or gathering as the knights of King David around a roundtable for the Glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe and the struggle for the Good. Extraordinary treasure they cherish that led them to return again and again to that special place. A treasure that some pretentious experts talk about without having even a glimpse of what really unite them and free their souls. 

What is the Grail of Freemasonry? Brotherly Love, Hope and Faith.

Thanks Brethren of R:.L:. Marquis Pombal of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal [Regular].  

Grão-Mestre

Mário Martin Guia, Most Respectful Grand Master of the Grand Legal Lodge of Portugal was reelected this last sunday for a second term as Grand Master of the Portuguese Obedience. The Portuguese freemasonry strengths its role within Universal Freemasonry and see new blood arriving to its ranks. Brother Martin Guia is a precious asset in the respect Portuguese Freemasonry is getting in the masonic world. Its leadership and wisdom will guide us to new achievements in the construction of the inner temple and the outer temple. To become Freemason is an act of faith in the capacity of Human beings to overcome their passions, their most tenebrous instincts and turn every man better man. By doing so Freemasonry help the world to become a better place. This is made in several fronts: in solidarity and helping the poor and those in need; to assist the victims in such deadly cataclysms such as the tsunami or the Sichuan earthquake, or the hunger in Africa; or struggling for a larger and effective respect of human dignity and human rights. Freemasonry is everywhere doing its job without asking anything in return. Doing the good for the good. 

Freemasonry, Society and Politics in debate

The Municipal Archive of Seia, a town located on the basement of Serra da Estrela [at the centre of Portugal], has gather several distinguished speakers to discuss the interrelations between three realities: freemasonry, society and politics. The event – the XI Historical Lectures of Seia – has taken place between, 16 and 17th November, in Seia and has brought together António Reis [Grand Master of GOL], Salvato Telles de Meneses, António Lopes [director of the Masonic Museum], António Arnault [past-Grand Master of GOL], Maria Belo [Founder of the GLF], Alfredo Caldeira [Mário Soares Foundation], Feliciana Ferreira [Grand Master of GLF], Mário Martim Guia [Grand Master of GLLP], António Ventura [Universidade Nova de Lisboa] and Frei Bento Domingues [Franciscan and Theologian]. Divided by different panels, the speakers went through interesting themes such as “The origins of Freemasonry”, “Freemasonry on the triumph of Liberalism”, “Freemasonry and Politics”, “Political effects of Female Freemasonry activities”, “Freemasonry before and after “Estado Novo”, “Freemasonry in the Grande Oriente Lusitano”, “Female Freemasonry”, “Regular Freemasonry” and “Freemasonry and the religious question”. The last lecture was made by António Arnault and devoted to the topic “Freemasonry and Human Rights”. The event that brought together the three top Masonic Obediences in Portugal is a benchmark in the dialogue that needs to be achieved between freemasons, whatever their allegiances and creeds. It is urgent to bring to light the contribution Freemasonry has made to Portuguese contemporary history, but also the role it has still to perform in free but somehow passive societies, like ours. A society where materialism, rough competition and blend consumism make the trends of collective and appraised success and where spiritualism, solidarity and brotherhood are turned into somehow outdated and old-fashioned notions. Conducting to the results we all assist, everyday.