Freemasonry Universal

In response to recent questions posed to this Grand Lodge on However, the concept of universality is not only an international the qualications and eligibility of men seeking membership in paradigm. It enjoys equal importance in our welcoming of men our constituent Lodges, we oer this statement of unwavering whose varied backgrounds and practices in their private and proprinciples: Admission to membership in our lodges is extended fessional lives would normally keep them at a perpetual distance. to men of faith based upon their personal merit and good chare diversity of our membership, in terms of race, creed, sexual acter, without reference to race, creed, sexual orientation, specic orientation, specic religion and national origin is thus seen as an religion or national origin. asset, rather than a liability. Civility and kindness is the rule for all of home – wherever that home may be. interaction, thus discuse Grand Lodge of the sions of politics, religion District of Columbia dedand business are prohibicates itself to the diversity of the brotherhood of Admission to membership ited in the Lodge room. In this way, we hold that men who practice and study the initiatory rites in our lodges is extended men become brothers by leaving divisions at the and deep symbolism of Freemasonry in an eort to men of faith based door, and taking strength from a shared appreto make ourselves better men – socially, morally upon their personal merit ciation of the common aspirations of all men for and intellectually. Our Grand Lodge is a society and good character, their own betterment, and for improving themof men who use singlegendered camaraderie without reference to race, selves through service as respected members and fellowship to provide motivation and drive creed, sexual orientation, of their communities, despite their outward diffor self-improvement, especially in the practice specific religion or ferences. of our key aspirations: brotherly love, relief and national origin. Our dedication to diversity was not born in truth. Washington, DC. Worlde universality of our practice from the days of practice is reected in the broad range of backgrounds to Anderson’s Constitutions clearly disfavors the exclusion of be found here. Lodges here not only work in men based upon modes of belief, backgrounds or bold men based upon modes of belief, backgrounds or bold English, but in French, Spanish, German, lifestyles that enjoy legal protection in their societies. lifestyles that enjoy legal protection in their societies. Italian, Farsi, Turkish and Armenian. Our erefore, today we say, “Any man can be a D.C. erefore, today we say, “Any man can be a D.C. membership hails from every continent and Freemason, but not every man can be one.” And represents every race and creed, as well as a our tradition of over ve hundred years of inclubroad range of national origins. Masonic visision continues to patiently await those with tors to this international city nd unparalleled the imagination, will and energy to dedicate opportunities to visit a Lodge that reminds them themselves to the elevation of the human race. wide Masonic law and PROMULGATED BY ORDER OF THE GRAND MASTER, JEFFERY D. RUSSELL, THIS 11TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2015. 