A Comment by Bro Ben Apacible on GLP GM's Circular 14

"Yesterday, I received and, with great sadness, read MW Jaime Y. Gonzales’ Circular No. 14 which discourages or prohibits members of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines from attending the “NO HOST FELLOWSHIP-BRETHREN ALL” scheduled on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the Intramuros Golf Club.

He pointed out that “the ‘other Grand Jurisdictions’ referred to in the invitation may include the previously declared clandestine Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI), and the ‘brethren of other Grand Jurisdictions’ alluded thereto also may cover those who have already been declared clandestine masons by our Grand Lodge. Thus, the members of our Grand Jurisdiction may be exposed to clandestine masons and lodges”.

When the idea of this “NO HOST FELLOWSHIP” was conceptualized, the purpose was “to ‘MEET ON THE LEVEL’ and practice in and out of their respective Lodges and Grand Jurisdictions ‘BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, TRUTH, LIBERTY, EQUALITY, and FRATERNITY’” and to look forward for a more meaningful Masonic year.

The aim was to promote harmony among the brethren irrespective of Grand Jurisdictions, which is one of the basic goals of the Fraternity. Thus the invitation is open to all Brethren including those from our Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, the Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas, the Soberana Grand Logia del Archipelago Filipinas, unaffiliated brethren from other Grand Lodges, and yes, the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. Several have already communicated their intention to attend.

I strongly adhere to the “Fundamental Law of Universal Freemasonry” which is aptly defined in the opening paragraph of our Old Charges as follows:

“The constant and strict respect of this tradition, despite the diversity of nature of the Grand Lodges or the various countries, despite the variety of the Lodges composing them, despite the particular tendencies of the Brethren of all races, all nationalities, all faiths and all opinions composing them, ensure it universal character to the Masonic Order and allows all Free-Masons to recognize each other as Brethren. These traditional rules are our cement and our bond. They are both a moral and practical nature. They set the broad outlines for the life of Grand Lodges and Lodges, and prescribe to all our Brethren intangible moral imperatives. They maintain the framework of Masonic work, perpetual quest for freedom and justice, sheltered from any religious and political quarrel. They allow Free-Masonry to constitute that true Center of Union where meet, fraternally, men who without it would have perpetually remained strangers to each other”.

The “No Host Fellowship” is not intended to discuss the rituals, principles, affairs, conflicts, and other concerns of the Brethren’s respective Grand or Subordinate Lodges. It is contemplated only to be a gathering of friends and brothers. Hence, there will be no Masonic intercourse.

It is neither a Lodge nor Masonic District meeting, for which reasons the prohibitions cited in the Circular will not apply. The Most Worshipful Grand Master, I most respectfully believe, should have nothing to fear that we will violate any of our Masonic charges and obligations. What we contemplate to do is to practice the true universality of Masonry, according to the Old Charges, as well as the virtues and morals of tolerance and brotherly love, with which we are inculcated in our Lodges.

Allow me to quote Illustrious Albert Pike who said, citing Illustrious Philippe Dupin:

“Can it be truly said that … Masonry has performed its mission, when in its bosom men see restored to life and activity again, one of those very monsters, to wage war against and overthrow which was its chief purpose. I mean INTOLERANCE. Have we not seen one branch of the great Masonic Family proscribe another, and launch against it anathemas, seek to close against it all the Temples, shun its members as if accursed with pestilence, command the places to be purified, where their feet had trodden, and practices as well as by opinions, bring back the times of superstition, prosecution and intolerance? So that, while in the outer world the Protestant lives in peace by the side of the Catholic, or Israelite; when the old religions have laid down the arms with which they have long warred against each other, Masonry still sets the example of that impious strife of Brother against Brother! … Let us incessantly repeat … that the work which Masonry has to do will never be ended, so long as there remains a Truth to be defended, and error to be combated, an ignorant man to be instructed, an unfortunate to be assisted, or a Brother to be loved. He who professes these maxims is a regular Mason. He who holds other doctrines is but a spurious Brother.”

Freemasonry is not a fountain, giving health and beauty to a single Lodge or Grand Lodge, and quenching the thirst only of those dwelling near it. Freemasonry is a mighty stream, penetrating though every hill and mountain, and gliding through every field and valley of the earth, bearing in its beneficent bosom the abundant waters of understanding and tolerance to all those who leave without its Circle and love and charity for all people of every land.

With these thoughts, I will be present in the “No Host Fellowship – Brethren All” on March 13, 2008, and continue to support future endeavors of the same nature, if only to contribute to the harmony of the Craft throughout the world and leave a legacy to future Filipino Masons that I have done my part to prove to the world that Masons, irregardless of Grand Jurisdiction, can “MEET ON THE LEVEL” and in “HARMONY” and that truly ”Masonry is the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God”.

May the GAOTU continue to bless and guide all Masons withersoever dispersed."

Bro. Ben Apacible, PM, PDDGM
Kalilayan Lodge No. 37, Lucena City
Araw Lodge No. 18, Manila
Grand Lodge of the Philippines