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International Update
by Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33˚, Grand Chancellor
It is safe to say that the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, your Scottish Rite, is among the most active and proactive Supreme Councils in the world. Around the globe, other Supreme Councils hold us and the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States in high regard.
There are two constitutions known worldwide—the Constitutions of 1762 and 1786—and all recognized Supreme Councils follow one of these Grand Constitutions of the Scottish Rite. Adhering to one of these is the first step in establishing amity between their Supreme Council and ours.
The terms used most frequently to describe the relationship between the majority of Supreme Councils are amity and recognition. Amity is defined in the World Dictionary as “a friendly relationship.” Recognition is “the acknowledgment of something as valid or as entitled to consideration.” From a Masonic perspective, these two words can be used interchangeably.
Our Supreme Council is in amity with, or recognizes, seventy-two Supreme Councils around the world. Some countries have more than one Supreme Council, but it is most likely that we only recognize one Supreme Council in a country. To be considered for amity with our Supreme Council, an international Supreme Council must adhere strictly to the ancient Constitutions.
In recent months, we have recognized the Supreme Councils of Andorra, Monaco, Bulgaria, France, Benin, and Mauritius. In some of these cases, they are Supreme Councils that have existed for some time. Others are new. The only way a new Supreme Council can be created is by two or more recognized Supreme Councils “consecrating” the new Council. Typically, newly consecrated Supreme Councils begin with a limited number of members and adopt an acceptable constitution. Then, they would usually reach out to us or the Southern Jurisdiction to begin the process of establishing recognition. It stands, without question, that our Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill. Brother David Glattly, is extremely highly regarded within the international Scottish Rite world. The same can be said for Commander James D. Cole of the Southern Jurisdiction. We have a tremendous fraternal relationship with the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, and we meet with them regularly to discuss international and recognition issues as they arise.
Keeping the lines of communication open is vital to maintaining good relationships. The communication with our Supreme Councils in amity is coordinated by our Grand Chancellor and Sovereign Grand Commander with the support of our Fraternal Relations Committee. Each of our Supreme Councils around the world has a Grand Representative assigned from among our Active Members who assists in keeping a good relationship with our international brothers—always with the aim of strengthening the worldwide brotherhood of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
