Standard of Recognition

In mid January 2006, the Grand Lodge of Greece (GLG) installed the officers of Grand Lodge of Cyprus which was formed from six Lodges warranted by GLG. Alluding to the CGMMNA's Standards of Recognition No. 2, "Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction," the new Grand Lodge was found by the Commission as "generally meets the standards of recognition." The issue was that United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) has a District Grand Lodge, "has been present in Cyprus since 1888" and does not recognize the "Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction" over its warranted Lodges which apparently did not joined with the new Grand Lodge.

Notwithstanding the identity issue whether its IGLPI or UGLP, the Commission found the recently formed Grand Lodge not meeting the standard while the Grand Lodge of Cyprus does, despite of the glaring violation of their "strictly observed" standard of recognition. Taking the Prince Hall Grand Lodges recognition issue, this Commission finds it agreeable to have two Grand Lodges within a state or country as long as both agree to share the jurisdiction. It is also the opinion of this Commission that a Grand Lodge can be established as "regular" even the there were no sharing agreement with existing Grand Lodge as in the case with Grand Lodge of Cyprus and UGLE.

Likewise, it is the opinion of this confused writer that if it looks, walks and sounds like a duck, it must be a duck. It should not matter whatever is the color of the feather, white, black or brown.

Standard of Recognition.

F/
RmOlano
Hanford Lodge No. 279
Grand Lodge of CA (F&AM)