Information sur C L I P S A S

Historique
Clipsas a été constitué le 22 janvier 1961 à l'appel du Grand Orient de Belgique et du Grand Orient de France qui, émus par l'intransigeance croissante et les exclusives de plus en plus tyranniques de certaines Obédiences, convinrent de lancer un appel à toutes les Maçonneries du monde afin de les réunir dans le respect de leur souveraineté, de leurs rites et de leurs symboles en une vaste et véritable chaîne d'Union Universelle

Les Loges de certaines Obédiences, membre du Clipsas, ouvrent la bible durant leurs travaux et placent ceux-ci sous l'égide du Grand Architecte de l'Univers, d'autres ne le font pas.

Toutefois, il y a lieu de préciser que le Clipsas n'est ni une institution maçonnique structurée, ni une super-obédience édictant des décrets, donnant des directives. Selon le vœu des fondateurs, il est pierre angulaire d'une Union Fraternelle des Francs-Maçons qui considèrent que la liberté de conscience est la plus grande victoire de l'humanité sur elle-même et que, loin d'être un facteur de désunion, elle conduit, grâce à la libre confrontation des opinions, à la suppression de toutes les barrières. C'est pourquoi, très rapidement, les obédiences membres du Clipsas ont ressenti la nécessité de dépasser le stade des relations officielles pour entreprendre en commun l'étude des problèmes qui déterminent l'avenir de l'homme.

Dans ce dessein. Elles se réunissent deux fois par an et inscrivent à l'ordre du jour de leurs travaux non seulement les problèmes maçonniques qui concernent tant leur pays respectif que l'Europe ou les autres parties du globe, mai aussi les sujets qui préoccupent le monde moderne, prouvant ainsi que de telles études aux aspects politiques, loin de diviser les membres des loges et par là les Obédiences, aboutissent à des synthèses constructives.
 

Les puissances maçonniques souveraines réunies à Strasbourg le 22 janvier 1961

Considérant 

1.Qu'il est impérieux de rétablir entre tous les Francs-Maçons la Chaîne d'Union rompue par de regrettables exclusives contraires aux principes des constitutions d'Anderson de 1723. 

1.Qu'il importe à cet effet de rechercher en commun en tenant compte de toutes les traditions, de tous les rites, de tous les symboles, de toutes les croyances et dans le respect de la liberté absolue de conscience, les conditions qui déterminent la qualité d'un Franc-Maçon.

Estiment 

Que le fait de placer les travaux sous l'invocation du Grand Architecte de l'Univers et d'exiger qu'une des trois lumières soit le livre sacré d'une religion doit être laissé à l'appréciation de chaque Loge et de chaque Obédience.

Décident et déclarent

D'établir entre elles des relations fraternelles et d'ouvrir les portes de leurs Temples, sans condition de réciprocité, à tout Franc-Maçon ou Franc-Maçonne ayant reçu la lumière dans une Loge juste et parfaite à conditions que la spécificité maçonnique de la Loge ou de l'Obédience permette ses visites.

Font appel

À tous les Francs-Maçons pour qu'ils se joignent à cette Chaîne d'Union fondée sur une totale liberté de conscience et une parfaite tolérance mutuelle. 

Représentation des Obédiences

Les Obédiences sont représentées par leur Grand Maître parmi lesquels sont élus pour trois ans le Président, les cinq vice-présidents, le Rapporteur Général, le tréso-rier et le secrétaire général.
 

PRESIDENT Marc-Antoine CAUCHIE (Grand Orient de Luxembourg) 
EX-PRESIDENT Javier Otaola  (Gran Logia Simbólica Española) 
1e VICE-PRESIDENT Humberto MURSULI (Ser:. Gran Logia de Lengua Espanola)
2e VICE-PRESIDENT Gabriel LOHOURY GUGUI (Grande Ehurnie)
3e VICE-PRESIDENTE & Roberta GALLI TRESORIERE (Gran Loggia d'Italia degli A..L.A..M.)
4e VICE-PRESIDENT Elie DAMOUNI (Grande Loge Nationale du Canada)
5e VICE-PRESIDENT Dimitri LEVANTIS (Ser:. Gran Oriente de Grecia)
RAPPORTEUR GENERAL Luis DALY (Omega Grand Lodge of the State of New York)

MEMBRES:

Peter Dusek (Grossorient von Ôsterreich)
Adnan A. BAYOUN  (The Grand Masonic Lodge for Arab Countries) 
Hans MOLLER LARSEN (Grand Lodge of Denmark)
Edgar Martinez Masdeu (Gran Logia Nacional de Puerto Rico)
Jean-Louis Petit (George Washington Union)
Jose Rafael Martinez Gamboa (Gran Logia de la Repûblica de Venezuela)
Emile RABEMANANTSOA (Grand Rite Malgache)
Roosevelt GREEN (Omega Grand Lodge)
Marcel DOBILL  (Grands Orient & Loge Unis du Cameroun) 
Claude KINDAMBU LUPAMANE (Grand Orient du Con go)
(Grande Loge Féminine de Belgique)
Bob VANDENBOSCH Nederlandse Grootloge der Gemengde Vrijmetselarij (Grande Loge Mixte des Pays Bas)
(Dutch Co-Masonry Grandlodge) 
(Niederlaendische Grossloge der gemischte Freimaurerei)
Eugérno Oscar Filipe de OLIVEIRA (Grande Oriente Lusitano) 
Bernard Civil (Grande Loge Haïtienne de St. Jean)
Yvonne RAPER (The Order of Ancient Freemasonry Men & Women)
Bertholand EDOUARD (Grande Loge d 'Haiti)
Ingrid MAJER (Universaler Freimaurerorden "Humanitas')
Rolando MOYA TASQUER (Gran Oriente Latino Americano)
Mouritalabi OLATOUNDJI (Grand Bénin de la République du Bénin)
Helga Schichtl (GrossLoge Humanitas Austria)
Gabriel NZAMBILA  (Grands Orient & Loge Associés du Congo)
Murat Ozgen Ayfer Grande Loge Maçonnique de Turquie)
Diego Lagomarsino (Gran Logia Mixta de Chile)
Martine FAIVRE-GOLD (Grande Loge Féminine de Memphis-Misraïm)
George DUBOIS (Grande Loge Suisse de Memphis-Misraïm)
Daxie-Isse PUENTES (Gran Logia Mixta de Lengua Espanola)
Nancy MUNOZ MIRANDA (Gran Logia Femenina de Chile)
Gabriella Bagnolesi (Gran Loggia Massonica Femminile d'Italia)
Jefferson Scheer (Grande Loja Unida do Panana)
Serge Tondu (Grande Loge de la Caraïbe)
Victor vite Martinez (Gran Oriente de México)
Jacyntho Fernandes Dutra (Gran Oriente Nacional "Gloria do Ocidente" do Brasil)

Considering 
that it is imperative to re-establish between all Freemasons of the 
that it is important to this end to investigate together the conditions 
Esteem 
that the fact of placing business under the invocation of the Great 
Decide and Declare 
to establish among them fraternal relations and to open the doors of 
Call upon 
all Freemasons to join this Chain of Union founded under total freedom 

The following is from email that was posted on a Masonic email group:
CLIPSAS and SIMPA - A Brief Description

CLIPSAS stands for "Centre of Liaison and Information of Masonic Powers,  Signatories to the Appeal of Strasbourg".

On January 22, 1961, the Appeal of Strasbourg was signed by 11 Masonic jurisdictions from 10 different countries. The Appeal is based on absolute freedom of conscience, and seeks to include all Masons and Lodges in its chain of brotherly/sisterly recognition.

The basis of all Masonic work is mutual recognition of freedom of conscience and complete tolerance between Lodges. All signatories to the Appeal accepted that dif-ferences in tradition, ritual, symbols, belief, gender, etc., are positive and an expression of the richness of Masonry. Each jurisdiction may understand Anderson's Constitutions of 1723 in its own way, but this should not be used as an argument and proof of its own regularity.

The signatories also outlined what should define a properly and duly constituted Lod-ge (although this is not restrictive, nor is it necessarily complete):

• a minimum of seven members - three to guide, five to enlighten, seven to make it perfect and rightful;
• works a ritual that uses the symbols of stonemasons;
• works in a Lodge consisting of J+B, three great lights (the Square and Compass; a VSL is left to the discretion of each Lodge), the tools of the degree and the Mosaic Pavement;
• works the three blue degrees; entering, passing and raising the sister or brother.

A Mason is a sister or brother who has been entered in a rightful lodge.

SIMPA

Over the years disappointment [over what?] grew between the French-speaking ju-risdictions and the rest of CLIPSAS, which culminated in the departure of a number of members (especially the strong French and Belgian jurisdictions). Along with other jurisdictions (many of whom are still members of CLIPSAS) they founded, on De-cember 26, 1998, SIMPA - Secretariat International of Masonic Powers Adogmatic (or ISAMP in English).

There is very little difference between the principles of CLIPSAS and SIMPA. The only organisational difference is that SIMPA is purely secretarial, headed - at two-year intervals - by one of its 25 jurisdictions.

As to what CLIPSAS and SIMPA are, here is a brief description.

C.L.I.P.S.A.S. stands for 'Centre of Liaison and Information of masonic Powers Signatories to the Appeal of Strassbourg. On January 22nd 1961 the Appeal of Strassbourg was elaborated by 11 jurisdiction from 10 different countries based on absolute freedom of conscience and with the intention to include all Masons and lodges in this chain of brotherly/sisterly recognition. The basis of each Masonic work is mutual recognition of freedom of conscience and complete tolerance between lodges. All members accepted that differences in tradition, ritual, symbols, belief, gender, etc are positive and an expression of the richness of Masonry. Each jurisdiction may understand Anderson's Constitution of 1723 in its own way, but this should not be used as an  argument and proof of their own regularity. They also defined how a properly and duly constituted lodge has to have (this is not restrictive and in now way complete) - minimum 7 members, 3 guiding, 5 enlightening, 7 to make it perfect and rightful
- works a ritual which uses the symbols of stonemasons 
- works in a lodge consisting of J + B, 3 great lights (Square, Compass, a VSL is left to the discretion of each lodge), the tools of the degree,and the Mosaic Pavement
- the lodge works the 3 blue degrees, enters - passes - raises the sister/brother 
- a Mason is a sister/brother who was entered in a rightful lodge

S.I.M.P.A.

Over the years there was growing disappointment between the French-speaking ju-risdictions and the rest of CLIPSAS, which finally cumulated in the departure of a number of jurisdiction (especially the strong French and Belgian ones) and together with other jurisdiction (many of whom are still members of CLIPSAS) they founded, on 26th December 1998 S.I.M.P.A. Secretariat International of Masonic Powers A-dogmatic (or I.S.A.M.P. in English)

There is in fact very little difference between the principles of CLIPSAS and SIMPA. The only organisational difference is, that SIMPA is purely secretarial, which is run in two years intervals by one of the 25 jurisdictions which signed the paper.

The following translations were emailed to me from Eva from the GLFF
Communication PR 01/58 by Marc-Antoine Cauchie, President of CLIPSAS Or.of Olm, 
28 March 2001 
To the Grand Masters/Grand Mistresses of Member Obediences. Please find herewith the Agenda of the next General Assembly which will take place in Istanbul on the 25th and 26th of May 2001, starting on the 25th at  9.00 a.m. with the CLIPSAS Conference. 
The General Assembly is scheduled to start on the second day, but if the Conference finishes early on the first day, we shall take advantage of the presence of interpreters to begin the General Assembly on 25th. 
On Sunday the 27th, the Grande Loge Libérale of Turkey will organise the closing Meeting on the occasion of its 35th anniversary as well as the 40th anniversary of the Strasburg Union. 
I remind you that I have already given the details of these meetings in my Communication PR 00/70. 
Please urgently confirm your participation to Monsieur Ihlan UCAK (fax: 00.90.212.253.64.39), and particularly your requirements of hotel reservations. 
The topic of this year’s Symposium of is "Fundamentalism and Masonry ". In order to carry out the discussions in the best conditions, I request that you send your contributions for the study of this theme to the General Recorder, the B.. Louis Daly (fax: 00.1.718.720.59.58 and e-mail : TELA@aol.com). 
In addition, the Assembly will have to choose the new theme for the year 2002. I invite you therefore to think about a theme you would wish to treat. 
Finally, for those who have not yet paid their dues for last year, I remind you that in their absence, the right to vote in the General Assembly maybe suspended. 
The dues (124 Euro + 0,5 Euro per member of your Obedience should be sent to : Banca di Roma, Agenzia 642 Roma, with the mention BROMITRF070 CCS 46101/30. 
As a basis for reflection on point 8. of the agenda on the Universal Union Chain, I join the document "Strasburg Union" in order to recall the founding of CLIPSAS. 
Looking forward to seeing many of you in Istanbul, I send you my most fraternal greetings. 

Address for correspondence : 
CLIPSAS 
3, rue des Près, 
L-8393 OLM / LUXEMBOURG.
Marc-Antoine Cauchie
President of CLIPSAS
E- mail : mcauchie@pt.lu 
CLIPSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ISTANBUL - 25 et 26 May 2001 

AGENDA 
  1.Vérification of powers. 
  2.Approval of the Minutes of the General Assembly of April 15, 2000 in Athens. 
  3.Communications by the President. 
  4.Administrative situation. 
  5.Moral Report. 
  6.Financial Report. 
  -Presentation of the 2000/2001 accounts and Report of the Auditors. 
  -Approval of accounts and discharge to the Vice-President Treasurer. 
  7. Admission of new members. 
  - International Masonic Order Delphi. 
  -Grand Mixed Masonic Lodge of Brazil. 
  -Grand Lodge of the Three Stars. 
  8.Universal Union Chain. 
  9. Communication. E-mail and Web site. 
10.Project for the 2001/2002 budget. 
-Presentation and vote of the budget. 
-Method of distributing the dues. Determining the dues. 
11. Administrative simplification of CLIPSAS and alignment of the General Rules. 
12. Examination of new candidates : Grand Central Lodge of Lebanon. 
13. Annual Report of the Obediences. 
14. Summary of the 2001 Conference and choice of theme for the 2002 Conference. 
15. Report on the possibility and opportunity for CLIPSAS to be an observer at the UN. 
16. Election of two Vice-Presidents. 
17.Choice of the place and date of the next General Assembly. 
18.Other. 
 

1. In order to understand the Union and the engagements that bind us, it is necessary to go back to the Minutes of the historic Strasburg Conference of January 22, 1961. 
The title of these first Minutes is without ambiguity: "Information and Liaison Centre of the Masonic Powers Signatory to the Strasburg Appeal". 
It is of the utmost importance that the Founders included in this title the term “appeal” which according to the text, line 19, page 2, designates “the common appeal which characterises the union of the Obediences among themselves and with respect to the outside”. 
No less important, on page 2, lines 3 to 8 : "the G.M. Ravel (France) recalls that each delegation represents its Obedience; the Conference of today is not a meeting of GG.MM. in a personal capacity. The delegations specifically express their agreement with the terms of the proclamation of the G.O. of Belgium and the G.O. of France of November 1960".. 
2. Twelve years after the creation of the Union, the G.M. Zeller, Vice-President of CLIPSAS, in answer to the question whether CLIPSAS pursues the reestablishment of universality, even, should the case arise, with the UGLE, confirms the proclamation of 1960 and the Strasburg Appeal: “There is no principle of exclusivity towards the UGLE. If it takes us as we are, that is enough”. 
3. In another confirmation of the Union, in 1982 the President “welcomes F. Ruffin Green, G.M. of the Omega Grand Lodge which has just entered the Strasburg Union”. 
4. From 1994 on, some GG.MM. wanted to rewrite the Appeal of Strasburg, to eliminate the paragraph "Esteem", the key to the universality decided at Strasburg. 
The third point of the proposition by G.M. Lafouge at Santiago : "A moratorium of three years is decided for the admission of new Grand Lodges, in order to permit a detailed examination of their liberal character and freedom of thought” reflects this will to restrict, that is to say to denounce, the Declaration of Union and the Strasburg Appeal. 

WHY CLIPSAS? 

In 1990, the Strasburg Union was renamed CLIPSAS by President Ragache because “the title of the association is long too, obsolete, and does not state the objective of the group”. This change of denomination must not be interpreted as a modification or the termination of the Strasburg Union. 
The question "Why CLIPSAS?" is identical to "Why the Strasburg Union?". 
1. The answer is to be found in the Proclamation of 1960, approved by all the Obediences, that is to say the restoring of the Union Chain broken by regrettable exclusions and "the edification of a vast universal Masonic gathering, the necessity of which is more imperative than ever": thus all the Grand Lodges members of the Union / CLIPSAS are united. And the registration of the Statues in 1993 with the Prefecture of Paris confers a legal existence on us. 
2. Moreover, this Union of Sovereign Obediences ensures a permanent contact and flow of information. The contact takes place in the General Assemblies and Conferences. 
The information is furnished by the members. Unfortunately, with the development of electronic means, the majority of members no longer feel the need to transmit such information. Though this is regrettable, it cannot be brought to the discredit of the Association. 
CONCLUSION 
In order to restore the Universal Chain of Union broken by regrettable exclusions, the Conference of Strasburg created the Strasburg Union based on the proclamation of 1960. 
Forty years later, the goals of this proclamation and the declaration of Union are still a vital reality. 
Thus, in the discussions of the 2000 CLIPSAS Conference as well as in the General Assembly, the general opinion recognised the unique value of the UNION OF STRASBOURG / CLIPSAS. 

2. PROCLAMATION AND APPEAL OF STRASBOURG 
GENERAL RULES 
PROCLAMATION ADOPTED AT STRASBOURG ON 22 JANVIER 1961 
(text of  the Grand Orient of France and the Grand Orient of Belgium) 
The Signatory Grand Lodges : 
- are honoured by their absolute loyalty to the message of tolerance, fraternity and union contained in Article 1 of Anderson’s Constitutions (1723) and whose respect remains their golden rule. 
- esteem that Freemasonry has as its mission “to join the persons who, without it, would have remained strangers” and that the Freemason must essentially be an element of concord between all men. 
- consider that the essence of Masonry resides in its social ideal of fraternity and duty, and not in the rigid observance of any usage, however traditional, that a spirituality which closely unites man to the future of humanity and to the improvement of its condition, has as much value as that which he can find in his relationship with a supra-natural principle. 
For these Grand Lodges, initiation, philanthropy, spirituality, do not exclude a vocation of humanism and progress; mediation does not exclude action. The respect of rites and of tradition does not exclude: 
- sending a message of tolerance, of fraternity, of union; 
- inspiring men with an individual will of elevation and harmony; 
- offering the young a greater and more generous ideal. 
As the river is only true to its source in flowing to the sea, so a Masonry which refuses to follow human progress would betray the very intention of its founders. By the very way it is progressive, our Masonry, conscious of achieving the generous intentions of our M Anderson in modern scientific society, by its natural prolongation, the complete freedom of thought, admits no limitation to the absolute freedom of conscience. 
The achievement of this ideal necessitates the recognition of all Masons in a mutual harmony where each note conserves its value, and in the respect of the freedom for all. A Masonry which intends to accomplish its mission would not reject any moral values capable of strengthening it. All men, whatever their race, religion, social position, philosophical or political ideals or economic ideas, if they are free and men of integrity, must commune in a same will of union to permit the building of a vast universal Masonic gathering, whose existence is more than ever of vital importance. If exclusions remain, they do not stem from us, and we condemn creating any ourselves. Far from being an obstacle to the Union, we believe that the diversity of moral values constitutes a factor of intellectual and spiritual wealth indispensable to its expansion. 
We are convinced that Masonries which do not admit absolute freedom of conscience are imperfectly enlightened and that it is our duty to aid them in their way towards the Light. Respectful of all traditions, rites, symbols and beliefs, of the absolute freedom of conscience, faithful to the spirit of Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723, believing that each Mason be responsible to freely determine his choice of Rite and the interpretation of symbols, the Signatory Powers call on all Masonries of the World, in order that an unbreakable Union Chain forms between them, which would assure the triumph of the Masonic ideal and lead humanity toward more Beauty and Goodness. 

The Sovereign Masonic Powers gathered in Strasburg on 22 January 1961 
CONSIDERING 
1.that it is imperative to restore among all Freemasons  the Union Chain broken by regrettable exclusions irreconcilable with the principles of Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723 ; 
2.that it is essential to that effect, taking due account all traditions, rites, symbols beliefs, and respecting the absolute freedom of conscience, to join efforts in order to establish the conditions which determine the quality of the Freemason. 
ESTEEM 
that each Lodge and each Obedience ought to be free to decide whether the activities should be placed under the protection of the Great Architect of the Universe, and whether one of the Three Lights should be the Sacred Volume of a revealed religion. 
DECIDE AND DECLARE 
to establish among themselves fraternal relations and to open the doors of their Temples, without condition of reciprocity, to any male or female Freemason who has received the Light in a just and perfect Lodge on condition that the Masonic specificity of the Lodge or the Obedience permits these visits 
APPEAL 
to all Freemasons to join the Union Chain based on total freedom of conscience and complete mutual tolerance. 
GENERAL RULES OF CLIPSAS 
PREAMBLE 
CLIPSAS is an International Masonic Association grouping Obediences having adhered to the Proclamation and the Appeal of Strasburg. Its Statutes are filed at the Prefecture of Paris. 
Each member Obedience retains its sovereignty and CLIPSAS does not claim itself a supra Obedience. 
The basis of CLIPSAS is the Universal Union Chain between its member Obediences. Therefore, CLIPSAS performs a function of liaison, information, communication and reflection. It could participate by contributing to the major philosophical, social and humanitarian problems through United Nations organisations. 
Article 1. Its members are Obediences incorporating at least three Blue Lodges working in the first three Degrees. 
Article 2. The members of a same Continent may establish a Continental Commission whose goals and means they define, respecting the preceding Rule. 
Article 3. Requests for admission must be addressed to the Bureau. Only candidacies of Obediences proving three years of existence at the time the Commission of Inquiry is designated are taken into consideration. 
Article 4. All requests for admission must be accompanied by : 
a) the express adherence and without reservation to the above principles of CLIPSAS and the forming of fraternal relations, without conditions of reciprocity and in the respect of the Masonic specificity of the Obedience; 
b) its Statutes or General Rules ; 
c) a brief history ; 
d) the questionnaire of general information. 
Article 5. The Bureau informs the member Obediences of the request received. 
Article 6. All candidacies are examined by a Commission of Inquiry designated by the General Assembly or, between assemblies, by the Bureau. It is composed, as far as possible, of three Obediences on the same Continent as the applicant and one of whom has its headquarters in the same country. This Commission reports to the General Assembly. It is obliged to consult the member Obediences residing on the national territory of the applicant. 
Member Obediences must notify the President in writing within six months of any opposition to the admission of the candidate Obedience. 
The President informs the other members of this opposition. 
Article 7. All admission, suspension or exclusion is pronounced in General Assembly according to Article 11. Abstentions are not permitted. In the case of rejection by the Assembly, a delay of three years is required before again presenting the candidacy. 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
Article 8. The supreme organ of the Union, the General Assembly (hereinafter “the Assembly”) is constituted of the representatives of the member Obediences. It meets once a year in the first semester, in a location chosen by the preceding Assembly. The Assembly is entitled to pronounce decisions by whatever number of Obediences are present. 
The Assembly can summon extraordinary assemblies. The President must do so if at least one quarter of the Obediences request it. All men and women Masons of member Obediences can be present at Assemblies, but only the representatives of the Obediences have the right to vote. The Assembly may authorise non-member Obediences to be present as observers at all or part of its meetings. 
Article 9. The President communicates the Agenda one month and a half before the Assembly. Members dispose of two weeks to ask the President to enter other items. Except in the case of acknowledged necessity, the assembly may only discuss the questions on the Agenda. 
Article 10. Each Obedience holds : 
1 vote if it has at least 500 members, 
3 votes if it has at least 500 to 1499 members, 
5 votes if it has at least 1500 à 5999 members, 
7 votes if it has more than 6000 members. 
Article 11. The assembly takes its decisions by a double simple majority of votes cast by voting Obediences. 
Article 12. A Obedience may assign a proxy to another member or to the President to represent it at the current Assembly. No one may receive more than two proxies. 
ADMINISTRATION 
Article 13. The Assembly elects a Bureau by secret ballot containing one name only. The Bureau, in which all Continents are represented, is composed of : 
-a President 
-five Vice-Presidents. The Vice-Presidents take precedence, in decreasing order of votes obtained, after those elected previously. 
-a General Recorder. 
There cannot be more than one member of a same Obedience in the above seven offices. 
The most recent past President is a member of the Bureau ès quality. 
To be eligible as President, he or she must be Grand Master or Past Grand Master submitted by his or her Obedience. 
To be eligible for the other offices of the Bureau, one must be Grand Master or designated by one’s Obedience, and having held a national function therein. The candidates pledge to be present at the meetings. 
Article 14. The Bureau’s terms are three years non-renewable, beginning at the end of the Assembly during which the election took place. In the case of the departure of an elected official before the end of his term, the next Assembly proceeds with his replacement for a period of three years.
Article 15. The President heads the meetings of the Assembly and the Bureau. 
He/she is responsible for the carrying out of the decisions taken there and heads the Secretariat. 
Article 16. The Bureau disposes of the power to administer CLIPSAS to the best of its interests defined by the Assembly. It is responsible for making decisions concerning the common interest of the members : 
- to report its work to the Assembly and request the approval of its administration. 
- to close the year-end balance sheet and the budget forecast. 
- to prepare the proposals to be presented to the Assembly. 
The Bureau meets once in the fall and twice at the time of the Assembly. It takes it decisions by majority. In the case of a tie, the President prevails. 
When not in meeting, its members consult with each other. 
Article 17. In the case where the President would not be able to perform his functions, one of the 
Vice-Presidents, in order of their election, assumes the functions of President. 
Article 18. One Vice-President, elected by the Assembly, exercises the function of Treasurer. He is responsible for everything concerning the financial administration, within the limits of the budget voted by the Assembly. 
He keeps a register of receipts and disbursements and the bank statements of CLIPSAS. 
The fiscal year covers the period  from 1 March to the following 28/29 February. 
After approval by the Bureau, the Treasurer presents the financial report of the past financial year with the report of the Auditors. 
The Treasurer may be assisted by a member of his Obedience. 
Article 19. The administrative responsibilities are carried out by the President. 
- He assures the administration of the association. 
- He centralises all documents, and assumes, if necessary, their distribution among the members. 
- He draws up the Agenda and the Minutes of the meetings and distributes them. 
He may be assisted by a member of his Obedience, as General Secretary. 
Article 20. The Assembly elects two Auditors among its members for a period of three years. 
Article 21. No function within CLIPSAS is remunerated. 
DUES 
Article 22. In order to attain the objectives decided by the Assembly, the Obediences pay dues in Euro determined each year by the Assembly. 
Article 23. Dues must be paid before 1 October. In the case of non-payment of dues before the next Assembly, the Obedience is suspended from the right to vote. 
If an Obedience is indebted for more than one exercise, it may be excluded 
The Treasurer is responsible for collecting the dues and making the necessary reminders. 
OTHER 
Article 24. The Assembly may create or dissolve Commissions for specific purposes. They receive a subsidy and keep accounts. Their accounts are closed each year at the end of February and presented to the Bureau, which integrates them into the financial accounts of CLIPSAS. 
Article 25. Any modification of the present rules falls within the competence of an Ordinary Assembly. 

Gran Loggia d'Italia (Founder) 
Grand Orient d'Autriche (Founder) 
Grand Orient de Luxembourg (Founder) 
Serenísima Gran Logia de Lengua Española (Founder) 
The Grand Masonic Lodge for Arab Countries (13-11-1965) 
Grand Lodge of Denmark (25-09-1970) 
Gran Logia Nacional de Puerto Rico (08-02-1976) 
George Washington Union (02-02-1979) 
Gran Logia de la República de Venezuela (14-03-1980) 
Grand Rite Malgache (13-03-1981) 
Omega Grand Lodge of the State of New York (12-03-1982) 
Grands Orient & Loge Unis du Cameroun (12-03-1982) 
Gran Logia Simbólica Española (11-03-1983) 
Grand Orient du Congo (03-03-1984) 
Grande Loge Féminine de Belgique (09-03-1984)
Grande Loge Mixte des Pays-Bas (08-03-1985) 
Grande Oriente Lusitano (08-03-1985) 
Grande Loge Haïtienne de Saint-Jean des Or.d'Outre Mer(08-05-1985) 
Grande Loge de Haïti (15-05-1987) 
Ordre Maçonnique Universel Humanitas (15-05-1987) 
Gran Oriente Latino Americano (15-05-1987) 
Grand Bénin de la République du Bénin( 13-05-1988) 
Grande Loge Humanitas Austria (28-04-1989) 
Grands Orient & Loge Associés du Congo (28-04-1989) 
Grande Loge Libérale de Turquie (28-04-1989) 
Gran Logia Mixta de Chile (10-05-1991) 
Grande Loge Féminine de Memphis-Misraïm (29-05-1992) 
Grande Loge Symbolique Helvetique (29-05-1992) 
Grande Eburnie (29-05-1992) 
Grande Loge Féminine de Turquie (21-05-1993), en sommeil. 
Organización Masónica Mexicana (12-05-1994), en sommeil. 
Gran Logia Feminina de Chile (12-05-1994) 
Gran Loggia Massonica Femminile d'Italia (26-05-1995) 
Grande Loja Unida do Paraná (26-05-1995) 
Séréníssime Grand Orient de Grèce(17-05-1996) 
Grande Loge de la Caraïbe (17-05-1997) 
Gran Oriente de México (17-05-1997) 
Grande Loge Nationale du Canada (17-05-1997) 
Grande Oriente Nacional "Gloria do Occidente" do Brasil (23-05-1998) 
Gran Logia del Norte de Colombia (15-04-2000) 

BUREAU 
President Marc-Antoine CAUCHIE 
Past President Javier OTAOLA BAJENETA 
1er Vice-President Humberto MURSULI 
2e Vice-President Gabriel LOHOURY GUIGUI 
3e Vice-President et Treasurer Roberta GALLI 
4e Vice-President Elie DAMOUNI 
5e Vice-President Dimitri LEVANTIS 
General Recorder Luis DALY 
Auditors Roberta BIANCHI 
Serge TONDU 
General Secretary Marcel FELTEN ( fax : 00.352.458.677) 
BANK ACCOUNTS 
Banca di Roma Agenzia 642 
Cso.Vitt. Emanuele I-00186 Roma ITALIA 
With the mention SWIFT. BROMITRF 70. CC. 46101/30. 
ADRESSES OF THE OBEDIENCES AND NAMES OF THE GRAND MASTERS 
Gran Loggia d'Italia degli A.L.A.M. Centro Sociologico Italiano 
Via San Nicola de' Cesarini nº 3 
Franco FRANCHI I-00186 Roma ITALIA 
Tel.: 00/3906/68.80.58.31 
Fax: 00/3906/687.98.40 
E-mail: gldi@granloggia.it 
Web site:http://www.granloggia.it 
Grossorient von Österreich Terra Hominibus 
Grand Orient d'Autriche 
Peter DUSEK 
Postfach 614 
A-1011 WIEN. AUTRICHE 
E-mail: anselm@fleischmann.at 
Grand Orient de Luxembourg GOL 
Arnaud DECOCK 
B.P. 2136 L 1021 Luxembourg 
GD.DUCHE DE LUXEMBOURG 
Tel.:00/352/312.202 
Fax:00/352/26.30.05.37 
E-mail: adecock@pt.lu 
Serenísima Gran Logia de la Lengua Española para los Estados Unidos 
P.O. Box 421 Times Square Station 
de Norte America 
Humberto MURSULI NY 
New-York. 10036 USA 
Tel.:00/212/245.87.57 
Fax: 00/212/957.63.79 
The Grand Masonic Lodge for Arab Countries 
Mr. Adnan A. Bayoun 
P.O. Box 17071 
Amman 11195 JORDANIE 
Tel./Fax: 00/962/655.367.79 
Grand Lodge of Denmark 
Hans MOLLER LARSEN 
Ny Kongensgade 9, o.g. 
DK-1472 Copenhagen 
DANEMARK 
Tel/Fax :00/45/43.73.29.26 
Gran Logia Nacional de Puerto Rico 
Edgar MARTINEZ MASDEU 
Urb.Valencia Calle Jaén # 311 
San Juan de Puerto Rico 
P. R. 00923 U.S.A. 
Tel.:00/787/282.70.92 
Fax: 00/787/789.91.26 
E-mail: asep@caribe.net 
emartinmas@centennialpr.net 
George Washington Union 
Mr. Michael S. Niddam 5225 Pooks Hill Road 
Jean-Louis PETIT Apartment nº 806-South, 
Bethesda MD 208 14-2017 U.S.A. 
Tel/Fax : 00/1/301/571.72.22 
Fax : 00/1/301/962.79.44. 
Gran Logia de la República de Venezuela Cárcel a Monzón 
Residencia La Concordia. Local 1 
Jose Rafael MARTINEZ GAMBOA Apartado de correos 4256 
1010 A Caracas VENEZUELA
Tel.: 00/5802/484 68 78 
Fax: 00/5802/482 43 97 
E-mail: granlogiarv@cantv.net 
Web: http//members.tripod.com/granlogia 
Grand Rite Malgache 
M.Jean-Paul Forestier 
B.P. 1458 101- Antananarivo 
Emile BABEMANANTSOA MADAGASCAR 
Tel./Fax: 00/261/359.80 
Omega Grand Lodge of the State Of New York 
116 Sharpe Avenue 
Staten Island, NY 10302 U.S.A. 
Roosevelt GREEN Tel.: 00/1/516/623 07 33 
Fax: 00/1/718/720 59 58 
E-mail: MWOmegaGL@aol.com 
Grands Orient & Loge Unis du G.O.L.U.C. Cameroun 
B.P.4446 Douala CAMEROUN 
Marcel DOBILL Fax. 00.237.402373 et 420726 
Gran Logia Simbólica Española G. L. S. E 
Apartado 557 8080 Barcelona 
Ascensión TEJERINA ESPAÑA. 
Tel./Fax: 00/34/93.268.18.89 
E-mail: glse@glse.org 
Web site: http://www.glse.org 
Grand Orient du Congo G. O. C. 
B.P. 14.642 Kinshasa l 
REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO 
Leopold MAKOKO ou M. Takizal Luyan 
Av. Franklin Roosevelt 188 A 
1050 Bruxelles BELGIQUE 
Grande Loge Féminine de Belgique G.L.F.B./V.G.L.B. 
Rue du Dries 21 
Myriam BAUDON B-1190 Bruxelles BELGIQUE 
Tel.: 00/32/23.32.10.02 
Fax: 00/32/23.32.26.95 
E-mail: GLFB-VGLB@euronet.be 
Nederlandse Grootloge der Gemengde Vrijmetselarij N. G. G. V. 
Grande Loge Mixte des Pays-Bas 
Hogelaan 2 NL-3134 Vlaardingen PAYS-BAS 
Tel : 00/3110/248.98.11 
Fax : 00/3110/248.98.12 
Bob VAN DEN BOSCH E-mail: arctus@yahoo.com 
Site: www.nggv.nl@xs4all.nl 
Grande Oriente Lusitano 
Grand Orient du Portugal 
Rua do Gremio Lusitano 25 
Eugenio Oscar Filipe de OLIVEIRA 
P-1200 Lisboa PORTUGAL 
Tel.: 00/3512/13.42.45.06 
Fax: 00/3512/13.24.65.57 
Grande Loge Haïtienne de St. Jean des Orients d'Outre Mer 
175-21, 88th Avenue 
Jamaica, N.Y. 11432 U.S.A. 
Bernard CIVIL Tel.: 00/1/718/658.69.17 
E-mail: BernardCivil@hotmail.com 
Grande Loge d'Haïti 
M.Bertholand Edouard 
Boite Postale 13046, 
Delmas Port au Prince. HAITI 
Tel.: 00/509/249.30.99 
Universaler Freimaurer Orden "Humanitas" Ordre Maç.Universel HUMANITAS 
Dr. Helga Schichtl 
Brunnstr. 3 
D-80331 München. ALLEMAGNE 
Helga SCHICHTL Tel.:00/49/89.260.42.19 
Fax: 00/49/89.260.192.96 
E-mail :Helga.Schichtl@bertelsmann.de 
Gran Oriente Latino Americano 
Sr. Rolando Moya Tasquer 
Edificio Marinoar 
Avenida Eloy Alfaro N34-85 
Rolando MOYA TASQUER P.O Box : 17-01.2676 Quito ECUADOR 
Tel.: 00/5932/246.317
Fax: 00/5932/246.315 
E-mail : golaconsejo@hotmail.com
Web site: http://www.hotmail.com 
or M. Armando Fuenzaliza Bunster 
25 rue Rouget de Lisle. 45400 Semoy FRANCE 
Tel./Fax. 00/332/38.61.02.47 
Grand Bénin de la République du Bénin 
B.P.1864 Cotonou 
REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN 
Mouritalabi OLATOUNDJI Tel.: 00/229/31.43.66 
Fax: 00/229/31.22.65 
Gross Loge Humanitas Austria Grande Loge Humanitas Autriche 
Frau Helga Ebenberger 
Linzerstrasse, 210/6 
1140 Wien AUTRICHE 
Tel./Fax: 00/431/914.98.86 
E-mail: helga.ebenberger@aon.at 
Grands Orient & Loge Associés du G. O. L. A. C. 
Congo B.P. 2825 Brazzaville 
Gabriel NZAMBILA 
REPÚBLIQUE DU CONGO 
Tel./Fax: 00/242/94.16.29 
Tel. portable : 00242.42.87.12 
E-mail : nzambila@Hotmail.com 
Özgür Masoniar Büyük Locasi Özgür Masoniar Büyük Locasi 
Grande Loge Libérale de Turquie 
Müeyyet sokak. No 3 
80050 Beyoglu-Istanbul TURQUIE 
Murat Özgen AYFER Tel.:00/90/.212.292 00 34 
Fax: 00/90/.212.252.13.77 
E-mail: mason@mason-mahfili.org.tr 
Gran Logia Mixta de Chile Corporación Centro Santiago Catedral nº 2091 
Diego LAGOMARCINO 
Casilla Postal nº 13592 
Santiago CHILE 
Tel.:00/562/696.05.22 
Fax: 00/562/671.95.80 
E-mail : glmdech@entelchile.net 
Grande Loge Féminine de G. L. F. M. M. Memphis-Misraîm 
5 rue de l'Eglise 
F-92100 Boulogne-Billancourt FRANCE 
Martine FAIVRE GOLD Tel/Fax :00/331/45.46.46.88. 
E-mail : martine.faivre-gold@wanadoo.fr 
Grande Loge Symbolique Helvétique. 
M. Georges Dubois 
Chemin Curtinaus 5 
CH-1095 Lutry SUISSE 
Tel./Fax: 00/4122/346.00.23 
Grande Eburnie 
01 BP 4479 ABIDJAN 01 
Gabriel LOUHOURY GUIGUI COTE D'IVOIRE
Tel/Fax: 00/225/20.21.10. 43 
E-mail: SAE@AFRICAONLINE.co.ci 
Gran Logia Femenina de Chile 
C/ Tegualda nº 2009 Ñuñoa. 
Nancy MUÑOZ MIRANDA 
Código Postal: 684.1203 
Santiago CHILE 
Tel./Fax. 00/562/274.57.84 
E-mail: glfem@entelchile.net 
Gran Loggia Massonica Femminile G. L. M. F. I. d'Italia 
Grande Loge Féminine d'Italie 
Via Scipione Ammirato, 20 
I-50136 Firenze ITALIE 
Gabriella BAGNOLESI Tel/Fax: 00/390/55.655 03 21 
GLF@granloggiafemminile.org 
Grande Loja Unida de Paraná G. L. U. P. 
Caixa Postal 1033 
80011-970 Curitiba PR BRASIL 
Jefferson Isaac SCHEER Tel: 00/5541/362 24 99 
Fax: 00/5541/362 33 08 
E-mail: jijs@uol.com.br 
Site : www.maconaria.org 
Séréníssime Grand Orient de Grèce S.G.O.G. 
Emmanuel KONTOYIANNIS 
Michael Voda, 
139Athènes 104 46 GRECE 
Tel./Fax: 00/301/86.19.142 
Grande Loge de la Caraïbe G. L. D. L. C. 
Serge TONDU 
B. P. 3017 Raizet Sud 
97139 ABYMES. GUADELOUPE 
Tel.:00/590/91 07 71 (bureau G:.M:.) 
Tel/Fax :00/590/95 45 21 (domicile G:.M:.) 
E-mail : stondu@wanadoo.fr 
Gran Oriente de México 
Victor Vite MARTINEZ Col. Pedregal de Santo Domingo. 
C/ Toltecas Manz.7. Lote 9 
C.P. 04369. Delegación Coyoacán. 
Mexico. D.F. MEXICO 
Tel.: 00/525/1/5421-0180 
Fax : 00/525/1/5702-1716 
E-mail: e_rive@yahoo.com 
Grande Loge Nationale du Canada G. L. N. C. 
Elie DAMOUNI Brossard, 
5524 Boulevard Plamondon 
Québec J4W 1G9 CANADA 
Tel.:00/1/450/465.01.49 
Fax: 00/1/450/465.91.47 
E-mail: bgsecretariat@glnc.org 
Grande Oriente Nacional "Gloria Gr. Or. Nac. Gloria do Ocidente 
Do Ocidente" do Brasil 
Caixa Postal nº 851. 
74.001-970 Goiânia GO BRASIL 
Jacyntho FERNANDEZ DUTRA Tel.: 00/5561/354.31.89 
Fax: 00/5562/289.10.25 
E-mail: gonabdf@zaz.com.br 
E-mail G:. M:. jacyntho@zaz.com.br 
Gran Logia del Norte de Colombia 
Calle 80 Nº. 42E- 14. Barranquilla 
Guillermo BOLIVAR BARRIOS COLOMBIA 
Tel.: 00/57/ 359.60.04 
Fax : 00/57/340.68.56 
E-mail : glnortecolombia@hotmail.com 

CONVENTION

Les Puissances Maçonniques conviennent ensemble de coordonner leurs efforts de communication par une coopération permanente et fraternelle au sein d'un secrétari-at central. Elles se refusent à toute affirmation dogmatique. Les principes qui les u-nissent sont la liberté de conscience, la tolérance réciproque, la liberté, l'égalité et la fraternité.

SECRETARIAT INTERNATIONAL MACONNIQUE DES PUISSANCES ADOGMA-TIQUES

LA FRANC-MACONNERIE :

La Franc-maçonnerie est une alliance universelle ayant pour but la  fraternité entre tous les hommes, le perfectionnement de l'être humain et le progrès de l'humanité.

Elle se base sur le symbolisme de la construction, dont elle a adopté le langage, elle a un caractère essentiellement initiatique, c'est-à-dire une capacité à transformer et à améliorer 1"être humain et elle permet  discrètement, dans le respect du rythme de chacun, d'approcher de la connaissance, d'apprendre à apprendre, d'apprendre à ressentir, d'apprendre à partager, d'apprendre à écouter.

N'étant ni église, ni école, la Franc-Maçonnerie ne souscrit à aucune doctrine, ni à aucun dogme. Elle prône la tolérance et contribue à la grandeur de l'homme, dont l'aventure la plus héroïque est de devenir un homme.

LE FRANC-MACON :

Etre Franc-Maçon, c'est être initié dans une Loge juste et parfaite et être reconnu comme tel par ses Frères et ses Sœurs, tout en étant probe et libre de penser et de dire, voire de faire ce qu'il ou ce qu'elle veut à titre individuel.'

Etre initié, c'est être citoyen du monde, où s'élabore une morale universelle.

LA LOGE :

Le travail de la Loge consiste à concilier savoir et connaissance, tradition et moderni-té et à participer à l'enrichissement spirituel et humaniste de notre temps.

En conséquence, les Obédiences soussignées :

- fondamentalement respectueuses du principe de la liberté absolue de conscience;

- persuadées que l'affranchissement (notamment social) de l'homme et de la femme passe par un combat sans concession à l'encontre des enfermements dogmatiques, des dérives sectaires et des idéologies contraire à la dignité humaine;

- attachées indéfectiblement au principe d'Egalité;

- conscientes que la démocratie et le principe de laïcité constituent les piliers néces-saires d'une organisation de la société.

Article 1
Les Obédiences membres s'engagent à constituer un secrétariat permanent et frate-nel pour une mise en commun des informations utiles, pouvant servir leurs intérêts et leurs intérêts communs. La responsabilité du secrétariat sera assumée par roule-ment tous les 2 ans, par chacun des membres et en assurera la charge à tour de rôle. Le secrétariat aura pour charge de recevoir et de diffuser les informations utiles à l'ensemble des Obédiences membres. Ces informations pourront être communiqu-ées en temps réels par (e-mail) et par deux bulletins annuels, aux échéances suivan-tes, de septembre à janvier et de février à juin, sur papier simple de type format A4. Ces informations devront être transmises au secrétariat central, qui se chargera de les diffuser uniquement, au secrétariat des Grands Maîtres des Obédiences membres qui se chargeront à leur tour de la diffusion au sein de leur propre Obé-dience et dont le caractère confidentiel ne devra pas être dévoilé en dehors des membres. Les Obédiences signataires s'engagent à échanger, par le canal du secré-tariat, l'ensemble des informations de nature à leur permettre d'assurer la réalisation des objectifs exprimés dans le préambule.

Article 2
Les membres de ce secrétariat se réuniront une fois par an à l'occasion d'un événe-ment maçonnique régulier d'une Obédience membre. Cette réunion sera convoquée par l'Obédience en charge du secrétariat.

Article 3
L'admission d'une nouvelle Obédience impliquera une acceptation sans réserve exprimée de façon écrite, des principes de la présente convention et sera décidée à la majorité des 3/4des voix exprimées.

Article 4
Il est expressément convenu que chacune des Obédiences membres assumera, pour ce qui la concerne, la prise en charge de la totalité des frais de ses représen-tants.

Article 5
L'abonnement annuel au secrétariat est fixé de manière forfaitaire à 600 Euros, par membre, payable à fin janvier de chaque année. (600 Euros correspondent à environ 24.000,-FB ; 4.000,-FF ; 1.080,-CHF ; 800 US$)

Article 6
Une caisse hospitalière sera constituée avec l'excédent des cotisations, pour venir en aide momentanément aux Obédiences qui se trouveront en difficulté passagère. La gestion des fonds reçus sera examinée par une commission financière constituée de 3 Grands Maîtres, notamment:
- le Grand Maître président de l'Obédience précédente;
- le Grand Maître en charge du secrétariat;
- le Grand Maître qui prendra la succession.

04/12/98

The following was sent in an email message:
Here come the German statutes of SIMPA:

Erklärung der 25 Obödienzen vom 6. Dezember 1998 in Brüssel

Secrétariat International Maçonnique

des Puissances Adogmatiques

S.°.I.°.M.°.P.°.A.°. :

Die 25 Obedienzen, die diesen Text paraphierten, verpflichten sich dazu, ihn ihren Autoritäten innerhalb kürzester Frist zur Unterschrift vorzulegen. - Brüssel, 04.12.98
 

ABKOMMEN

Die Maurerischen Mächte sind sich einig, ihr Streben nach Kommunikation durch eine ständige und brüderliche Kooperation mittels eines permanenten, zentralen Sekretariats zu koordinieren. Sie lehnen jegliche Dogmatik ab. Die sie verbindenden Prinzipien heißen Gewissensfreiheit, gegenseitige  Toleranz, Freiheit und Brüderlichkeit.
 

~INTERNATIONALES FREIMAURER-SEKRETARIAT DER ADOGMATISCHEN MÄCHTE~

DIE FREIMAUREREI:

Die Freimaurerei ist ein universaler Bund, dessen Ziel die Brüderlichkeit zwischen allen Menschen, die Vervollkomnung des Menschen und der Fortschritt der Humanität sind.

Sie beruht auf der Symbolik der Bauhütten, dessen Sprache sie übernommen hat. Sie hat einen essentiellen Initiationscharakter, d.h. die Fähigkeit, das Wesen des Men-schen zu transformieren und zu veredeln, und sie  ermöglicht es, auf diskrete Weise und in Respekt vor jeglicher Individualität, der Erkenntnis näherzukommen sowie das Lernen, das Fühlen, das Teilen und das Zuhören zu erlernen.

Da sie weder eine Kirche noch eine weltbildliche Lehre darstellt, pflichtet die Frei-maurerei keinerlei Doktrin und keinerlei Dogma bei. Sie predigt die Toleranz und för-dert die Würde des Menschen, dessen wohl heroischstes Abenteuer das Mensch-Werden ist.
 

DER FREIMAURER:

Freimaurer zu sein bedeutet, in einer gerechten und vollkommenen Loge eingeweiht zu werden und von seinen Brüdern und Schwestern als solcher anerkennt zu werden sowie aufrichtig und frei im Denken, im Reden und im individuellen Handeln zu sein.

Eingeweiht zu sein bedeutet, sich als Weltbürger für ein Welt-Ethos zu ereifern.

DIE LOGE:

Die Arbeit in der Loge besteht darin, Wissen und Erkenntnis, Tradition und Modernität miteinander in Einklang zu bringen und zur spirituellen und humanistischen Bereicherung unserer Zeit beizutragen.

Dementsprechend

- in Respekt vor der absoluten Gewissensfreiheit;

- überzeugt von der Tatsache, daß die Befreiung sowohl des Mannes als auch der Frau durch den Kampf gegen jede dogmatische Einschränkung, gegen jeden fanatischen Trieb und gegen alle menschenentwürdigenden Ideologien stattfindet;

- unwiderruflich dem Gleichheitsprinzip verbunden;

- im Bewußtsein der Tatsache, daß die Demokratie und das Prinzip der Laizität die notwendigen Säulen der Gesellschaftsordnung darstellen;

genehmigen die unterzeichenden Obedienzen die folgenden Artikel:

Artikel 1

Im Rahmen ihrer Mitgliedschaft verpflichten sich die unterzeichnenden Obedienzen zur Errichtung eines ständigen brüderlichen Sekretariats, dessen Ziel der Austausch und die Verbreitung der für die einzelnen und gemeinsamen Interessen nützlichen Informationen ist.

Die Verantwortung für das Sekretariat wird von jedem der Mitglieder abwechselnd in zweijährigem Rhythmus übernommen.

Das Sekretariat hat die Aufgabe, die für die Gesamtheit der Mitglieder dienlichen In-formationen zu sammeln und zu unterbreiten.

Alle Informationen können entweder zu jeder Zeit als E-Mail versandt oder zweimal im Jahr, für die Perioden September-Januar und Februar-Juni, als Jahresbericht (DIN-A4-Format) dokumentiert werden.

Diese Informationen sind von dem Zentral-Sekretariat zu ermitteln. Das Zentral-Sekretariat leitet sie an das Sekretariat der Großmeister der Mitgliedsobedienzen weiter, damit sie - unter Gewährleistung des  vertraulichen Charakters - innerhalb ihrer Obedienz unterbreitet werden können.

Die unterzeichnenden Obödienzen verpflichten sich zur Übermittlung aller Informa-tionen an das Sekretariat, die zur Verwirklichung der - in der obigen Präambel aufgeführten - Ziele beitragen können. 

Artikel 2

Einmal im Jahr versammeln sich alle Mitglieder des Sekretariats anlässlich eines von einem der Mitglieder organisierten, regulären maurerischen Ereignisses. Zu dieser Versammlung wird von der Obedienz eingeladen, die das Sekretariat zu der Zeit führt.

Artikel 3

Der Beitritt einer neuen Obedienz setzt die bedingungslose, schriftlich bekundete Annahme aller Prinzipien des hiesigen Abkommens voraus und muß von einer Dreiviertelmehrheit der Stimmen genehmigt werden.

Artikel 4

Es wird ausdrücklich vereinbart, daß jede Mitgliedsobedienz die eigenen Unkosten bezüglich ihrer Vertretungskosten übernimmt.

Artikel 5

Der Jahresbeitrag für das Sekretariat wird pro Mitglied auf die Pauschalsumme von 600 Euro festgelegt. Dieser Beitrag ist jährlich vor Ende Januar zu entrichten.2

Artikel 6

Mit den Überschüssen aus den Jahresbeiträgen wird eine Solidaritätskasse gebildet, um Obedienzen zur Hilfe zu kommen, die sich vorübergehend in Schwierigkeiten befinden.

Die Verwaltung der Gelder wird einer Finanzkommission anvertraut. Diese Kommis-sion bilden:

- der Großmeister der ausscheidenden Obedienz,
- der Großmeister der Obedienz, die das Sekretariat führt,
- und der Großmeister der Obedienz, die das Sekretariat als nächste übernehmen wird.

Brüssel, den 04.12.98
.
Grand Orient de Belgique, Grande Loge de Belgique, Grande Loge Feminine de Bel-gique, Federation belge du Droit Humain, Grand Orient de Luxembourg, Grand Ori-ent de France, Grande Loge Mixte de France, Grande Loge Feminine de France, Federation francaise du Droit Humain, Grande Loge Mixte Universelle, Grande Loge Feminine de Memphis-Misraim, Grand Orient de Suisse, Gran Loggia d'Italia, Gran Logia Simbolica Espaniola, Grande Loge Mac:. de Turquie, Seren. Grand Orient de Grece, Grand Orient du Congo, Grands Orient et Loge associes du Congo, Grands Orient et Loge unis du Cameroun, Grand Rite Malgache, George Washington Union, Grand Orient de Hongne, Grand Orient de Pologne, Grande Oriente de Santa Cata-rina, Grande Loja Unida de Sao Paulo.

1 Deutsche Übersetzung: Jan F., R.°.L.°."Fraternitas Europae" (28.01.99). Redaktionelle Überarbeitung: M.  Harscheidt, Assoziation "Forum R.E.F.O.R.M." (06.02.99). 
2 [600 Euro = ca. 24.000 BEF, 4.000 FF, 1.080 CHF, 800 US$, 1.170 DEM] Erklärung der 25 Obödienzen in Brüssel vom 04. 12. 1998, Blatt 4
 

2. Twelve years after the creation of the Union, G.M.Zeller, 
Vice-president of the CLIPSAS, with the question " if the CLIPSAS continues the re-establishment of the universality, even if necessary with the UGLE " confirms the proclamation de1960 and the declaration of Strasbourg:
" There is no exclusive of principle against the UGLE.
If it takes to us as we are, that is enough ".
3. Another confirmation of the Union, in 1982 the President " accomodates F.Ruffin Green, G.M. of the Omega Grand Lodge which has just entered to the Union of Strasbourg ".
4.A to start from 1994, certain desired GG.MM.ont récrire the Call of Strasbourg, to remove the paragraph of it " Estimate ", key of the universality decided in Strasbourg.
The third point of the proposal of G.M.Lafouge in Santiago:
" a 3 years moratorium is decided for the admission of new Obediences, in order to allow the detailed examination of their liberal nature and freethinking " reflects this will to restrict, i.e. denounce, the Declaration of Union and the Call of Strasbourg.
Address for the correspondence:
CLIPSAS, 3, rue des Près, L-8393 OLM / LUXEMBOURG.

THE CLIPSAS FOR WHAT?

In 1990, the Union of Strasbourg was famous CLIPSAS by President Ragache be-cause " the denomination of association is too long, obsolete and does not translate the objective of the group ".
But this change of denomination could not be interpreted like a modification, even the suppression of the Union of Strasbourg.
The question " the CLIPSAS for what?
" is thus identical to " the Union of Strasbourg for what? ".

1. The answer to this question is in the Proclamation of 1960, approved by all Obe-diences, namely the re-establishment of the Chain of Union broken by the regrettable exclusive ones and " the construction of a vast universal gathering maconnic for which the need is more imperative than ever ": thus All Obediences members of the Union / CLIPSAS are plain.

And the recording of Statutes in 1993 with the Prefecture of Paris confers a legal e-xistence to us. 
2.
In addition, from this Union of Sovereign Obediences the advisability rises of facilita-ting the connection and information. The link is made in the General meetings and Rencontres/Colloques. The secretariat disseminates information, insofar as the members provide it to him. Admittedly, with the development of the electronic means, the majority of the members do not feel any more the need to send their information. But, for regrettable that it is, that could not be carried to the discredit of association.
CONCLUSION To restore the Chain of Universal Union broken by the regrettable exclusive ones, the Conference of Strasbourg created the Union of Strasbourg on the basis of proclamation of 1960..
Forty years after, the goals of this proclamation and the declaration of Union are al-ways of an extreme topicality.
Thus in the discussions, as well at the time of the Conference 2000 on the CLIPSAS as as a General Assembly, the general feeling recognized the single value of the U-NION OF STRASBOURG / CLIPSAS.

2.
PROCLAMATION AND CALL OF STRASBOURG GENERAL PAYMENT DIRECTO-RY ADOPTED PROCLAMATION A STRASBOURG on JANUARY 22, 1961 (text of the Great East of France and the Great East of Belgium) Obediences Signatories:
- honour themselves with their absolute fidelity to the message of tolerance, fraternity and union contained in article 1 of the Constitutions of Anderson (1723) and whose respect remains their gold rule.
- estimate that Freemasonry has the role " of assembling the people who, without it, would have remained foreign " and which the Freemason must be primarily an ele-ment of harmony between all the men.
- consider that the essence of Masonry lies in its social ideal of fraternity and having and not in the rigid observance of some even traditional use; that a spirituality which narrowly links the man with becoming of humanity and the improvement of its condi-tion has as much moral value than that which it can find in its relationship with a prin-ciple supra natural.
For these Obediences, initiation, philanthropy, spirituality do not exclude a vocation from humanism and progress; the meditation does not prohibit the action.
respect of the rites and the tradition does not prohibit:
- to address a message of tolerance, fraternity, union;
- to inspire to the men a will of personal rise and harmony;
- to offer to the young people a vaster and more generous ideal.
Just as the river is faithful to its source only while going towards the sea, a Masonry which would refuse to follow human progress, would betray the intention even its founders.
By that even as it is progressive, our Masonry, conscious of carrying out in the mo-dern scientific company the generous intention of our M.Anderson, by its natural pro-longation, the complete freedom of the spirit, does not  admit any limitation with the absolute freedom of conscience.
The realization of this ideal requires the agreement of all the Masons in a harmony where each note preserves its value, and in the respect of the freedom of each one.
One Masonry which intends to achieve its mission, could not push back any the va-lues morals able to strengthen it.
All the men, whatever their race, their religion, their social condition, their ideals phi-losophical or political, their economic designs, if they are free and honest, owe com-munier in the same will of union to allow the construction of a vast gathering maç.universel, for which the need is more imperative than ever.
If the exclusive ones remain, they do not come from us and we avoid raising oursel-ves of them, far from being an obstacle with the Union, we think that the diversity of the values morals constitutes a factor of richnesses intellectual, spiritual and moral essential to its blooming.
We are persuaded that Masonries which do not admit freedom absolutes of cons-cience, are imperfectly lit and that our duty is to help them in their routing towards the Light.
Respectful of all the tradition, of all the rite, of all the symbol, of all the belief, of free-dom absolute of conscience, faithful with spirit of Constitution of Anderson of 1723, concerned to leave with each Mason the care to himself determine freely on the choice of Rite and the interpretation of symbol, the Power Signatory of call with all the Masonry of World, so that himself form between they a Chain of Union insoluble which ensure the triumph of ideal maç. and humanity will lead towards more Beauty and of Kindness.
CALL OF STRASBOURG the Powers Maçonniques Souveraines at this meeting in Strasbourg on January 22 1961 CONSIDERANT 1.qu' it is pressing to restore bet-ween all the Freemasons the Chain of Union broken by regrettable exclusive opposi-tes with the principles of the Constitutions of Anderson of 1723;
2. that it is important for this purpose to seek jointly by taking account of all the tradi-tions, of all the rites, all the symbols, all the beliefs and in the respect of the absolute freedom of conscience, the conditions which determine the quality of Freemason.
ESTIMATE That the fact of placing work under the invocation of the Large Architect of the Universe and of requiring that one of the Three Lights be the Crowned Book of a revealed religion must be left with the appreciation of each Cabin and each Obe-dience.
DECIDENT AND DECLARENT to establish between them fraternal relations and to open the doors of their Temples, without condition of reciprocity, with any Freemason or Frankly-Build having received the Light in a Cabin right and perfect provided that the maconnic specificity of the Cabin or Obedience allows these visits.
APPEAL has all the Freemasons so that they join this Chain Union based on a total freedom of conscience and a perfect mutual tolerance.
GENERAL PAYMENT PREAMBULE the CLIPSAS is an International association Maçonnique gathering Obediences having subscribed to the Proclamation and the Call of Strasbourg.
Its Statutes appear in the Prefecture of Paris.
Each Obedience member keeps his sovereignty and the CLIPSAS does not set up in superobédience.
The base of the CLIPSAS is the Chain of Universal Union between Obediences members.
Consequently, the CLIPSAS exerts a function of connection, information, communi-cation and reflexion.
It will be able to take part by its contribution to the major philosophical, social and humanistic problems through the organizations of the United Nations.
MEMBERS Article 1.
The members are Obediences including/understanding at least three Cabins Blue and working with the first three Ranks.
Article 2.
The members of the same continent can constitute a Continental Commission of which they define the goals and the methods in the respect of this Payment.
Article 3.
The requests for admission are addressed to the Office.
Only sound admissible candidatures of Obediences justifying three years of existen-ce at the time when the Board of inquiry is indicated.
Article 4.
Any request for admission must be accompanied by:
a) l'adhésion expresse et sans réserve aux principes ci-dessus du CLIPSAS et l'établissement de relations fraternelles, sans condition de réciprocité et dans le respect de la spécificité maçonnique de l'Obédience ;
a) adhesion express and without reserve with the principles above of the CLIPSAS and establishment of fraternal relations, without condition of reciprocity and in the respect of the maconnic specificity of Obedience;
b) les statuts ou règlement général ;
b) statutes or general payment;
c) un bref historique ;
c) a short history;
d) le questionnaire de renseignement.
d) the questionnaire of information.
Article 5.
Article 5.
Le Bureau informe les Obédiences membres de la demande reçue.
The Office informs Obediences members of the received request.
Article 6.
Article 6.
Toute candidature est examinée par une Commission d'Enquête désignée par  l'As-semblée Générale ou, entre les réunions, par le Bureau.
Any candidature is examined by a Board of inquiry indicated by the General As-sembly or, between the meetings, by the Office.
Elle est composée, dans la mesure du possible, de trois Obédiences sur le 
même continent que le demandeur et dont l'une a le siège dans le pays.
She is made up, as far as possible, of three Obediences on the same 
continent as the applicant and of which one has the seat in the country.
Cette Commission fait rapport à l'Assemblée Générale.
This Commission submits a report with the General Assembly.
Elle consultera obligatoirement les Obédiences membres travaillant sur le 
territoire national du demandeur.
She will consult obligatorily Obediences members working on the own 
territory of the applicant.
Les Obédiences membres sont tenues de notifier par écrit au Président dans 
les six mois toute opposition à l'admission de l'Obédience candidate.
Obediences members are held to notify in writing to the President in the 
six months any opposition to the admission of Obedience candidate.
Le Président informe les autres membres de cette opposition.
The President informs the other members of this opposition.
Article 7.
Article 7.
Toute admission, suspension ou radiation est prononcée en Assemblée 
Générale selon l'article 11.
Any admission, suspension or radiation are marked as a General Assembly 
according to article 11.
Les abstentions ne sont pas admises.
The abstentions are not allowed.
En cas de rejet par l'Assemblée