Many presidents of Mexico were Freemasons. Freemasonry greatly influenced political actions in the early republic, as holders of conservative ideas gathered in lodges of the Scottish Rite, while reformists choose the York Rite. Hence escoceses became synonymous with Conservatives, and yorkinos with Liberals. Santa Anna was a Scottish Rite Mason.[1]
History
Freemasonry arrived in colonial Mexico during the second half of the 18th century, brought by French immigrants who settled in the capital. However, they were condemned by the local Inquisition and forced to desist. It is probable, though no written evidence exists, that there were itinerant lodges in the Spanish army in New Spain. Freemasons may even have been able to participate in the first autonomist movements, then for independence, conveying the ideas of enlightenment in the late 18th century. Some historians, both Freemasons and non-Freemasons, including Leon Zeldis Mendel and José Antonio Ferrer Benimeli have emphasized that Freemasonry in Latin America had built its own mythology, well away from what history records.[2] The distinction between Patriotic Latin American Societies and Masonic lodges is tenuous. Between the late 18th and early 19th century, their operative structure was very similar, as is indicated by the historian Virginia Guedea.[3]
The first Masonic Lodge of Mexico, Arquitectura Moral, was founded in 1806. The year 1813 saw the creation of the first Grand Lodge of Mexico, Scottish Rite.[4]
Jose Maria Mateos, a leading Liberal politician of the late 19th century, stated in 1884 that some illustrious autonomists and independentists, such as Miguel Hidalgo, Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon and Ignacio Allende, were Freemasons. According to Mateos, they were, for the most part, initiated in the lodge Arquitectura Moral (now Bolivar No. 73), but it is true that there are no documents to prove his point. However, there are documents that seem to prove that the first Governor of independent Mexico the emperor Agustín de Iturbide, and the Dominican friar Servando Teresa de Mier, were both Freemasons. But it is true that it was common for the Inquisition to use the charge of belonging to Freemasonry in order to attack autonomists and independentists, which guarantees the impossibility of proving the innocence of the accused, due to the clandestine nature of the Orders. Thus, the archives of the Inquisition don't eliminate the uncertainties on this subject.[citation needed]
From the independence in 1821 until 1982, it is believed that many of the leaders of Mexico belonged to Freemasonry. When political independence came about, the few existing lodges came out of hiding and multiplied. With the arrival of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States Joel Roberts Poinsett, the young Mexican Freemasonry was divided into two political movements, without really being defined. Poinsett promotes the creation of the Lodge of York Rite, close to the interests of the United States. Meanwhile, conservative Freemasons of the Scottish Lodge of the young Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, headed by the last viceroy doctor from Barcelona, Manuel Codorniu, manifested their opposition to the realization of the interventionist theory Manifest Destiny in the newspaper "El Sol". Thus, Freemasons who support American-style liberalism met around the lodges of the York Rite, while Freemasons who would be seen as "conservatives" remained close to the Scottish lodges, although they considered themselves heirs of Spanish liberalism. Soon, those Freemasons who did not identify with the existing alternatives would choose a third way in founding in 1825 a national rite called the National Mexican Rite, which would aim to create a political model for, and a clean government in, Mexico.[5][6]
During the French military occupation that placed Maximilian I of Mexico on the throne in 1864, various French military lodges, dependent on the Grand Orient de France, arrived in Mexico, but disappeared when the French left the country. Thus, it is very likely that these Itinerant Lodges of the French Rite, due to their status as being perceived as invaders, left no influences of ritual. At the museum of Masonic Grand Orient of France, one banner of one of those lodges is preserved.
During the nineteenth century Freemasonry was being heralded as a means of removing the influences of the Catholic Church. Several of the men who were masons had expressed a desire to free women from the church's grasp through education, and they approached Laureana Wright de Kleinhans to help spread freemasonry. Though she was totally committed to the education of women, she ultimately rejected the organization because they refused to acknowledge the equality of men and women and in fact had an initiation oath which declared "never admit to their ranks a blind man, a madman, or a woman".[7]
The National Mexican Rite is a rite of Freemasonry founded in Mexico in about 1834. The rite consists of six further degrees after the degree of Master Mason. They are fourth degree (Approved Master), fifth-degree (Knight of the Secret), sixth-degree (Knight of the Mexican Eagle), seventh-degree (Perfect Architect), eighth degree (Grand Judge), and ninth degree (Grand Inspector General). The rituals of the degrees were largely adapted from the Scottish Rite.
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
There are two Scottish Rite bodies in Mexico. The first is the Supreme Council of México, 33rd Degree for the Masonic Jurisdiction of the united states of México. The Sovereign Grand Commander is IPH Alfonso Sierra Chacon. In addition, there is the Supreme Council of México, 33rd Degree for the Masonic Jurisdiction of the North, South and Center of the United States of México. The Sovereign Grand Commander of this body is IPH Jorge Alejandro Aviles Reyes.
York Rite
The York Rite bodies in Mexico are integrated into two bodies that practice Royal Arch Masonry as recognized internationally:[citation needed]
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons Unified of Mexico (Gran Capítulo de Masones del Real Arco Unificado de México) (Not Recognized).
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States of Mexico (Gran Capítulo de Masones del Real Arco de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos)
The next degree-conferring bodies are:
The Grand Council of Cryptic Masons Of México
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of México
The York Rite bodies have a horizontal structure, as opposed to the vertical Scottish Rite where the philosophical degrees commence with the 4th to the 33rd degree. However, entrance has always been through the Royal Arch degrees, which enable all Master Masons who have taken the Royal Arch degrees to continue their path in search of further light in Masonry with the Cryptic and Commandery degrees. These last two degrees can be chosen separately and in no particular order.
In Mexico the Regular York Rite bodies with international recognition are the Royal Arch Chapters, the Councils of Cryptic Masons and The Grand Commanderies of the Knights Templar.
As a result, the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International only supports and acknowledges two Royal Arch Grand Chapters in Mexico:
*The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Unified of Mexico(Gran Capítulo de Masones del Real Arco Unificado de México) (Not Recognized).
Located in CDMX, and presided (2020–2022) by:
M.E.C. José de Jesus Andrade Hidalgo as Grand High Priest;
M.E.C. Martín Juárez Ibarra as Grand King;
M.E.C. José Julian Cholula Muñoz as Grand Scribe;
M.E.C. Daniel Vázquez Dosal as Grand Secretary;
M.E.C. Amado Ovidio Gil Villarello as Grand Treasurer.
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons Unified of Mexico have next constituent chapters:
*The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States of Mexico(Gran Capítulo de Masones del Real Arco de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos)
Located in the city of Guadalajara, state of Jalisco, and presided (2014–16) by:
M.E.C. Juan Ramón Negrete Marín as Grand High Priest;
M.E.C. Christian Martinez Sandoval as Grand King;
M.E.C. Mario Tanús Herrera as Grand Scribe;
M.E.C. Joaquín Vega Antúnez as Grand Secretary;
M.E.C. Ricardo Preciado Ploneda as Grand Treasurer.
Both Grand Chapters have Ambassadors as appointed by the General Grand Chapter:
Grand Chapter of Mexico - Ambassador - Manuel del Castillo Trulín- Deputy Ambassador - Jaime Pérez-Velez Olvera PGHP.
Grand Chapter of the USM - Ambassador - Ricardo Ruíz Guillén
*The Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of México Located in the city of Guadalajara, state of Jalisco
*The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of México Located in Teteles, state of Puebla, and Presided (2019–2021) by:
SK Omar Ali Gúzman Castillo as Eminent Grand Commander;
SK José Jaime Lovera Centeno Deputy Grand Commander;
SK Luis Eduardo Luna Arredondo as Grand Generalissimo;
SK Carlos Manuel Rudametkin Barajas as Grand Captain General;
SK Javier García Cardoso as Grand Recorder;
SK Ruben Jeronimo Escobedo as Grand Treasurer;
SK Augusto Rodrigo Cervantes Gutiérrez as Past Grand Commander (2017-2019);
SK Marco Enrique Rosales Gutierrez as Past Grand Commander (2011-2017);
SK Jaime Rios Otero as Past Grand Commander (2008-2011).
The Grand Commandery of Mexico has 21 constituent Commanderies:
Al Aqsa No. 1
Caballeros de Magdala No. 2
Provincia de la Vera Cruz No. 3
Aridoamericana No. 4
Hugues de Paynes No. 5
J.B de Molay No. 6
Orden de la Veracruz No. 7
Fabian Guzmán Castillo No. 8
Guardianes del Santo Sepulcro No. 9
Rosslyn No. 10
Simonem Cyreneum No. 11
Santo Grial No. 12
Monte Moriat No. 13
Ora et Labora No. 14
Raza Purepecha No. 15
José Magallanes Caldera No. 16
Estado de México No. 17
San Bernardo UD
Capital City UD
Caballeros de Payns UD
Coxala UD
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A - Ambassador - SK Luis Eduardo Luna Arredondo
There are additional honorary or invitational degrees available as well as para-masonic national organizations.
- Pelotón de la Muerte
Mexican Masonic Organisation
Confederations
Confederation of Regular Grand Lodges of the United Mexican States
The Confederation of Regular Grand Lodges of the Mexican United States, Spanish: Confederación de las Grandes Regulares Logia de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, brings together the Regular Grand Lodges in Mexico since 1932. It is headed by the Masonic National Council, Spanish: Consejo Nacional Masónico, consisting of grand masters of the grand lodges members of the confederation. Each of the Grand Lodges is recognized by some of the State Grand Lodges in the United States, but no US State Grand Lodge recognizes all of them. The confederation includes the Grand Lodges of 30 states of the 31 states that constitute the United Mexican States:
Aguascalientes, "Profesor Edmundo Games Orozco"
Baja California,
Baja California Sur,
Campeche,
Chiapas,
Chihuahua, "Cosmos",
Coahuila, "Benito Juárez",
Colima, "Sur Oueste",
Durango, "Guadalupe Victoria"
Guanajuato,
Guerrero,
Hidalgo,
Jalisco, "Occidental Mexicana",
Estado de Mexico,
Michoacán, "Lázaro Cárdenas",
Morelos,
Nayarit,
Nuevo León,
Oaxaca, "Benito Juárez García",
Puebla, "Benemérito Ejército de Oriente",
Querétaro,
Quitana Roo, "Andrés Quintana Roo",
San Luis Potosí, "Soberana e Independiente del Potosí",
Sinaloa del REAyA
Sonora, "Pacífico",
Tabasco, "Restauración",
Tamaulipas,
Veracruz, "Unidad Mexicana",
Yucatán, "La Oriental Peninsular,
Zacatecas, "Jesús González Ortega".
Federal Grand Lodges
York Grand Lodge of Mexico
This Grand Lodge claims jurisdiction over all of Mexico and has thirty-six lodges in different parts of the country. It is the only Grand Jurisdiction in Mexico to be recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England and all the US State Grand Lodges.
Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico
The Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico consists of 260 lodges. Its lodges work in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This Grand Lodge no longer operates as a regular Grand Lodge. Since the 1990s, it has been accused of invading the territorial jurisdiction of a number of state Grand Lodges in Mexico, as well as the territorial jurisdiction of Grand Lodges in the United States of America. Also, the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico is guilty of permitting the discussion of partisan politics in its lodges. The political parties in Mexico have been covering the resolutions and the elections of Grand Masters since 2001. As a result of these problems, the member Grand Lodges of the Confederation of Regular Mexican Grand Lodges and the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico have terminated Masonic relations with each other.
State Grand Lodges
Grand Lodge of Baja California
Grand Lodge of Baja California Sur
Grand Lodge of Campeche
Grand Lodge of Chiapas
Chihuahua: Grand Lodge Cosmos
Coahuila: Grand Lodge 'Benito Juarez' (Note: As the result of a schism in 1977, there are now two grand lodges in Coahuila using the same name, "Gran Logia 'Benito Juarez' del Estado de Coahuila." The original grand lodge, which is regular, operates out of offices located at Bahia de Ballenas #933; Colonia Nueva California; Torreon, Coahuila C.P. 27089. It is a member of the Confederation of Regular Grand Lodges of the Mexican United States.) [9]
Colima: Grand Lodge Sur-Oeste
City of Mexico: Grand Lodge of the City of Mexico (G.L.C.M.). Regular jurisdiction established in 2010, under the standards of Recognition: Legitimacy of Origin, Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction, except by mutual consent and/or treaty, and Adherence to the Ancient Landmarks (Belief in God, the Volume of Sacred Law, and the prohibition of the discussion of politics and religion).[10]
Seal of the Grand Lodge "Guadalupe Victoria" of Durango State
Durango: Grand Lodge Guadalupe Victoria. The Grand Lodge "Guadalupe Victoria" (the first president of Mexico) of Durango State is a federation of Masonic lodges of the State of Durango in Mexico. It was created in 1923, but before that date, the lodges of the state depended on the Grand Lodge of the State of Coahuila. His lodges practice exclusively the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The Grand Lodge is located in the capital of the State, Durango. It is a founding member of the Confederation of Regular Grand Lodges of the United States of Mexico. As such, it has an important role in the Mexican Freemasonry.[11] Each year it participates to the seminars of Grand Lodges of Mexico to synthesize the work on the society facts done in its lodges. The symposium ends with sending the summary of its analysis to the Government of the Mexican Republic.
Grand Lodge of Hidalgo
Jalisco: Grand Lodge Occidental Mexicana
Michoacana: Grand Lodge Lazaro Cardenas
Grand Lodge of Nayarit
Grand Lodge of Nuevo León
Oaxaca: Grand Lodge Benito Juarez Garcia
Grand Lodge of Querétaro
Grand Lodge of Quintana Roo
San Luis Potosí: Grand Lodge El Potosi
Grand Lodge of Sinaloa REAyA
Sonora: Grand Lodge Del Pacífico
Tabasco: Grand Lodge Restauración
Grand Lodge of Tamaulipas
Veracruz: Grand Lodge Unida Mexicana
Yucatán: Grand Lodge Oriental Peninsular
Le Droit Humain
The International Order of Freemasonry Le Droit Humain is a global Masonic Order, it is also present in Mexico through its Mexican Jurisdiction which has 6 lodges[12]].
Bastian, Jean-Pierre. "Protestants, Freemasons, and Spiritists: Non-Catholic Religious Socabilities and Mexico’s Revolutionary Movement, 1910–1920" in Matthew Butler, ed., Faith and Impiety in Revolutionary Mexico (London: Palgrave, 2007), pp.75–92.
Camp, Roderic A. Mexico's Leaders, Their Education & Recruitment (University of Arizona Press, 1980)
Davis, Thomas Brabson. Aspects of Freemasonry in modern Mexico: an example of social cleavage (Vantage Press, 1976)
Smith, Benjamin. "Anticlericalism, politics, and freemasonry in Mexico, 1920–1940." The Americas 65.4 (2009): 559-588. online
Weisberger, Richard William, Wallace McLeod, and S. Brent Morris, eds. Freemasonry on both sides of the Atlantic: essays concerning the craft in the British Isles, Europe, the United States, and Mexico (East European Monographs, 2002)
In Spanish
Cobos Alfaro, Felipe Amalio, "La masonería en la Revolución de Independencia" in 1810, 1910: Reflexiones sobre dos procesos históricos. Memoria, Cristina Gómez Álvarez, Josefina Mac Gregor Gárate, Mariana Ozuna Castañeda (coordinators) México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, 2010, pp.63–91 Felipe A. Cobos Alfaro "La masonería en la Revolución de Independencia"
Martínez Zaldúa, Ramón. "Historia de la Masonería en la legislación reformista de la primera generación de liberales en México." In Masonería española y América. vol. 1. Zaragoza: Centro de Estudios Históricos de la Masonería Española, 1993.
Zalce y Rodríguez, Luis J. Apuntes para la historia de la Masonería en México. 18th edition. Mexico City: Banca y Comercio 1983.
Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. Modern Freemasonry broadly consists of two main recognition groups: Regular Freemasonry, which insists that a volume of scripture be open in a working lodge, that every member professes belief in a Supreme Being, that no women be admitted, and that the discussion of religion and politics do not take place within the lodge; and Continental Freemasonry, which consists of the jurisdictions that have removed some, or all, of these restrictions.
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is one of several Rites of Freemasonry. A Rite is a progressive series of degrees conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. In the Scottish Rite the central authority is called a Supreme Council.
A Masonic lodge, often termed a private lodge or constituent lodge, is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. It is also commonly used as a term for a building in which such a unit meets. Every new lodge must be warranted or chartered by a Grand Lodge, but is subject to its direction only in enforcing the published constitution of the jurisdiction. By exception the three surviving lodges that formed the world's first known grand lodge in London have the unique privilege to operate as time immemorial, i.e., without such warrant; only one other lodge operates without a warrant – the Grand Stewards' Lodge in London, although it is not also entitled to the "time immemorial" title. A Freemason is generally entitled to visit any lodge in any jurisdiction in amity with his own. In some jurisdictions this privilege is restricted to Master Masons. He is first usually required to check, and certify, the regularity of the relationship of the Lodge – and be able to satisfy that Lodge of his regularity of membership. Freemasons gather together as a Lodge to work the three basic Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.
The York Rite, sometimes referred to as the American Rite, is one of several Rites of Freemasonry. It is named for, but not practiced in, York, Yorkshire, England. A Rite is a series of progressive degrees that are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. The York Rite specifically is a collection of separate Masonic Bodies and associated Degrees that would otherwise operate independently. The three primary bodies in the York Rite are the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Royal & Select Masters or Council of Cryptic Masons, and the Commandery of Knights Templar, each of which are governed independently but are all considered to be a part of the York Rite. There are also other organizations that are considered to be directly associated with the York Rite, or require York Rite membership to join such as the York Rite Sovereign College but in general the York Rite is considered to be made up of the aforementioned three. The Rite's name is derived from the city of York, where, according to one Masonic legend, the first meetings of Masons in England took place.
The history of Freemasonry encompasses the origins, evolution and defining events of the fraternal organisation known as Freemasonry. It covers three phases. Firstly, the emergence of organised lodges of operative masons during the Middle Ages, then the admission of lay members as "accepted" or "speculative" masons, and finally the evolution of purely speculative lodges, and the emergence of Grand Lodges to govern them. The watershed in this process is generally taken to be the formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717. The two difficulties facing historians are the paucity of written material, even down to the 19th century, and the misinformation generated by masons and non-masons alike from the earliest years.
Jahbulon or Jabulon is a word which is allegedly used in some rituals of Royal Arch Masonry and derivations thereof.
Freemasonry in Malta has a lengthy history dating from the eighteenth century. The main masonic influences have been from the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Today Regular Freemasonry is under the jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta, formed in 2004.
The Order of Mark Master Masons is an appendant order of Freemasonry that exists in some Masonic jurisdictions, and confers the degrees of Mark Mason and Mark Master.
The Knights Templar, full name The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, is a fraternal order affiliated with Freemasonry. Unlike the initial degrees conferred in a regular Masonic Lodge, which only require a belief in a Supreme Being regardless of religious affiliation, the Knights Templar is one of several additional Masonic Orders in which membership is open only to Freemasons who profess a belief in Christianity. One of the obligations entrants to the order are required to declare is to protect and defend the Christian faith. The word "United" in its full title indicates that more than one historical tradition and more than one actual order are jointly controlled within this system. The individual orders 'united' within this system are principally the Knights of the Temple, the Knights of Malta, the Knights of St Paul, and only within the York Rite, the Knights of the Red Cross.
Freemasonry in Sweden was introduced by the Swedish Order of Freemasons, founded in 1735 as the oldest still active Swedish fraternal order, working the Swedish Rite of Freemasonry. It is under royal patronage of the King of Sweden and closely associated with the Lutheran Church of Sweden. It is a jurisdiction that admits Christian men only, and is recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as a Regular Masonic jurisdiction, being the only Regular Grand Lodge that admits a 34th informal Masonic Degree. Its total membership is about 16,500.
There are many organisations and orders which form part of the widespread fraternity of Freemasonry, each having its own structure and terminology. Collectively these may be referred to as Masonic bodies, Masonic orders or appendant bodies of Freemasonry.
This is a general survey on the historical and modern presence of Freemasonry in countries located in Asia.
Born in New Hampton, New Hampshire, on February 19, 1792, Simon Wiggin Robinson was the son of Captain Noah Robinson, who served honorably in the American Revolution. Young Robinson served his country, also, in the War of 1812 when he was stationed at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as an Adjutant.
Freemasonry has had a complex relationship with women, which can be readily divided into many phases with no demonstrable relationship to each other until the 20th century. A few women were involved in Freemasonry before the 18th century; however the first printed constitutions of the Premier Grand Lodge of England appeared to bar them from the Craft forever.
Freemasonry in Denmark was first established in 1743 and is today represented by a number of Grand Lodges. The oldest and biggest Masonic Grand Lodge in Denmark is the Danish Order of Freemasons, in English also known as the Grand Lodge of Denmark.
The Royal Arch is a degree of Freemasonry. The Royal Arch is present in all main masonic systems, though in some it is worked as part of Craft ('mainstream') Freemasonry, and in others in an appendant ('additional') order. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter; in the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch as practised in the British Isles, much of Europe and the Commonwealth, Chapters confer the single degree of Royal Arch Mason.
Royal Arch Masonry is the first part of the American York Rite system of Masonic degrees. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter, and the Royal Arch Chapter confers four degrees: Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
Freemasonry in Spain is first recorded in 1728, in an English lodge. As various papal bulls condemned Freemasonry the Spanish Inquisition did their best to close lodges and demonise Freemasons, therefore the success of Freemasonry from year to year depended on the sympathy or antipathy of the ruling regime. Nevertheless, lodges and even Grand Lodges were formed, and even thrived during more liberal periods. When Francisco Franco consolidated power in 1939, all Freemasonry was banned. In 1979, four years after Franco's death, bans on Freemasonry were declared unconstitutional, and several Grand Lodges and Orients now flourish in Spain.
Freemasonry in Scotland in lodges chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland comprises the Scottish Masonic Constitution as regular Masonic jurisdiction for the majority of freemasons in Scotland. There are also lodges operating under the Scottish Masonic Constitution in countries outside of Scotland. Many of these are countries linked to Scotland and the United Kingdom through the Commonwealth of Nations and prior colonies and other settlements of the British Empire although there are several lodges in countries such as Lebanon, Belgium, Chile and Peru, which do not have such connections.
The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free And Accepted Masons of New Mexico is the oldest and largest of the two regular Masonic Grand Lodges in the State of New Mexico. It was founded on August 7, 1877, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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