CONSTITUTION of the GRAND MASONIC ORIENT OF IRELAND

"Whereas Freemasonry is not a religion and has therefore no doctrine or dogma to affirm in its constitution, this Assembly has decided and decreed the following:

Being an Institution essentially philanthropic, philosophic, and progressive, Freemasonry has for its object, search after truth, study of universal morality, science and arts, and the practice of benevolence.

It has for its principles absolute liberty of conscience and human solidarity. It excludes no person on account of his belief, and its motto is:  'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity."

The freedom and right of a Lodge to practice its Craft ritual of choice. 

 In our lodges the Book of Conscience and the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland is displayed.

The Grand Orient Masons resent the accusation that they promulgated unbelief and atheism. In fact the disappearance of the original article of belief will not imply a profession of atheism, but merely an admission into the Craft of men of all opinions, and that Masonry should welcome men of all denominations and every shade of thought.

The Grand Orient of Ireland, while it respects all philosophical beliefs, insists upon absolute liberty of belief. This does not mean that we banish from our lodges the belief in God. The United Grand Lodge of England, Grand Lodge of Scotland and Ireland on the contrary desire to make a belief in God compulsory. The Grand Orient of Ireland is liberal, since in proclaiming the absolute liberty of belief it permits to each one of its members the liberty to believe or not to believe in God, and by so doing desires to respect its members in their convictions, their doctrines and their beliefs.

To introduce instructions, lectures, seminars, colloquia and access to Masonic literature and instruction.

To hold a yearly communication and General Assembly of Masons each year.

An equilibrium between Masonic work, instruction and science and charitable and social duties.

The option of reading the Masonic ritual in Lodge.

Transparency in Grand Lodge decisions and affairs.

The reinstatement of the Mark Mason Ceremony as a complement of the Fellow Craft Degree and as 4th degree of Craft Masonry. The GMOIRL got the charter from GOdF for the constitution of a Grand Chapter French Rite in Ireland. Other member lodges, from their tradition and origin, and basing on the freedom of ritual choice, are working  the High Degrees of AASR or other higher masonic degrees. They have the choice to work the Higher Degrees French Rite as well if so desired.

The lodges of the GMOIRL is a mixed system. We initiate men and women.

Freemasonry is a traditional and initiatic Fraternity Order based on the Mysteries and Traditions of the Ancient Craft Masons. It constitutes an alliance of free men and women of good repute, of all origins, cultural backgrounds, nationalities and faiths.

The goal of Freemasonry is the moral improvement of humankind.

To that end, Freemasons work towards the constant improvement of the condition of humankind, both on the spiritual and the material levels. Freemasons recognize each other as Brethren and Sisters and owe each other help and assistance. In the constant search for truth and justice, Freemasons accept no hindrance and set themselves no limits.

They respect other people’s opinions and the free expression thereof. Freemasons seek the conciliation of the opposites and want to unite men in the actual practice of a universal set of morals, and in the respect of everyone’s personality. Freemasons regard work as a right and a duty. Freemasons respect the laws and the legitimate authority of the country where they freely live and meet.

Freemasons are enlightened and disciplined citizens and model their existence on the demands of their conscience. Freemasons, in the joint pursuit of the same ideals, recognize each other by means of words, signs and grips that are communicated traditionally in Lodge during the Initiation ceremonies.

The words, signs and grips, as well as the Rites and the symbols, are based on old craft traditions of craft guilds.

PRINCIPLES

Each Freemason is free to disclose his Masonic membership or not, but he may not reveal that of a Brother or Sister without his/her consent.

The Freemasons join together to form, according to Masonic tradition, private groups known as Masonic Lodges.

Lodges are governed according to the decisions made by the majority of Master Masons gathered in stated meeting.

Lodges can group together to form a Grand Lodge/Grand Orient, a national and independent body, guardian of tradition, exerting undivided and exclusive jurisdiction over the degrees of symbolic Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason and Mark Mason.

The Grand Lodge is governed in accordance with the traditional principles of Universal Masonry, with their own constitutions and with the laws they have promulgated for themselves.

They respect the sovereignty and independence of the other Masonic bodies and don’t allow themselves any interference in their internal affairs. They maintain among themselves the relationships necessary to the cohesion of Universal Freemasonry.

They freely enter treaties and fraternal alliances among themselves but do not acknowledge any Masonic authority, national or international, superior to their own.

They decide on their regulations alone and in a sovereign manner and take care alone of their own administration.

Thus is maintained the universal character of the Masonic Order, respectful of the personality of each national Masonic body, of the autonomy of each Lodge and of the individual freedom of each Brother and Sister, so that Love, Harmony and Concord might reign among all Freemasons.

MASONIC TRIANGLE

Any three Master Masons may constitute a "Triangle", that is a minimal lodge, which may meet ritually but may not Initiate, Pass or Raise. It is the first step to form a lodge.

MASONIC LODGE

Following officers compose the officers team: The WM, the SW, the JW, the Expert/Lecturer, the Director of Ceremonies, the Secretary/Treasurer (called Administrator in our system and incorporates both tasks), Inner Guard/Tyler.

How many masons form a lodge?

Three, five and seven. Which means 3 masters, 2 fellow crafts & 2 apprentices. 

How many masons do you need to operate a lodge for a  Passing and Raising ceremony?  A minimum of 5 Master Masons and members in the respective degree.

A ballot can only  take place when 7 MMs are present which are members of the lodge.

It needs 7 master masons to found a lodge after having submitted a signed petition to the Grand Council.