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Editorial

On May 29. 2010 the Swiss Research Group Alpina celebrated its 25th anniversary. An in-depth reflection on the purpose, utility and part played by the research lodges in the world inspired the meeting.

And first of all a precise definition seemed to be necessary. Indeed it appears clearly that the very concept of such research lodges is not always quite clear to many of the brethren and a full explanation had to be furnished.

Answers were given during a simple, convivial and fraternal ceremony attended by many brethren, among whom Wbro. Dr. John Wade, WM of Quator Coronati Lodge Nr. 2076 in London, and Wbro John Acaster, Secretary of Quatuor Coronati London ; the past Grand Master of the Grande Loge de France, R.W.B. Alain Graesel, WBro. Alain Chambron, W.M. of the Research Lodge Jean Scot Erigène of the Grande Loge de France, WBro. Jean-Paul Holstein W.M. of the Research Lodge Villard de Honnecourt of the Grande Loge Nationale Française, WBro.Rafaele Stoppini, W.M. of the Research Lodge "Quator Coronati" Peruggia (Italy) and WBro. Dr Roger Dachez, president of the French Masonic Institute. Also present were the dignitaries of the Swiss Grand Lodge Alpina, first of among them the W.G.M. Bro. Bruno Welti and Bro. Jean Michel Mascherpa G.M. elect.

Expected were answers suggested by an obvious perplexity facing a new model of society. Since ist creation at the threshold of the 18th century, Freemasonry always remained true to a kind of humanism often indirectly led to historical and political upheavels among european nations.

In recent times, we have become witness to the birth of a new worldwide global perception of an hitherto unobserved face of humanism. And as Gilles Lipovetsky wrote in Métamorphoses de l’humanisme : « Nowadays 18th century humanism which carried a vast emancipation project, but which also drove for structural reasons to imperialism and colonisation, has been replaced by a post colonial and post methaphysical humanism, a humanism better oriented to the closeness of our fellow humans, of empathy and solidarity which progressively blossomed at the end of the 20th century ».

As Michel Jaccard, wrote for our 20th birthday publication MASONICA : “The worldwide tendency of Research Lodges advocating historical research, which adopts an ever-present materiaslism, useful as it might be, should rather insist on the spiritual foundations of human fellowship [...] so as to contribute impetus thoughts to the researcher for his spiritual enlightenment [...] in order to bring the Spirit closer”.

The speaker, WBro. Jean-Pierre Augier, past grand orator to the french speaking section of Swiss Grand Lodge Alpina brilliantly propounded: “Research Lodge at the service of Freemasonry. Therefore they must contribute to the Craft, as a whole, to the Jurisdictions and to the Lodges, as well as to the Masons individuals. In a effort to be really useful, the masonic research should bring concrete answer to the needs of Freemasonry. It should not be working for itself as a recluse. In order to determine in which direction it is advisable to work for the future, it must first define what Freemasonry and Masons really need.” These words were to be confirmed immediatly and brilliantly by Bro, Dr. Roger Dachez.

Doubtless we find here the path to be followed, by Freemasons. Jean-Pierre Augier confirms this: “Mutual salvation can only come from the rise of the level of human conscience, rise that can only be attained by individual progress. Of course, not all men can achieve an ultimate level of conscience. But to shun threatening menace, it is crucial for the future that humanity might be able to rely on a percentage of men inwardly well enough strengthened and in a state of mental equilibirum making it possible to turn to the scales toward wisdom rather than collective madness”.

Of course this slow personnal transformation, i.e. to « individuation », experienced together within the lodges, remains fundamental and should be independent of any influences due to differences between juridictions, such a model exists in conferedate states like Swizterland which benefits from fidelity to their creed: “a Freemason in a free lodge”. Thus, the research lodges taken together bear the responsability of keeping untouched the ageless inheritage being the roots of any spirituality and of taking care of its proper application. They represent the solid foundations of true Tradition. Theirs is the responsibility of making sure that any distortion of the immemorial principles of the founding fathers, is kept at a distance for no temple can be built on sand and even less on mud.

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