FROM THE SECRETARY’S TABLE
Masonic Law and Customs-The Formation of New Lodges
Greetings Brethren! The grand Lodge has been busy instituting and chartering new lodge at a pace faster than it has practiced for many years. I believe the brethren will find interesting, California Masonic law that pertains to lodge formation. I have included it as follows. Please enjoy!
PART 8 CONSTITUENT LODGES CHAPTER 1 FORMATION AND CHARTER §801.010. FORMATION.
A Lodge can be formed only by authority of a dispensation from the Grand Master, or of a Charter issued by Grand Lodge. A Charter shall not be granted to any Lodge until it has worked a time under dispensation, and has exhibited to Grand Lodge satisfactory evidence of its Masonic capability. Grand Lodge has the sole right to grant or direct a Charter to be issued to worthy Master Masons if qualified. If any Lodge duly chartered by any Grand Body recognized by this Jurisdiction shall, with the consent and approval of such Grand Body, petition Grand Lodge for a Charter, Grand Lodge shall have the power to issue a Charter to the Lodge upon such terms and in such manner as it deems proper without any Dispensation having been issued. The anniversary of the formation of the Lodge is the date of the issuance of the Dispensation by the Grand Master, not the date of the Charter. [Source: Section 710 of the 1991 California Masonic Code.]
Article pertaining to Masonic Law and Customs will appear in future issues of our Trestleboard.
Fraternally,
Clarence D. Kussner, P.M., Secretary.
