Bold Move Made By Freemasons!

Message:
>
> Dear MW Sirs, RW Sirs, VW Sirs, Worshipful Sirs and Bretren,
>
> Please allow us to post in your website the Declaration of Independence of
> the two Masonic Districts comprising of nine Lodges of the Most Worshipful
> Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, to wit:
>
> DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
>
> >
> WE, the officers and members of the Masonic Blue Lodges herein
> jointly assembled, do hereby DECLARE that: >
>
> Freemasonry is, and has always been, a progressive science whose
> growth, throughout the ages, has been borne on the wings of change. From
> its inception in the early 17th century, the Fraternity has spread and in
> the unrelenting pursuit of light, new Grand Lodges were constituted which
> process of continuous regeneration is the very life blood and binding
> force of the Craft. >
>
> WE hold the following ancient Masonic landmarks as the rule and
> guide of the craft by which all masons must abide by and comply with:
>
> That all Freemasons are obligated only in so far as that
> obligation will not interfere with the duty that they owe to God, their
> country, their neighbors or to themselves. That the Craft is a peculiar
> system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols and its
> aim has been, and will always be, the brotherhood of man under the
> fatherhood of God. And, that Grand Lodges are instituted among
> Freemasons and derive its just powers only from and with the consent of
> the governed.
> > WE hold it to be true that all Masons are created equal, endowed
> with certain unalienable rights such as to assemble in lodges, elect
> officers to govern their affairs, make new Masons according to the ancient
> traditions and landmarks of the Craft, visit lodges, celebrate fellowship
> at festive boards and engage in all activities that traditional Lodges of
> Freemasonry, since time immemorial, have practiced in the pursuit of
> happiness.
>
> However, human frailties is the enemy of all human institutions
> and through the passage of time, philosophical ideals are enshrined into
> rigid rules and practices that eventually become destructive to the aims
> of the original principles upon which they are based. >
>
> It is at this juncture that all institutions should be altered and NEW
> ONES INSTITUTED based upon the original principles and ancient landmarks
> of the Craft in order to effect and protect the HONOR, INTEGRITY and
> GENERAL WELFARE of those who are subject to them.
> >
> WE acknowledge that among all human beings, Freemasons willingly
> capacitate themselves to practice the virtue to await a time with patience
> and know fully well that the change in the system of government in
> Freemasonry should not be enacted without due cause. >
>
> But the reality and in the course of the past and present events, it has
> become inevitably necessary for us to dissolve the political bond which
> have connected us with The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and
> Accepted Masons of the Philippines and assume the powers of Freemasonry,
> that is, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and
> that of the Great Architect has entitled us.
> >
> The geographical situation of the country hinders the efficient and
> regular official visitation by the Grand Lodge of subordinate lodges which
> is the important duty to maintain and improve harmonious relations among
> brethren and that management thereof has been outgrown by its present
> size.
> In the light of these due causes, WE are now compelled to assert our
> rights, as freemen and masons, to abolish our former system of Masonic
> government and institute a new one based and founded upon the original
> principles and ancient landmarks of the Craft. >
>
> Thus, WE, the Freemasons herein jointly assembled hereby do ordain and
> unanimously declare our independence and institute and constitute THE MOST
> WORSHIPFUL UNITED GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PHILIPPINES.
> >
> Done in the City of Tacloban, Leyte , Philippines, in the 8 th day of the
> month of July, in the year of our Lord 2006.
>
>
>
> Signed:
>
> The Worshipful Masters, Senior Wardens, Junior Warden and Bretren of :
> Masonic District RVIII-B
> 1. Makabugwas Lodge No. 47
> 2. Tacloban Lodge No. 221
> 3. Santiago Chua Lodge No. 336
> 4. Ormoc Lodge No. 234
> 5. Sogod Bay Lodge No. 337
> 6. Biliran Lodge No. 337
> Masonic District RVIII-A
> 1. Mt. Huraw Lodge No. 98
> 2. Northern Samar Lodge No. 211
> 3. East Gate Lodge No. 232
>
> Bro. Nicolas C. Risos, PDGL
> Secretary - Makabugwas Lodge No. 47
> Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines