Centre de Liaison et d'Information des Puissances maçonniques Signataires de l'Appel de Strasbourg
Centre de Liaison et d'Information des Puissances maçonniques Signataires de l'Appel de Strasbourg | |
| Abbreviation | CLIPSAS |
|---|---|
| Formation | January 22, 1961[1] |
| Type | International Liberal Masonic organization |
| Legal status | Active NGO with UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status |
| Purpose |
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| Headquarters | Paris, France[2] |
| Members | 91 Masonic obediences |
Official languages | French, English, Spanish |
President | Louis Daly |
Main organ | General Assembly |
| Website | clipsas |
| Legal status: Association under French law of 1901 | |
| Part of a series on |
| Freemasonry |
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CLIPSAS (Centre de Liaison et d'Information des Puissances maçonniques Signataires de l'Appel de Strasbourg) (English: "Liaison and Information Center of Masonic Powers Signatories of the Strasbourg Appeal") is an international Masonic organization that serves as the primary coordinating body for liberal Masonic activities.[3] CLIPSAS was established in 1961 through the Strasbourg Appeal as a more inclusive alternative to the United Grand Lodge of England. The organization maintains Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and comprises over 101 member obediences across four continents.[4][5]
History
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) maintained strict requirements regarding belief in a Supreme Being and prohibition of political and religious discussions.[6]
On January 22, 1961, several sovereign Masonic obediences convened in Strasbourg to address these challenges. The original signatories include:[7][8]
- Grand Orient of Switzerland
- Grand Orient of Austria
- Grand Orient of Luxembourg
- Serenísima Gran Logia de Lengua Española
- Grand Orient of France
- Grand Orient of Italy
- Grand Orient of Belgium
Presidents
| Years | President | Obedience |
|---|---|---|
| 1961–1962 | Georges Beernaerts | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1962–1964 | Charles Castel | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1964–1966 | Walter Heinz | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1966 | Paul Van Hercke | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1966–1970 | Robert Dille | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1970–1973 | Victor Martiny | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1973–1976 | Pierre Burton | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1976–1979 | Jaak Nutkewitz | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1979–1982 | André Mechelynck | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1982–1985 | Nicolas Bontyes | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1985–1987 | Silvain Loccufier | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1987–1990 | Guy Vlaeminck | Grand Orient of Belgium |
| 1990–1993 | Jean-Robert Ragache | Grand Orient of France |
| 1993–1996 | Marc-Antoine Cauchie | Grand Orient of Luxembourg |
| 1996–1998 | Marie-France Coquard | Grande Loge Féminine de France |
| 1998–2000 | Javier Otaola Bajeneta | Grande Loge Symbolique Espagnole |
| 2000–2004 | Marc-Antoine Cauchie | Grand Orient of Luxembourg |
| 2004–2007 | Gabriel Nzambila | Grands Orients et Loge Associée du Congo |
| 2007–2008 | Jefferson Isaac João Scheer | Grande Loja Unida do Parana |
| 2008–2011 | Marc-Antoine Cauchie | Grand Orient of Luxembourg |
| 2011–2014 | António Reis | Grande Oriente Lusitano |
| 2014–2017 | Louis Daly | Grande Loge Omega de New-York |
| 2017–2021 | François Padovani | Grande Loge Mixte de France |
| 2021–2024 | Ivan Herrera Michel | Federacion Colombiana de Logias Masónicas |
Current Member Obediences
CLIPSAS includes over 101 member obediences as of 2024 but shrunk to 91 denominations after the 2024 General Assembly in Albania.[5]
Controversies and Criticism
Governance issues
During the 2022 General Assembly in Lisbon, Portugal, President Ivan Herrera Michel and the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Portugal reportedly had a lack of communication between members as many COVID-19 cases within the group were reported after the event. The organizers also used internet voting instead of using the usual voting system with terminals which led to confusion, notably when the voting for the inclusion of the Grand Orient of Andorra was reversed from their actual choice.[9]
The assembly also had a reinstatement vote for the previously suspended Grand Orient of Mexico, in which the president reportedly left the room during vote to take a Covid PCR test for a flight.[9]
Electoral Controversy of 2024
During the 2024 General Assembly in Durrës, Albania, Louis Daly won the election with only 32.06% of votes. This led to immediate protests from multiple member obediences who argued Daly violated their regulations. Then president Michel declared him the winner, prompting more than 15 Obediences to abandon the group.[10]
See also
References
- ^ "Centre de liaison et d'information des puissances maçonniques signataires de l'Appel de Strasbourg (CLIPSAS)". Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ^ "General Rules of CLIPSAS". Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "Histoire" (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ^ "United Nations Civil Societies Participation". Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ^ a b "Que es CLIPSAS?" (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ^ "United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)". Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "Membres". Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "CLIPSAS members". Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ a b "Du rififi au CLIPSAS… est-ce qu'il y a un Président à bord ?". Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "Les dirigeants du CLIPSAS ne reconnaissent plus la liberté de la presse". Retrieved 15 June 2026.