Le Droit Humain
The International Order of Freemasonry Le Droit Humain is a global Masonic Order, membership of which is available to men and women on equal terms, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnicity. The Order is founded on the ancient teachings and traditions of Freemasonry, using Masonic ritual and symbolism as its tools in the search for truth. On the individual level, the Order aims "to promote the progress of individual worth, without the imposition of dogma, or exacting the abandonment of cultural or religious ideas". On a collective level it works "to unite men and women who agree on a humanist spirituality whilst respecting individual and cultural differences".
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In contrast with other Masonic organisations which operate in national or state jurisdiction only, Le Droit Humain is a global fraternity with many Federations and Jurisdictions worldwide, each of which work the Scottish Rite from the 1st to the 33rd degree. The Order is administered by the Supreme Council, which has its headquarters in Paris. Within the International Constitution, however, member Federations have the freedom of self-governance.
Presence throughout the world
Le Droit Humain has lodges in the following countries:[1]
Africa
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia.
Asia
Israel, Japan, Lebanon. Syria
Australia
Brisbane, The Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Daylesford, Adelaide.[2]
Europe
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia (Slovak Republic), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Belgium
The Belgian Federation of Le Droit Humain (French: la Fédération Belge du Droit Humain; Dutch: Belgische Federatie van Le Droit Humain) is a Belgian cupola of masonic lodges which is accessible for men and women, and works in the 33 symbolic degrees of freemasonry. The first Belgian Lodge of Le Droit Humain was founded in 1912.[3][4]
Great Britain
The British Federation of the International Order of Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain was the first Federation to be established outside France, thus making the Order truly International. On 26 September 1902 Lodge Human Duty No. 6 was consecrated by the Grand Master, The V. Ills. S. Marie Martin 33°, assisted by Officers of the Supreme Council, including one of the Co-Founders of the Order, Georges Martin 33°. The first Master of the Lodge was Annie Besant, who would become the first Grand Commander of the British Federation.
The British Federation works the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite from the 1st to the 33rd degree inclusive. In addition the Allied Degrees of Mark, Royal Ark Mariner, Excellent Master, Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem, Knights Templar and Royal Order of Scotland are worked.
North America
Canada, Mexico, and United States of America.
Oceania
Australia.
South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Regularity and recognition
Le Droit Humain is in mutual amity with the following Orders (meaning recognition is reciprocal and members can intervisit):
Le Droit Humain recognises the following Masonic Orders (but is not reciprocally recognised by them as a regular Masonic Order):
- United Grand Lodge of England
- The 51 "mainstream" Grand Lodges in the United States (one for each State plus the District of Columbia)
- Prince Hall Masons
See also
External links
References
- Le Droit Humain - English language section Le Droit Humain worldwide, retrieved 14 October 2013
- www.freemasonryformenandwomen.org.au
- Ed. Droit Humain, Histoire de la fédération belge du Droit Humain, 2 Vol., Bruxelles, 1982–1984
- Peter Bormans (ed.), Vrijmetselarij, VUB 1974
