Fundamental Principles

of the Great Universal Charter of Scottish Rite Higher Degrees

1. Each of the Jurisdictions signatories of the Great Universal Charter of Scottish Rite Higher Degrees is recognised by the other Signatory Jurisdictions in its quality of Sovereign Symbolic Power whose independence cannot be limited in any way by the Charter.

2. The Scottish Higher Degrees Jurisdictions signatories of the present Charter consider and assert themselves as the Conservatories of a common initiatory masonic tradition, formalised by the two historical founding Rites: on the one hand Etienne Morin’s Rite of Perfection in 25 degrees (1764), documented in the Francken manuscripts, and on the other hand the Higher Degrees of the Accepted Scottish Rite in 33 degrees (Charleston 1801) established on the bases of the Grand Constitutions of Bordeaux (1762) and of those of Frederick the Great (1786). The signatory Jurisdictions remain the joint custodians of the rituals of those two rites which were transmitted to them, and they proceed with their historical study.

3. The initiatory masonic tradition of the Scottish Higher Degrees is also based on the 1723 Constitutions of Anderson which laid the General Principles of Universal Freemasonry. Operative Freemasonry — that of the Freemasons who built the cathedrals, from the 11^th to the 17^th century — materialised the metaphysics of Light within its timeless initiatory tradition.

4. The 18^th century, the Age of Enlightenment when such initiatory tradition was constituted in the form which has come down to us, made it the depository of a philosophical corpus which it is its duty to pass on. That philosophical tradition combines spirituality and universalism, humanism, reason, progress, secularism, tolerance, and freedom of conscience and therefore a practice of permanent questioning.

5. The degree of Master Mason is a necessary and sufficient condition to take the road to perfection through the Scottish Higher Degrees which were ordered into a system following the model of the mediaeval chivalric orders in Europe in particular the order of the Knights Templar.

6. Each Jurisdiction admits Master Masons of either sex into the initiatory system which it administers, the only prerequisite being that they should be deemed able to enter the Scottish rite initiatory road offered by the Jurisdiction which they have chosen and which has chosen and received them.

7. The Scottish Rite’s Tradition is based on a reasoned initiatory progression in keeping with a spiritual hierarchy. It makes it possible to approach a knowledge of oneself and the universe, within Jurisdictions whose emblem is the Double-headed Eagle and whose motto is Ordo ab Chao.

8. There is, in the universe, a biosphere which includes several spheres, from the outside towards the centre: the human sphere of the uninitiated, the humanist masonic sphere and the initiatory masonic sphere of the Scottish Rite, the latter being the product of the jurisdictional specificity which pertains to its own view of the Scottish Rite’s Tradition, whether it invokes the Great Architect of the Universe or not. Each Jurisdiction assumes in full sovereignty its own share of the common responsibility in every sphere.

9. The Scottish Rite humanist sphere constitutes the common space in which the Scottish Rite Encounters can take place, without any initiation ceremony, thus allowing all Secret Masters to meet in the Grand Lodge of Perfection and achieving a Universal Scottish Rite Alliance. The rituals of opening and closing of the works constitute the Scottish Rite sacred masonic space which is their common denominator.

Institutes

of the Great Universal Charter of Scottish Rite Higher Degrees

The Jurisdictions of the Scottish Higher Degrees signatories of the present Great Universal Charter solemnly affirming their full and comprehensive agreement with the fundamental principles of the said Charter and wishing to have them implemented and to define a framework for them:

Observe that the Scottish Rite, the most widely practised Higher Degrees Rite in the world, pertains to a universal initiatory tradition enshrined in a spiritual hierarchy comprising thirty degrees after that of Master Mason.

Agree to include in that tradition the triple masonic, chivalric, and monastic spirit which the founders of the Rite animated and which make the initiate’s progressive improvement possible in the context of a continuing collective work.

Consider that the aforesaid tradition is based on the masonic method and on the teaching and the practice of a form of symbolism, not imposed but suggested instead. Such symbolism constitutes a common language which opens up a reflection on the future of mankind and unlimited perspectives for research.

Recognise that Scottish Rite initiations into men’s, women’s or mixed jurisdictions are equally valid, whether they are conducted in the name of a Great Architect of The Universe or not. The only condition laid by the Jurisdictions is that such initiations be conducted in the respect of the true Scottish tradition, of its rituals and of their progressive character.

Administer in total independence and full sovereignty the Lodges which depend on them while abiding by the fundamental Scottish Rite principle of Elections.

Define themselves as humanist in the sense that they place human beings at the centre of their reflections founded on reason and their actions at the service of the progress of mankind.

Undertake to work together towards building Universalism, overcoming geographical boundaries, ideological barriers and religious confinements while making it possible to create powerful links between cultures and civilisations.

Declare that absolute freedom of conscience, as the essential condition for a form of spirituality that is free and respectful of all metaphysical notions, is at the root of Universalism.

Recognise one another as Scottish Rite Powers through the act of signing the present Charter. Any form of relationship other that the Encounters pertains to the treaties signed between them in their capacity of Scottish Higher Degrees Jurisdictions.

Statutes of the

Intercontinental Encounters of Humanist Scottish Rite Jurisdictions (RIJEH) signatories of the Great Universal Charter of Scottish Rite Higher Degrees

In accordance with the tradition of Scottish rite Higher Degrees, the Scottish Rite Humanist Jurisdictions signatories of the present Charter approve the Intercontinental Encounters of Humanist Scottish Rite Jurisdictions (RIJEH), endowed with a high content of masonic work, ad intra and ad extra, to be held every two years. The RIJEH are the international body in which the Supreme Councils that are members of the Continental conferences can meet.

1. The first RIJEH, following the 25^th RIHGE were held from December 13^th to 15^th 2019 in Istanbul, a city bridging two continents, two civilisations thus illustrating symbolically the modernity of the Scottish Rite Higher Degrees, bearing their ancient initiatory tradition.

2. The RIJEH are convened, organised, and chaired by the hosting Jurisdiction, elected, if possible, at the close of the previous Encounters, and they are ruled in practice by the present document as well as by their own Scottish customs and usages.

3. Members: Any member of one of the three Continental Conferences is eligible to become a member of the RIJEH. They submit an application to the Grand Regulatory College, accompanied by the application pack required for membership of a Continental Conference. This application is examined by the Grand Regulatory College, which approves it by a 3/4 majority. The quality of member is lost after three consecutive and unexcused absences at the Continental Conference of which one is a member.

In addition to the Historic Jurisdictions and the jurisdiction which are members already (see the list at the end of the present Great Charter), voting rights are reserved to those significant Scottish Rite jurisdictions which apply according to the procedure defined in the Annex (paragraph 5) to the relevant Continental Conference and are accepted by the Great Regulatory College (see modalities in Annex paragraph 5). A copy of the application file shall be addressed to the Permanent Secretariat of GCDRE-GODF.

4. The Great Regulatory College is composed of de jure members and of elected members.

The de jure members are the historic 18^th and/or 19^th century Scottish jurisdiction per country with a right of veto for his country with a reasoned opinion and, only exceptionally, a second one, provided there are historical justifications, including the International Order of Co-Freemasonry “LE DROIT HUMAIN” and the “Suprême Conseil Féminin de France” considered as historically representing women’s initiation.

In addition to Historic Jurisdictions, other de jure members are Jurisdictions which are members of the Continental Conferences and whose membership exceeds 500 active members.

The elected members represent the Continental Conferences of the various Jurisdictions of the countries, to the extent of one elected member in excess of the de jure members per Continental Conference. The new members elected by each Continental Conference having submitted their application pursuant to the file provided for in the Annex, are nominated, after a three-quarters majority vote, as new members of the Great Regulatory College by the corresponding Continental Conference, with a three months’ notice for inclusion in the agenda of the next RIJEH and a vote of the Great Regulatory College. The inviting Jurisdiction sends the agenda to the invited Jurisdiction within one month before the opening of the RIJEH.

5. The Great Regulatory College must meet immediately before each RIJEH in order to carry out the various validations, votes, or decisions within its field of competence and to inform of the same the members of the Continental Conferences present as early as at the first meeting. The Great Regulatory College takes its decisions by a majority vote of three quarters of the voters.

On a proposal from the Permanent Secretariat GCDRE – GODF in charge of international coordination and which organises and centralises the results after it has forwarded the documents to all the members of the Great Regulatory College, digital votes (Internet) can be carried out, e-mails being proof.

6. The costs of the organisation of the encounters are borne by the participating Jurisdictions depending on the number of their members: under 99 for one share of the contributions, from 99 to 999 for two shares, over 999 for three shares, it being understood that the living expenses of the representatives of the jurisdictions (transportation, hotel, restaurants) are of a private nature.

Before the RIJEH, the organising Jurisdiction shall draft a provisional budget of the Encounters as regards revenue and expenditure, together with reasonable suggestions for financial participations, required on the one hand from the Jurisdictions and on the other hand from the participants whether they belong to the delegations or not. Those are communicated to every participating Jurisdiction within three months before the date appointed for the RIJEH. An electronic vote organised by the “treasurer” Jurisdiction appointed beforehand and belonging to the secretariat of the RIJEH will validate those suggestions which will then become binding for all.

Within three months following the RIJEH, the organising Jurisdiction will communicate a financial report to every participating Jurisdiction.

7. The Encounters or Continental Conferences are held under the chairmanship of the Jurisdiction of the organising country, which handles the organisation, takes care of the presentation, and prepares the agenda comprising the following activities:

• The welcoming of delegations and organisation of a meeting of participating Sovereign Grand Commanders and Grand Chancellors in charge of international relations, followed by a presentation of Jurisdictions.
• A debate and a vote by the Continental Conferences and the Great Regulatory College on the acceptance of new applying Jurisdictions, or other particular decisions.
• A meeting open to the public upon invitation on the values stemming from the Scottish Rite, at the discretion of the organising Jurisdiction.
• A seminar reserved to the participants on a subject specific to the Scottish Higher Degrees.
• The choice of the place and the name of the organising Jurisdiction for the next Encounter or Continental Conference, and the choice of the next subject.
• Conclusions or final statement.
• A meeting of the Grand lodge of Perfection, presided by the organising Jurisdiction, constituting the central element of the Encounters from the point of view of the Rite, including no initiation and no elevation.

The Intercontinental Encounters and each organising Continental Conference shall write a synthesis of work and address it to the Permanent Secretariat of the GCDRE – GODF within two months after the event. The Permanent Secretariat of the GCDRE – GODF will distribute it to the members of the Continental Conferences involved and to the Great Regulatory College. The Supreme Council for Turkey will coordinate the posting of information on a dedicated website.

8. Feedback from the Encounters makes it possible to modify those rules, not for them to come to a federation of Jurisdictions, but to make them a vector of concord and harmonised work between all Jurisdictions. Any member of the continental Conferences may suggest a modification to the present regulations after having consulted electronically the members of the Continental Conference involved. Requests for modifications will be transmitted electronically to the Great Regulatory College by the Permanent Secretariat of the GCDRE – GODF to which they are addressed and which takes them in consideration and follows them up. After the Great Regulatory College has pronounced an advice and a decision concerning possible new modifications or corrections, an amended new Charter will be distributed by the Permanent Secretariat of the GCDRE – GODF to all the members of the Continental Conferences.

9. In addition to the Permanent Secretariat of the GCDRE – GODF in charge of international coordination, the Encounters is equipped with an administrative secretariat comprising mandatorily the previous and the next organising Jurisdictions, to ensure the distribution of results, the exchange of information, the translations, and the preparation of the next encounters. It liaises with the Permanent Secretariat of the GCDRE – GODF.

The present document supersedes and replaces all previous documents. It becomes the reference document concerning the various rules.

The Scottish Rite Humanist Jurisdictions

1. SUPREME COUNCIL GRAND COLLEGE OF SCOTTISH RITES – GODF: 1764-1804
2. SUPREME COUNCIL GRAND LODGE OF ITALY: 1805
3. SUPREME MASONIC COUNCIL OF SPAIN: 1811
4. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GREAT COLLEGE OF AASR FOR BELGIUM: 1817
5. SOVEREIGN COLLEGE OF THE SCOTTISH RITE FOR BELGIUM: 1817-1962
6. SUPREME COUNCIL OF PORTUGAL: 1804-1844
7. SUPREME COUNCIL FOR TURKEY: 1861
8. SUPREME COUNCIL OF HUNGARY: 1871
9. INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF CO-MASONRY “LE DROIT HUMAIN”: 1893
10. OMEGA SUPREME COUNCIL OF NEW YORK: 1963
11. SUPREME COUNCIL FOR THE HELVETIC CONFEDERATION: 1964
12. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE AASR OF MOROCCO: 1964
13. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL OF FRANCE: 1970
14. SUPREME COUNCIL GRAND ORIENT OF CHILE: 1972
15. SUPREME COUNCIL FRANCISCO DE MONTEZUMA: 1981
16. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE HELVETIC CONFEDERATION: 1985
17. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GRAND COLLEGE OF AASR OF THE GRAND ORIENT AND ASSOCIATED LODGES OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): 1989
18. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GRAND COLLEGE CONGO: 1990
19. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE CEDARS OF LEBANON: 1995
20. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL MASONIC ORDER “DELPHI”: 1996
21. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL OF THE 33^rd AND FINAL DEGREE OF THE AASR OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA: 1998
22. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GRAND COLLEGE OF AASR OF LUXEMBURG: 2003
23. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL OF ITALY: 2005
24. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL OF CHILE: 2005
25. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE FEDERAL GRAND ORIENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC (GOFRA): 2005
26. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE 33° OF THE AASR FOR THE REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY: 2008
27. SUPREME COUNCIL OMEGA OF THE 33° OF THE AASR OF FREEMASONRY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF COLUMBIA: 2008
28. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL OF PORTUGAL: 2009
29. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GREAT EQUATORIAL ORIENT OF THE NEW ERA (GROENE): 2009
30. SUPREME COUNCIL OF POLAND: 2011
31. COLOMBIAN SUPREME CENTRAL COUNCIL: 2012
32. SUPREME COUNCIL OF RUMANIA: 2015
33. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL OF TURKEY: 2016
34. SUPREME COUNCIL OF CROATIA: 2018
35. WOMEN’S SUPREME COUNCIL 33° OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA: 2019
36. SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN: 2022
37. SUPREME MIXED SYMBOLIC COUNCIL OF PORTUGAL: 2022

The Great Regulatory College is composed of:

• The Grand College of Scottish Rites – Grand Orient of France (Permanent Secretariat).
• The Supreme Council of Italy.
• The Supreme Council of Spain.
• The Supreme Council for Portugal.
• The Supreme Council for Turkey.
• The Supreme Council of Hungary.
• The Supreme Council of the International Order of Co-masonry “Le Droit Humain”.
• The Women’s Supreme Council of France.
• The Sovereign College of the Scottish Rite for Belgium.
• The Women’s Supreme Council of Turkey.

And of one Jurisdiction elected by each Continental Conference for a period of five years, renewable:

• Continental Conference of North and South America: Supreme Council of the Republic of Uruguay, elected in September 2019 and re-elected in 2024.
• Continental Conference of Europe and the Mediterranean: application files to be put forward for election before the Continental Conference and then the Great Regulatory College.