At a press conference dedicated to the rule of law on Wednesday, June 17, the Grand Orient of France (GODF) reaffirmed its commitment to playing a greater role in public debate. The Masonic order, which claims 55,000 members in nearly 1,400 lodges, including over a hundred abroad, advocates a stance it describes as "liberal and non-dogmatic," based on absolute freedom of conscience, universalism, and mutual tolerance.
An obedience that wants to strengthen its cohesion and visibility
The council of the order has taken stock of an obedience described as "calm" and "fully mobilized" to uphold its values. Among the stated priorities: strengthening ties between the 1,400 lodges and the national organization so that members, the "brothers and sisters," feel more involved in the collective project.
To this end, the Grand Orient is promoting new communication and training tools: development of thematic podcasts, promotion of the museum and the foundation, creation of a digital newsletter intended to report on the events and life of the obedience.
This strategy also responds to a broader desire: to make the Grand Orient more visible in the public sphere and to expand its capacity to intervene beyond the lodges.
Promoting values in society without partisan affiliation
The Grand Orient proclaims an ambition summarized by a phrase repeated during the conference: "Change the individual to change society." The idea put forward is that the reflective work carried out within the lodge should be able to enrich society as a whole.
During the press conference on Wednesday, June 17, Pierre Bertinotti, Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France, reiterated three central principles: mutual tolerance, universalism, and absolute freedom of conscience. He also emphasized a method based on listening: within the lodges, the objective is not to convince but to enrich collective reflection while respecting the diversity of opinions.
For the Masonic order, its "struggle" lies neither in partisan politics nor in issuing voting instructions, which it claims to reject, but in actively disseminating its principles throughout society. Its members are encouraged to engage in community life, particularly at the local level, while the order itself increases its interactions with elected officials and public decision-makers to publicize its positions.
Rule of law, secularism and artificial intelligence: clearly stated positions
The press conference also allowed the Grand Orient to outline several key positions. The order reaffirmed its commitment to secularism, going so far as to defend its inclusion in the Constitution, as well as its opposition to any religious influence on state decisions.
In response to contemporary debates, she also emphasized the need to preserve civil liberties and to rebuild the social contract. Regarding artificial intelligence, one of the identified challenges is the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood in a context of rapidly circulating information.
When questioned about current political debates, Pierre Bertinotti stated that national preference is incompatible with Freemasonry's universalist vision and contradicts the principles of the rule of law. Finally, the order has expressed its desire to revamp its image, notably through a youth division tasked with developing connections with those under 35, while the average age of its members is currently estimated at 61.
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We should call a spade a spade, and not kitty or little doll…
To claim that national preference is incompatible with a universalist vision is cute… To state clearly that the National Rally (RN) supports national preference and opposes the values of the Grand Orient of France (GODF) is not partisan politics! It's common sense that must be embraced… “Courage is seeking the truth and speaking it” (Jean Jaurès… who wasn't a Freemason…)
I completely agree with you. Freemasonry is universal, and the National Rally, which is the heir to the Pétainists, must be fought relentlessly. It's important to remember that when Franco landed in southern Spain, he had several hundred Freemasons executed.
Exactly…
Well done, I would add that it seems illogical to talk about universality and then abandon women, who have become what?
The question is often asked where the Roman Catholic Church was between 1941 and 1945 during the Nazi genocide of the Jews, and what it did with its moral authority. Its silence is generally condemned.
What will you do in a few years when you are asked where you were during the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank? What will become of your universalism? Don't you think your silence could be condemned?