All the Grand Lodges of the world, all the Lodges, all Free-Masons consider the text of the

Old Charges

as the
Fundamental Law of Universal Freemasonry.

The constant and strict respect of this tradition, despite the diversity of nature of the Grand Lodges of thevarious countries, despite the variety of the Lodges composing them, despite the particular tendencies of the Brethren of all races, all nationalities, all faiths and all opinions composing them, ensure it universal character to the Masonic Order and allows all Free-Masons to recognize each other as Brethren. These traditional rules are our cement and our bond. They are of both a moral and practical nature. They set the broad outlines for the life of Grand Lodges and Lodges, and prescribe to all our Brethren intangible moral imperatives. They maintain the framework of Masonic work, perpetual quest for freedom and justice, sheltered from any religious and political quarrel. They allow Free-Masonry to constitute that true Center of Union where meet, fraternally, men who without it would have perpetually remained strangers to each other. The Grand Lodge of France has decided, during its Grand Lodge Communication of the year of True Light 5967, to place the text of the Old Charges at the front of its own

CONSTITUTIONS

as a reference to the pure and authentic Masonic tradition it means to uphold.

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THE OLD CHARGES
of
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

The General Heads,
Viz.:
I- Of God and Religion.
II- Of the Civil Magistrate Supreme and Subordinate.
III- Of Lodges.
IV- Of Masters, Wardens, Fellows, and Apprentices.
V- Of the Management of the Craft in working.
VI- Of Behaviour, viz.
   1- In the Lodge while constituted.
   2- After the Lodge is over and the Brethren not gone.
   3- When Brethren meet without Strangers, but not in a Lodge.
   4- In Presence of Strangers not Masons.
   5- At Home, and in the Neighbourhood.
   6- Towards a strange Brother.


Compiled by the Author in their Old Records, by order of the Grand Master, the present Duke of Montagu. Approved by the Grand Lodge and printed by order in the first Edition of the Book of Constitutions, on the 25 March 1722.


I- Concerning God an Religion.
A Mason is oblig'd, by this Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid atheist, nor an irreligious libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg'd in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men an true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguish'd; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remain'd at a perpetual Distance.

II- Of the Civil Magistrate Supreme and Subordinate.
A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots an Conspiracies against the Peace an Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been much dispos'd to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty, whereby they practically answer'd the Cavils of their Adversaries, and promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish'd in Times of Peace. So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State, he is not to be countenanc'd in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy Man; and, if convicted of no other Crime, though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible.

III- Of Lodges.
A Lodge is a Place where Masons assemble and work: Hence that Assembly, or duly organiz'd Society of Masons, is call'd a Lodge, and every Brother ought to belong to one, and to be subject to its By-Laws and the General Regulations. It is either particular or general, and will be best understood by attending it, and by the Regulations of the General or Grand Lodge hereunto annex'd. In ancient Times, no Master or Fellow could be absent from it, especially when warn'd to appear at it, without incurring a severe Censure, until it appear'd to the Master and Wardens, that pure Necessity hinder'd him. The Persons admitted Members of a Lodge must be good and true Men, free-born, and of mature and discreet Age, no Bondmen, no Women, no immoral or scandalous Men, but of good Report.

IV- Of Masters, Wardens, Fellows, and Apprentices.
All Preferment among Masons is grounded upon real Worth and personal Merit only; that so the Lords may be well served, the Brethren not put to Shame, nor the Royal Craft despis'd: Therefore no Master or Warden is chosen by seniority, but for his Merit. It is impossible to describe these things in writing, and every Brother must attend in his Place, and learn them in a way peculiar to this Fraternity: Only Candidates may know, that no Master should take an Apprentice, unless he has sufficient Employment for him, and unless he be a perfect Youth, having no Maim or Defect in his Body, that may render him uncapable to learning the Art, of serving his Master's Lord, and of being made a Brother, and then a Fellow-Craft in due time, even after he has served such a term of Years as the Custom of the Country directs; and that should be descended of honest Parents ; that so, when otherwise qualify'd, he may arrive to the Honour of being the Warden, and then the Master of the Lodge, the Grand Warden, and at length the Grand-Master of all the Lodges, according to his Merit. No Brother can be a Warden until he has pass'd the part of a Fellow-Craft; nor a Master until he has acted as a Warden, nor Grand Warden until he has been Master of a Lodge, nor Grand-Master unless he has been a Fellow-Craft before his Election, who is also to be nobly born, or a Gentleman of the best Fashion, or some eminent Scholar, or some curious Architect, or other Artist, descended of honest Parents, and who is of singular great Merit in the Opinion of the Lodges. And for the better, and easier, and more honourable Discharge of his Office, the Grand-Master has a Power to chuse his own Deputy Grand-Master, who must be then, or must have been formerly, the Master of a particular Lodge, and has the Privilege of acting whatever the Grand-Master, his Principal, should act, unless the said Principal be present, or interpose his Authority by a Letter. These rules and Governors, Supreme and Subordinate, of the ancient Lodge, are to be obey'd in their respective Stations by all the Brethren, according to the old Charges and Regulations, with all Humility, Reverence, Love, and Alacrity.

V- Of the Management of the Craft in working.
All Masons shall work honestly on working Days, that they may live creditably on holy Days; and the time appointed by the Law of the Land, or confirm'd by Custom, shall be observ'd. The most expert of the fellow-Craftsmen shall be chosen or appointed the Master, or Overseer of the Lord's Work; who is to be call'd Master by those that work under him. The Craftsmen are to avoid all ill Language, and to call each other by no disobliging Name, but Brother or Fellow; and to behave themselves courteously within and without the Lodge. The Master, knowing himself to be able of Cunning, shall undertake the Lord's Work as reasonably as possible, and truly dispend his Goods as if they were his own; nor to give more Wages to any Brother or Apprentice than he really may deserve. Both the Master and the Masons receiving their Wages justly, shall be faithful to the Lord, and honestly finish their Work, whether Task or Journey; nor put the Work to Task that hath been accustom'd to Journey. None shall discover Envy at the Prosperity of a Brother, nor supplant him, or put him out of his Work, if he be capable to finish the same; for no Man can finish another's Work so much to the Lord's Profit, unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the Designs and Draughts of him that began it. When a Fellow-Craftman is chosen Warden of the Work under the Master, he shall be true both to Master and Fellows, shall carefully oversee the Work in the Master's Absence to the Lord's Profit; and his Brethren shall obey him. All Masons employ'd, shall meekly receive their Wages without Murmuring or Mutiny, and not desert the Master till the Work is finish'd. A younger Brother shall be instructed in working, to prevent spoiling the Materials for want of Judgment, and for encreasing and continuing of Brotherly Love. All the Tools used in working shall be approved by the Grand Lodge. No Labourer shall be employ'd in the proper Work of Masonry; nor shall Free Masons work with those that are not free, without an urgent Necessity; nor shall they teach Labourers and unaccepted Masons, as they should teach a Brother or Fellow.

VI- Of Behaviour,
VIZ.
1. In the Lodge while constituted.
You are not to hold private Committees, or separate Conversation, without Leave from the Master, nor to talk of any thing impertinent or unseemly, nor interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any Brother speaking to the Master: Nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; nor use any unbecoming Language upon any Pretence whatsoever; but to pay due Reverence to your Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and put them to worship. If any Complaint be brought, the Brother found guilty shall stand to the Award and Determination of the Lodge, who are the proper and competent Judges of all such Controversies, (unless you carry it by Appeal to the Grand Lodge) and to whom they ought to be referr'd, unless a Lord's Work be hinder'd the mean while, in which Case a particular Reference may be made; but you must never go to Law about what concern the Masonry, without an absolute Necessity apparent to the Lodge.

2. Behaviour after the Lodge is over and the Brethren not gone.
You may enjoy yourselves with innocent Mirth, treating one another according to Ability, but avoiding all Excess, or forcing any Brother to eat or drink beyond his Inclination, or hindering him from going when his Occasions call him, or doing or saying any thing offensive, or that may forbid an easy and free Conversation; for that would blast our Harmony, and defeat our laudable Purposes. Therefore no private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within the Door of the Lodge, far less any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, or State Policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholick Religion above-mention'd; we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and resolv'd against all politicks, as what never yet conduc'd to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This Charges has been always strictly enjoin'd and observ'd; but especially ever since the Reformation in Britain, or the Dissent and Secession of these Nations from the Communion of Rome.

3. Behaviour when Brethren meet without Strangers, but not in a Lodge form'd.
You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, as you will be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual Instructions as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or overheard, and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that Respect which is due to any Brother, were he not a Mason: For though all Masons are as Brethren upon the same Level, yet Masonry takes no Honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill Manners.

4. Behaviour in Presence of Strangers not Masons.
You shall be cautious in your Words and Carriage, the most penetrating Stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes you shall divert a Discourse, and manage it prudently for the Honour of the worshipful Fraternity.

5. Behaviour at Home, and in your Neighbourhood.
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise Man; particularly, not to let your Family, Friends, and Neighbours know the concerns of the Lodge, etc. but wisely to consult your own Honour, and that of the ancient Brotherhood, for Reasons not to be mention'd here. You must also consult your Health, by not continuing together too late, or too long from home, after Lodge Hours are past; and by avoiding of Gluttony or Drunkenness, that your Families be not neglected or injured, nor you disabled from working.

6. Behaviour towards a Strange Brother.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a Method as Prudence shall direct you, that you may not be impos'd upon by an ignorant false Pretender, whom you are to reject with Contempt and Derision, and beware of giving him any Hints of Knowledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are to respect him accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct him how he may be reliev'd: You must employ him some Days, or else recommend him to be employ'd. But you are not charged to do beyond your Ability, only to prefer a poor Brother, that is a good Man and true, before any other poor People in the same Circumstances.
Finally, All these Charges you are to observe, and also those that shall be communicated to you in another way; cultivating BROTHERLY-LOVE, the Foundation and Cape-stone, the Cement and Glory of this ancient Fraternity, avoiding all Wrangling and Quarrelling, all Slander an Backbiting, nor permitting others to slander any honest Brother, but defending his Character, and doing him all good Offices, as far as is consistent with your Honour and Safety, and no farther. And if any of them do you Injury, you must apply to your own or his Lodge; and from thence you may appeal to the GRAND LODGE at the Quarterly Communication, and from thence to the annual GRAND LODGE, as has been the ancient laudable Conduct of our Fore-fathers in every Nation; never taking a legal Course but when the Case cannot be otherwise decided, and patiently listening to the honest and friendly Advice of Master and Fellows, when they would prevent your going to Law with Strangers, or would excite you to put a speedy Period to all Law-Suits, that so you may mind the Affair of MASONRY with the more Alacrity and Success; but with respect to Brothers or Fellows at Law, the Master and Brethren should kindly offer their Mediation, which ought to be thankfully submitted to by the contending Brethren; and if that Submission is impracticable, the must however carry on their Process, or Law-Suit, without Wrath an Rancor (not in the common way) saying or doing nothing which may hinder Brotherly Love, and good Offices to be renew'd and continu'd; that all may see the benign Influence of MASONRY, as all true Masons have done from the Beginning of the World, and will do to the End of Time.

Amen so mote it be.

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CONSTITUTIONS

Chapter I

UNIVERSAL FREEMASONRY AND ITS PRINCIPLES

Freemasonry is a traditional and universal initiatic order based on Fraternity.

It is an alliance of free men of good repute, of any race, nationality and creed.

The purpose of Freemasonry is the betterment of Mankind.

To this effect, Freemasons work at the constant improvement of the human condition, on the intellectual and spiritual plane as well as on that of material well-being.

Freemasons recognise each another as Brethren and owe one another help and assistance, even at the risk of their own lives. In the same way, they are duty bound to provide succour to all persons in danger.

Freemasons acknowledge no obstacle and set no limits to the permanent quest for truth and justice.

They respect the opinions of others and their unfettered expression.

They seek to reconcile opposites and aspire to bring men together in the practice of a universal system of morals, respectful of everyone’s personality.

They regard work as a duty and a right.

Freemasons are required to respect the laws and legitimate authority of the country in which they live and freely congregate.

They are enlightened and disciplined citizens and conform their lives according to the dictates of their conscience.

In the practice of the Art, they watch over the respect of the traditional rules, ways and customs of the Order.

In the common pursuit of the same ideal, Freemasons recognise each another through words, signs and grips, traditionally communicated in Lodge during ceremonies of initiation.

These words, signs and grips, as well as the rites and symbols constitute an inviolable secret and may not be communicated to persons not qualified to know them.

Every Freemason is free to disclose or not to disclose his own membership in the Order, but not that of a Brother.

Freemasons congregate, according to Masonic tradition, so as to form autonomous groups called Lodges.

Each Lodge governs itself in accordance with decisions taken by the majority of its Master Masons gathered in Stated meetings, but may not deviate from the general principles of Freemasonry nor from the laws of the Masonic Body to which it belongs.

The Lodges regroup themselves in Grand Lodges which are national and independent authorities, guardians of the Tradition, exercising sole and undivided jurisdiction over the three degrees of Symbolic Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

The Grand Lodges govern themselves in accordance with the traditional principles of the Universal Order, their own constitutions and the laws which they have regularly given unto themselves.

They respect the sovereignty and independence of other Masonic authorities and refrain from any interference in their internal affairs.

They maintain among themselves the relations required for the cohesion of the Universal Order.

They freely conclude treaties and fraternal alliances among themselves but acknowledge no national or international Masonic authority superior to their own.

They independently draft their regulations and have sole charge over their own administration, justice and internal discipline.

Thus is the universal character of the Masonic Order upheld in keeping with the respect for the personality of each and every national Masonic Body, the autonomy of each and every Lodge and the individual freedom of each and every Brother so that Love, Harmony and Concord shall prevail among all Freemasons.

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Chapter II

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE
GRAND LODGE DE FRANCE

Autonomy of the Lodges.

Art. 1 - The Grand Lodge of France is an Independent and Sovereign Masonic Power working the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. It exercises sole and undivided jurisdiction over the three degrees of Symbolic Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

Its motto is Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.

The sovereignty of the Grand Lodge of France lies in the universality of its membership.

This sovereignty is exerted by the universal suffrage of Master Masons reunited in Lodges.

Art. 2 - The Grand Lodge of France is a federation of Lodges. Each constituent Lodge enjoys its autonomy, in keeping with the respect for the Masonic tradition. It must comply with the Constitution and General Regulations of the Grand Lodge of France.

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Chapter III

GRAND LODGE OF FRANCE

Representative Assembly.

Art. 3 - The sovereign, constitutional and legislative powers of the Federation are vested in the Representative Assembly of the Grand Lodge of France, which exerts these powers under the terms of article 8 below.

Composition of the Representative Assembly.

Art. 4 - This Representative Assembly is composed of all the Representatives of the constituent Lodges of the Federation and meets in Grand Lodge Communication.

Every Lodge having at least seven dues-paying members is represented at the Assembly of the Grand Lodge of France by a Representative, whom it elects from its ranks by secret ballot after the General Assembly and, at the latest, on the very day of the Installation of its Worshipful Master and Officers.

Should the membership of the Lodge, exclusive of affiliate members, be over fifty on the June 30 that precedes the elections, then it shall elect a second Representative.

It shall elect a third Representative if its membership, exclusive of affiliated members, should exceed 100 on the above-mentioned date, and so on for every additional 50 members or fraction thereof, exclusive of affiliated members.

The representative’s tenure is one year and may be renewed by the Lodge.

Deputy Representatives.
Representatives of provincial Lodges.

Art. 5 - A Lodge may appoint deputy representatives, entitled to vote only in the absence of the titular representative (see Constitution, art. 6, General Regulations 74 and 227). Each representative may represent only one Lodge.

The provincial Lodges shall, in accordance with article 4, name one or more representatives resident in the region in which their Temple is located, to represent them at Grand Lodge Communications and at the General Assemblies.

Each of these representatives is entitled to vote and shall receive a travel and living allowance paid by the Treasury of the Grand Lodge.

In order to ensure that the Lodges are fully represented, each Representative may dispose of the votes of the other representatives of his Lodge in their absence, even if he is not in possession of the relevant papers of the absent representative or representatives.

Eligibility and Incompatibility.

Art. 6 - A candidate for election as titular or deputy representative should be at least 25 years of age, a Master Mason of at least three years’ standing and an active member of the Lodge.

The duties of a representative are incompatible with those of Federal Councillor, representative of another constituent Lodge of the Grand Lodge or active member of another Masonic body, unless treaties exist to the contrary.

Verification of Powers.

Art. 7 - The powers of each representative shall be verified by the Grand Secretary who, in the event of difficulties, shall refer the matter to the Grand Lodge of France whose decision shall be final (C.3).
Meetings of the Grand Lodge of France.
Functions and Powers.

Art. 8 - The Grand Lodge of France meets at least twice a year, at six-month intervals and, in the event of urgency, upon a decision by the Federal Council or upon a substantiated request by one-tenth of the Lodges belonging to the Federation.

The Grand Lodge Communication meeting draws up its own internal regulations.

On proposal of the Federal Council, it decides on recognition of other Masonic Bodies and the creation, suspension and revival of Lodges.

It may, on the proposal of the Federal Council or at the request of three Lodges, suspend penalties or sentences of disqualification inflicted on Lodges or Brethren.

The Grand Lodge of France exercises its sovereign, constitutional and legislative powers in a session that opens in June and is called a Grand Lodge General Assembly.

The Federal Council summons the General Assembly, sets its duration and proposes an agenda (G.R. 228 and 231).

The General Assembly:

1. Elects its Presiding Officer.

2. Decides on its agenda.

3. Receives the reports of the Federal Council.

4. Votes on the budget and sets the dues to be levied.

5. Decides on modifications of the Constitution and General Regulations (C.25 - R.G. 258).

6. Examines the various questions placed on the agenda.

7. Takes steps to replace outgoing Federal Councillors
(C.12, G.R. 235).

8. Elects the members of the Fraternal Jury (G.R. 246 and 247).

9. Elects, from among the Federal Councillors in office, the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of France as listed in par. 2, Art. 14 of the Constitutions.

10. Elects the members of the Committees of the General Assembly meeting.

The elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. This is a hard and fast rule for the election of the Grand Master. For the Grand Officers, if there is only one candidate for each position, the elections shall take place by a show of hands, unless at least three Brethren request a secret ballot. An absolute majority of votes cast is required at each ballot.

The Grand Lodge Communication, which is held no later than six months after the General Assembly, audits the accounts of the previous budgetary year. This budgetary year starts on the first day of the month following the General Assembly Meeting and thus coincides with the Masonic year.

The Governing Body.

Art. 9 - The Governing Body of the Grand Lodge of France is constituted by the Board of Grand Officers.

The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of France presides over all meetings of the Grand Lodge except the General Assembly, which elects its Presiding Officer from among the Representatives for the duration of the session (C. 8 - R. 232).

The Grand Officers shall be seated in their respective Chairs.

Proceedings, Voting.

Art. 10 - The proceedings of the Grand Lodge shall be conducted at the Master Mason degree, unless the Grand Lodge decides otherwise.

Only the Federal Councillors and the Representatives of the constituent Lodges of the Grand Lodge of France may take part in the discussions.

The Grand Lodge of France may not hold a meeting unless a third of its constituent Lodges are represented.

Voting shall take place by public ballot, except for elections (C. 8).

For a motion to be passed, it must win the absolute majority of votes cast, except for modifications to the Constitution and General Regulations which shall require a majority of two-thirds.

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Chapter IV

THE FEDERAL COUNCIL

Executive Power.

Art. 11 - Executive power is exerted by the Federal Council of the Grand Lodge of France, usually holding session in Paris.
 

Composition of the Federal Council

Art. 12 - The Federal Council consists of 33 members: 13 elected for the Ile de France/Overseas territories region, 1 for the Caribbean-America region and 19 for provincial Lodges.

A third of its membership is renewed each year.

The Federal Councillors are elected by the General Assembly for three years. They can not be reelected in the year following the expiry of their term.

Should a Federal Councillor fail to fulfill his duties during his term of office, the General Assembly shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of his term.

The duties of a Federal Councillor are incompatible with those of an active member of another symbolic Masonic Body, a member of the Fraternal Jury or a member of the Financial Audit Committee.

A Brother who becomes Federal Councillor may not be re-elected as a representative of his Lodge during the term of his office.

Any Federal Councillor who, without valid reason, has been absent at three-fourths of Federal Council meetings (missions count as meetings) shall be deemed to have resigned from his office; a replacement shall be appointed by the General Assembly.

Functions of the Federal Council

Art. 13 - The Federal Council is entrusted with the general management of the Federation in keeping with the Laws, Rules and Traditions of the Masonic Order.

It meets in plenary session at least five times a year.

It is entrusted with the guardianship of the Constitution.

It defines its own Regulations.

It promulgates the Laws and Decrees of the Grand Lodge of France in the month in which they are adopted and sees to their execution.

It submits the annual draft budget, which is sent to the Lodges two months before the General Assembly Meeting.

It submits proposals to the Grand Lodge of France for the recognition of Masonic Authorities to which it may accredit Grand Representatives.

It submits proposals to the Grand Lodge of France for integration, merger, revocation of Charters, suspension and revival of symbolic Lodges.

It delivers Titles and Charters (G.R. 1 to 8, 28 to 45).

It approves the internal Regulations of Lodges when recognized as being in accordance with the Constitution and the General Regulations (G.R. 17).

The Federal Council alone is competent to represent the Grand Lodge of France in every circumstance.

It reports on its activities at every Grand Lodge Communication.

It sees to the proper functioning of Masonic Justice and may take the initiative in making indictments (R. 236 and ff.).

It receives and investigates complaints against the constituent Lodges of the Federation and Federal Councillors in the performance of their duties.

It receives appeals against sentences handed down by the Committees of Conciliation and Decision and takes matters before the Fraternal Jury (G.R. 234 and ff.).

It has itself the right of appeal (R. 243).

Through the Grand Orator, it fulfills the functions of the Public Prosecutor before the Fraternal Jury (R. 247).

It carries out sentences.

Board of Grand Officers.

Art. 14 - The Board of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of France is constituted of:

- The Grand Master;
- The First Deputy Grand Master (elected from among the provincial Federal Councillors if the Grand Master is from the Paris region, and vice versa).
- The Second Deputy Grand Master (elected from among the Federal Councillors of the Paris region if the Grand Master is from Paris, and from the provinces if the Grand Master is from the provinces);
- The Assistant Grand Masters;
- The Grand Orator;
- The Grand Secretary;
- The Grand Chancellor;
- The Grand Treasurer;
- The Grand Almoner;
- The Grand Expert;
- The Grand Master of Ceremonies
- The Grand Inner Guard.

The following officers are elected by the Grand Lodge General Assembly from among the active Federal Councillors: the Grand Master, the two Deputy Grand Masters, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Almoner, the Grand Expert.

The Grand Master appoints a Federal Councillor as Assistant Grand Master for each region except for the regions to which the two deputy Grand Masters belong.

The other Grand Officers are chosen by the Federal Council from its own ranks.

The Federal Council may further appoint deputies from its own ranks to the offices of Grand Orator, Grand Secretary, Grand Chancellor, Grand Treasurer, Grand Almoner, Grand Expert.

The Grand Master and the Federal Council may appoint representatives in the territories outside metropolitan France.
Honours.

Art. 15 - The Grand Master or his representative preside over the Masonic ceremonies and the meetings of the Grand Lodge of France.

The Grand Officers and the Federal Councillors shall be received in Lodges with the traditional ceremonial and shall be seated in the East (G.R. 114).
 

Accountability.

Art. 16 - The Federal Councillors are accountable to the General Assembly for the performance of their duties (G.R. 252).

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Chapter V
 

FINANCIAL AUDIT

Art. 17 - The Financial Audit is carried out by a special Board of seven members elected by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge of France (C. 8). This Board presents its audit report each year to the competent Grand Lodge Communication.

The Audit Board meets at least twice a year, on being summoned by its Presiding Officer or at the request of four of its members. The Grand Treasurer is summoned and sits at the meetings.

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Chapter VI

JUDICIAL ORGANISATION

Art. 18 - The judicial power is vested ordinarily and in the first instance in the Lodges and, by right of appeal, in the Grand Lodge (R. 236 to 257).

Art. 19 - The judicial powers of the Lodges are exercised by the Committee of Conciliation and Decision while those of the Grand Lodge are exercised by the Fraternal Jury.

Art. 20 - The sentences handed down by the Committees of Conciliation and Decision, as well as the decisions of the Fraternal Jury, must be substantiated.

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CHAPTER VII

MASONIC TRADITIONS

Art. 22 - Every Lodge shall be duly tiled when meeting, shall preserve the due guard, signs, tokens, sacred words and passwords as well as the use of the semestrial passwords of the Grand Lodge of France, and shall conform to the rituals adopted by the Grand Lodge of France meeting in Grand Lodge Communication.

Art. 23 - It is strictly forbidden to provoke or start political or religious discussions in Lodge.

Art. 24 - The Grand Lodge of France works in accordance with the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

The constituent Lodges shall work in the same Rite, apart from Lodges that have received dispensation from the Federal Council to work any other regular rite recognised by the Grand Lodge of France (C. 22 - G.R. 100).

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Chapter VIII

REVISION AND MODIFICATION

Art. 25 - Any proposal for the modification of the present Constitution must, if it is to be examined by the General Assembly, come from either the Federal Council or at least ten constituent Lodges of the Federation.

No constitutional modification may be discussed until it has been submitted to examination by the Federal Council at least seven months before the General Assembly Meeting.

The Council shall express its opinion on the modification and send the text of the proposal with its observations for scrutiny by the constituent Lodges at least six months before the General Assembly Meeting.

When these formalities have been met, the General Assembly Meeting of the Grand Lodge of France shall take a final decision and the Federal Council shall promulgate the decision as the Law of the Federation.

Any decision taken by the Grand Lodge of France not in accordance with due constitutional form is null by law and shall not be promulgated.

No modification to the constitution that has been rejected may be submitted for discussion at the General Assembly meeting before a period of two years has elapsed.

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