Grand National Lodge of France - Regular Freemasonry
The French National Grand Lodge (GLNF; in French, Grande Loge Nationale Française) is a Masonic obedience founded in 1913, originally named the “National Independent and Regular Grand Lodge for France and its Colonies.” It constitutes the only Masonic organization in France recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and the grand lodges belonging to the regular Anglo-Saxon Masonic tradition. Its distinctive character lies in its strict adherence to the principles of regularity defined by the UGLE in 1929, which include the requirement of belief in the Great Architect of the Universe, the prohibition of political or religious discussions in lodge, non-recognition of female initiation, and the use of the three great lights of Freemasonry.
History
Foundation (1913)
The GLNF was created in 1913 from two lodges: Le Centre des Amis, which had seceded from the Grand Orient of France, and L’Anglaise, an independent lodge based in Bordeaux. From its founding, it obtained immediate recognition from the United Grand Lodge of England, positioning it as the sole representative in France of regular Masonry in the British tradition.
Schisms
Throughout its history, the GLNF has experienced various schisms that have given rise to new obediences. The first of importance occurred in 1958, when the Traditional and Symbolic Grand Lodge Opéra (Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra) split off. In 1968, a new schism produced the National French Lodge (National French Lodge). Subsequent schisms include the Grand Priory of Gaul, the Rectified Grand Priory of Occitania, the United Grand Lodge of France, and the Grand Lodge of Regular Free and Accepted Masons.
Crisis of 2009-2014
Between 2009 and 2014, the GLNF underwent a profound institutional crisis. In December 2009, Grand Master François Stifani faced an internal rebellion motivated by the expenditure of 17 million euros on political subscriptions. Dissident members resorted to the courts, and in January 2011, French legal authorities appointed Mlle Monique Legrand to administer the Grand Lodge, which worsened the situation.
The crisis had international consequences. On September 14, 2011, the UGLE suspended its relations with the GLNF, and several grand lodges in the United States did likewise. On June 10, 2012, five European grand lodges (Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Luxembourg) signed the Basel Declaration, withdrawing recognition from the GLNF, considering the damage irreparable. On September 12, 2012, the UGLE formally withdrew recognition, citing internal schisms and the GLNF’s lack of control over its own affairs.
Following Stifani’s resignation, Jean-Pierre Servel assumed the role in December 2012. Legrand returned administration to Servel, who suspended and subsequently expelled Stifani. Documents revealed that Stifani had pledged the Grand Lodge’s loyalty to Nicolas Sarkozy since January 2008. In September 2013, the UGLE acknowledged progress within the GLNF, although it stated it had no immediate plans to restore recognition. Finally, in June 2014, the UGLE, the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and the Grand Lodge of Scotland issued a joint statement restoring recognition to the GLNF, deeming that the new leadership had addressed the issues.
Principles and Characteristics
Masonic Regularity
The GLNF bases its practice on the precepts of regularity established by the UGLE in 1929. These principles require belief in the Great Architect of the Universe as an indispensable condition for membership in the order. The obedience maintains an exclusively male structure and does not recognize female initiation or Masonic contact with obediences that admit it.
Composition and Functioning
The GLNF prohibits political or religious discussions within lodges, following the tradition of regular Anglo-Saxon Masonry. The three great lights of Freemasonry—the Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses—are essential elements in its works.
Inter-Obediential Relations
The GLNF remains isolated from the French Freemasonry Union, which groups together the nine main obediences in the country. Nevertheless, it maintains good relations with the Grand Lodge of France. Throughout its history, many lodges have affiliated with the GLNF from other obediences, and just as many have left it to join others.
Rites Practiced
The GLNF currently practices six rites within its jurisdiction. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite became the most prevalent following the incorporation of members from the Grand Lodge of France. The French Rite was reintroduced in 1989, when the GLNF obtained a patent from the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite of Brazil; it is currently practiced by approximately 15% of the obedience’s lodges. In recent times, lodges working the Standard Scottish Rite have been added, completing the ritual diversity of the organization.
Statistical Data
The GLNF has more than 38,000 affiliated members, making it one of the most numerous Masonic obediences in France.
International Recognition
Following the restoration of recognition in June 2014, the GLNF regained its position as the sole French obedience recognized by the UGLE and the grand lodges of its Masonic tradition. This recognition implies the acceptance of the GLNF as a legitimate interlocutor in the concert of international regular Masonry, based on the principles of monotheism and regularity that define this tradition.
Historical Context and Significance
The French National Grand Lodge represents, within the French Masonic landscape, the current closest to the regular Anglo-Saxon tradition. Its foundation in 1913 responded to the need to create an obedience that met the regularity criteria required by the UGLE, at a time when the Grand Orient of France had abandoned the requirement of belief in the Great Architect of the Universe. Throughout its history, the GLNF has maintained a position of fidelity to these principles, which has earned it international recognition but also isolation from other French obediences. The 2009-2014 crisis tested its internal structure and international relations, but the restoration of recognition in 2014 consolidated its role as the sole representative in France of regular Masonry in the British tradition. Its existence reflects the diversity of currents within world Freemasonry and the importance of regularity criteria in relations between obediences.
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