Amity is defined as "peaceful relations; a state of friendship and cordiality."
Each lodge operating under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of America determines the Masonic status of visiting brethren from other jurisdictions based on personal and Masonic merit. If their Grand Lodge is in amity with the United Grand Lodge of America this process is greatly simplified for the visiting brethren.
Grand Lodges that wish to establish an amicable relationship with the United Grand Lodge of America must meet the following standards:
- Be in compliance with the Ancient Charges as specified in Bro. James Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723
- Have a democratic form of Masonic government where all Grand Officers are elected to office either by all of the brethren or the elected representatives of the brethren
- Have a form of Masonic government where any Master Mason can run for any office in the Grand Lodge
- Allows any voting member of the Grand Lodge to submit new legislation on the floor of any meeting of the Grand Lodge
- Allows any Mason under its jurisdiction access to its financial records and those of its charities
- Conducts independent annual audits of its finances through companies that are in no way connected with Freemasonry
- Publishes its financial records at each meeting of the Grand Lodge
- Provides copies of its Masonic Code and/or Constitutions to every Mason under its jurisdiction
- Provides due process in all matters of Masonic jurisprudence
- Provides a means for the accused to compel witnesses to testify in his trial
- Does not convene or have the power to convene special courts for the purpose of trying Masons
- The Junior Wardens of its individual lodges are the presiding judicial authority in all Masonic trials
- By Masonic law all trials under its jurisdiction are held in the lodge of the accused
Freemasonry | United Grand Lodge of America
Masonic Amity | Masonry | Masons
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