Insights from an Interview with the Grand Lodge of Portugal (GLNP) in 2000.
In 2000, one of Portugal's leading newspapers conducted an extensive interview with the Grand Lodge of Portugal (GLNP), shedding light on the inner workings and values upheld by this respected Masonic institution.
With a current membership of 417 brothers, the GLNP places a significant emphasis on the responsibility of each Mason to translate the universal values of the 18th century into society, especially within their professional spheres.
Criticism has often been directed at Freemasonry for the relationships of influence it fosters among its members, potentially sidelining non-Masons, commonly referred to as "profanes."
Álvaro Carva, a prominent figure within the GLNP, argues that this preference for fellow Masons stems from a foundation of trust.
In similar circumstances, Masons naturally gravitate toward one another, as they already share principles and viewpoints on life and society. The term "profane" is used to describe non-Masons who have not yet "seen the light" of Masonic teachings.
Creating a Masonic organization, whether it's a Grand Lodge or a Supreme Council, isn't merely a matter of comprising Masons.
The criteria for recognition are stringent, requiring older Obediences or Powers to acknowledge and support the development of these new structures.
This was evident in the formation of the Supreme Council of Portugal, established with the backing of the Supreme Council of France – the first Supreme Council in Europe and the second in the world.
Once the process is completed, the Masons within the Supreme Council of Portugal gain recognition from all global Supreme Councils. The Supreme Council of Portugal exclusively acknowledges regularity among GLNP members.
When recognition is not mutual, Masonic institutions prohibit their members from attending meetings in those Lodges. In cases of suspicion, investigations are conducted into the presence of different obediences.
