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Resignation from craft |
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One may decide to resign from the Craft for any personal reason, which may include ideological issues. The notice of resignation should be sent to the Grand Secretary in the prescribed form. On resignation from the Craft, the Brother concerned ceases to be a member of all Craft Lodges, HRA Chapters and surrenders all District and Grand ranks and, in fact, ceases to be called a Freemason. He should also return his Grand Lodge Certificate (and if a Companion of the Holy Royal Arch Chapter, then the Grand Chapter Certificate as well) to the Grand Secretary. Thereafter he will not be entitled to any of the Masonic privileges and to the District Grand and Grand Offices (present or Past) conferred on him nor any other titles or memberships of any Boards or Committees. In cases of serious Masonic offences a brother may be asked by a Masonic Authority to resign from the Lodge and the Craft in order that no Masonic punishment be invoked, which would permanently bar him from entering any Lodge, including a Lodge under a jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge for he would be considered as a person not-in-good- standing. A Brother having resigned from the Craft is not normally expected to return to the Craft; but if he so desires he must apply to the Grand Secretary. The Grand Secretary, if he is satisfied of the circumstances justifying his return, may return to him the Grand Lodge Certificate (and Grand Chapter Certificate, if applicable) and permit his being considered for admission by Lodges under the Grand Lodge. In such a case all the formalities connected with re-joining such as proposal and balloting must be observed. (Rule 183 A). The rights and privileges will be restored to him on his again becoming a subscribing member of a Lodge. |
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membership |