… Excerpt from the constitution of the Liberal Grand Lodge of Austria.
Preamble and definition of self
The constitution guides the Liberal Grand Lodge of Austria in its existence as a Masonic organisation.
Every member lodge of the Grand Lodge is bound by, and responsible for the observance of the principles expressed in
- the “Straßburger Appeal” of 22. January 1961
- the Charta of basic rights of the European community vom 18.12.2000
which place a duty to observe those principles in daily lodge life.
The traditional background of the Grand Lodge bases in particular upon the following documents:
- The ‘Old Charges’ as written by James Anderson in 1723,
- The ‘New Charges’, created 1974 by the Unabhängigen Freimaurer Loge Wien, interpreting the ‘Ancient Charges’ in modern terms
- The U.N. General declaration of human rights of 10.12.1948 with it’s understanding of evolving human rights.
The Liberal Grand Lodge of Austria represents its member lodges to the outside Masonic world, and provides the necessary inner organisation between the lodges. The member lodges in their turn were founded as required in the basics of the Strassburg declaration of CLIPSAS 22. January 1961.
The Liberal Grand Lodge of Austria observes freedom of expression, tolerance and plurality, and unites masons of both sexes irrespective of race, religion, or creed, and is freestanding and independent of all other masonic institutions. The member lodges reciprocate with visiting rights. The internal affairs of the member lodges, in particular the choice of ritual and the selection of sisters and brothers to be initiated, are in the exclusive right of each lodge.
The Liberal Grand Lodge of Austria is freestanding and independent of all other masonic institutions; it represents its member lodges to the (masonic) outside world as an Obedience as its own legal entity.