DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

Laboring Under the Banner of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth

Freemasonry is a fraternity including men and women of every race, nationality and religion. Wishing to do away with all cause for division and strife, it continually seeks the means which to help all human beings to unite and work together for the perfection of Humanity.

Universal Co-Masonry, a Masonic Obedience independent of all others, has not created a new Rite. What distinguishes it from other existing Obediences is that, instead of admitting men only to its ranks, it admits women on an equal footing. It proclaims equal rights for both sexes and absolute liberty of conscience. In order to secure to everyone unlimited freedom in the search for truth, it demands the utmost tolerance from all its members. It avoids political and religious discussions wherever these cannot be carried on with requisite tolerance and moderation; it welcomes everyone who is upright, free, of mature age, sound judgement, and strict morals, whatever may be his or her convictions in matters of religion, philosophy, or politics.

Universal Co-Masonry seeks to destroy ignorance under whatever form, and its program may be explained as follows:

• Each Mason owes obedience to the Order and to the laws of his or her country; he must live honorably, practice justice, love his neighbor, work unceasingly for the true happiness of humanity, and help human beings to emancipate themselves from the thralldom of passion and ignorance.

• From the first to the last, to whatever degree the aspirant may desire to be admitted, the first condition to be fulfilled is to have a reputation of unsullied honor and probity.

• Members of the Order owe to each other help and support in all circumstances and conditions of life.

• To think high, to speak truth, to do well, to be tolerant to others, to search after truth, to practice liberty under law, fraternal equality, justice, and solidarity, are the duties which the Supreme Council of Universal Co-Masonry, prescribes for its members seeking to build to the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe, to the perfection of Humanity, and to the service of the Head of All True Freemasons, the true Masonic Temple open to both men and women.