CLIPSAS () (English: "Liaison and Information Center of Masonic Powers Signatories of the Strasbourg Appeal") is an international Masonic organization that serves as the primary coordinating body for liberal Masonic activities. CLIPSAS was established in 1961 through the Strasbourg Appeal as a more inclusive alternative to the United Grand Lodge of England. The organization maintains Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and comprises over 101 member obediences across four continents.

History The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) maintained strict requirements regarding belief in a Supreme Being and prohibition of political and religious discussions.

On January 22, 1961, several sovereign Masonic obediences convened in Strasbourg to address these challenges. The original signatories include:

Grand Orient of Switzerland Grand Orient of Austria Grand Orient of Luxembourg Serenísima Gran Logia de Lengua Española Grand Orient of France Grand Orient of Italy Grand Orient of Belgium

Presidents Years President Obedience 1961–1962 Georges Beernaerts Grand Orient of Belgium 1962–1964 Charles Castel Grand Orient of Belgium 1964–1966 Walter Heinz Grand Orient of Belgium 1966 Paul Van Hercke Grand Orient of Belgium 1966–1970 Robert Dille Grand Orient of Belgium 1970–1973 Victor Martiny Grand Orient of Belgium 1973–1976 Pierre Burton Grand Orient of Belgium 1976–1979 Jaak Nutkewitz Grand Orient of Belgium 1979–1982 André Mechelynck Grand Orient of Belgium 1982–1985 Nicolas Bontyes Grand Orient of Belgium 1985–1987 Silvain Loccufier Grand Orient of Belgium 1987–1990 Guy Vlaeminck Grand Orient of Belgium 1990–1993 Jean-Robert Ragache Grand Orient of France 1993–1996 Marc-Antoine Cauchie Grand Orient of Luxembourg 1996–1998 Marie-France Coquard Grande Loge Féminine de France 1998–2000 Javier Otaola Bajeneta Grande Loge Symbolique Espagnole 2000–2004 Marc-Antoine Cauchie Grand Orient of Luxembourg 2004–2007 Gabriel Nzambila Grands Orients et Loge Associée du Congo 2007–2008 Jefferson Isaac João Scheer Grande Loja Unida do Parana 2008–2011 Marc-Antoine Cauchie Grand Orient of Luxembourg 2011–2014 António Reis Grande Oriente Lusitano 2014–2017 Louis Daly Grande Loge Omega de New-York 2017–2021 François Padovani Grande Loge Mixte de France 2021–2024 Ivan Herrera Michel Federacion Colombiana de Logias Masónicas

Current Member Obediences CLIPSAS includes over 101 member obediences as of 2024 but shrunk to 91 denominations after the 2024 General Assembly in Albania.

Controversies and Criticism Governance issues During the 2022 General Assembly in Lisbon, Portugal, President Ivan Herrera Michel and the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Portugal reportedly had a lack of communication between members as many COVID-19 cases within the group were reported after the event. The organizers also used internet voting instead of using the usual voting system with terminals which led to confusion, notably when the voting for the inclusion of the Grand Orient of Andorra was reversed from their actual choice.

The assembly also had a reinstatement vote for the previously suspended Grand Orient of Mexico, in which the president reportedly left the room during vote to take a Covid PCR test for a flight.

Electoral Controversy of 2024 During the 2024 General Assembly in Durrës, Albania, Louis Daly won the election with only 32.06% of votes. This led to immediate protests from multiple member obediences who argued Daly violated their regulations. Then president Michel declared him the winner, prompting more than 15 Obediences to abandon the group.

See also Freemasonry Liberal Freemasonry Co-Freemasonry Grand Orient of France History of Freemasonry

References

External links CLIPSAS – Centre de liaison et d'information des puissances maçonniques signataires de l'appel de Strasbourg