The Truth between Columns - Gran Logia Simbólica del Paraguay
Transcription
The Truth between Columns - Gran Logia Simbólica del Paraguay
Member of the Inter American Masonic Conference English version The Truth between Columns Know everything about the crisis in Paraguayan Masonry which started in 2005. Its background, developments and consequences in this dossier of documents that shows the naked truth as it is and presents it between columns. 2 DOSSIER GLSP DOSSIER GLSP Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Member of the Inter American Masonic Conference www.cmisecretariaejecutiva.org Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Euclides Acevedo Grand Master César Núñez Alarcón Vice Grand Master Ronald González Sánchez Grand First Warden Jorge Yaluff Grand Second Warden Edgar Sánchez Caballero Grand Speaker Ernesto Cabrera Grand Secretary Avda. de la Victoria Nº 690 esq. López Moreira Villa Aurelia - Asunción, Paraguay Telefax: +595 21 601862 Email: gransecretaria@granlogia.org.py Website: www.granlogia.org.py Grand Adminsitrative Committee •President: Carlos Cuevas •Members: Bruno Berni - Luís Brítez Grand Legal Committee •President: José Fernández Zacur •Members: Gustavo Gorostiaga B. - Fausto Portillo Lugo Grand Financial Committee •President: Eladio Carlos Ojeda •Members: Domingo Redondo - Juan M. Soto Grand Foreign Relations Committee •President: Raúl Pintos Grassi •Members: Raúl Cantaluppi - Marcos Costi Grand Teaching Committee •President: Aníbal Fernández •Members: Marcelo Díaz de Vivar - Marcos Sanchéz Nelson Ferreira Prieto Grand Treasurer Grand Ritual Committee •President: Saúl Zaputovich •Members: Daniel Aquino - Roque Squef Marcelo Bauer Grand Hospitaller Grand Communications Committee •Oscar Brizuela The truth between Columns is a publication of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay , edited by Fenix Visual Communications . Its reproduction, be it total or partial is prohibited without authorization of its director. The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay is responsible for the all contents of this edition. Grand Foreign Relations Committee Editora News Media Merchandising 8 de Setiembre 420 esq. Ceibo Edificio Grassi - Dptos. 13 y 14 Fdo. de la Mora - Paraguay Tel: (595 21) 682071 e-mail: holdingfenix@gmail.com General Director Raúl Pintos Grassi Translation Patrick Miller Grafic Design Francisco Moreno Editoral Support Edgar Sánchez Fabián Berni Ricardo Ferreira César Núñez A. José Fernández Z. Ignacio Mendoza Marcos Zaracho Fernando Ramos Dear Brother: From the beginning of time, writing was the principal vehicle to reveal historical information either real or fictitious. Man always had a comfortable tendency of introducing as true the first information. The convincing support was always a luxurious and exclusive attached file that, in accordance with the complexity of the case, and principally of the delicate interests in the game, was destroyed by some and exploited by others. Politics from its beginnings and the religions along their histories, have known perfectly well the art of manipulating the information. Of this practice our order is not exempt at all. But in reference to its essence, being the search of truth the Holy Grail of the Freemasonry, the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay reveals you all the truth on the institutional schism suffered in Regular Paraguayan Freemasonry in the year 2005. This material does not limit itself only to narrate the historical course of events, but documents them step by step. After almost six years of the sad division of Symbolic Freemasonry in Paraguay and in the Bicentennial of our country, of which 140 years Freemasonry was a participant of the national development, the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay presents this extremely illustrative dossier so that the Truth could be revealed and administered in accordance with the jealous criteria of every brother. Knowing the generosity of paper and the docility of the information in web sites or in mailings, in the daily challenge of speaking with the documented truth, we present to you this wide range of profane and Masonic resolutions, decrees, notes, etc., that speak for themselves. The recognition which has been bestowed on us and which we have received with honor and pride has not been due to luck. The Masonic international community read the situation right, and in the majority of the cases decided in our favor, but it was in accordance with a meticulous study of the impasse, its origin and development. We will keep on fighting for the responsible diffusion of the truth, we will keep on working mending the cracks of Paraguayan Freemasonry until we reach the longed for unification. Steadfastness, Brotherhood, Tolerance and the Truth will be the tools we use in our pursue of unity. Steadfastness because we will not stray from Masonic principles, principles are not negotiable. Brotherhood, because we all are brothers. Tolerance because we are imperfect, and the truth because without her everything else lacks sustenance. The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, in its 140th Anniversary is more and more consolidated, with the certainty it owes this to your valuable contribution. It is because of this we celebrate it in the intimacy of our Interior Temple, the real temple which will produce works in the good of humanity deserving more celebrations. Thank you Euclides Acevedo Grand Master 3 4 DOSSIER GLSP Preface to the Crisis The Truth between Columns Know everything about the crisis in Paraguayan Masonry which started in 2005 . Its background, developments and consequences in this dossier of documents that shows the naked truth as it is and presents it between columns. Decree No 35 of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree November 4th 2005 THE SOVEREIGN GRAND COMENDADOR OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE 33RD DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY, IN VIEW OF THE POWERS INVESTED IN HIM In October of 2001 all the authorities for the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay were to take office for the period of 2001 to 2005, the Grand Master was Bro. Juan Carlos Roig Robledo, the Vice Grand Master Bro. Reinaldo Domínguez Dibb and the First Grand Warden Bro. Nemesio Lichi. In February 2003 the Grand Master requests a leave of absence for an undetermined period of time , after which Bro. Reinaldo Domínguez Dibb assumed as Grand Master. DECREES ARTICLE·1: DECLARES SUSPENDED, in preventive form, in his Masonic Rights the Sovereign Comendador of the Temple Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb 270. ARTICLE 2: INSTRUCT THE FOLLOWING INDICTMENT in order to conduct an investigation into the facts presented , guaranteeing the due process and the ample defense of the Sovereign Comendador of the Temple Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb 270. ARTICLE 3: NOTIFY the Sovereign Comendador of the Temple Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb 270. And anybody else that should be notified in order to comply with the present decree. Decree signed by the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree in which it suspends the Vice Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of the Paraguay, Respectable Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. The Genesis at the voting poll... In July of 2005 the electoral process is started to elect a new Grand Master and other authorities in view that their term ended in October, and bearing in mind that the current legislation established that to gain access to the office of Grand Master the candidate had to ob- ARTICLE 4: COMMUNICATE the present Decree to all the Subordinate offices of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay, instruct that the present Decree should be posted in all temples and communicate to any Powers that should be informed. ARTICLE 5: COMMUNICATE to the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay in compliance with Articles 8 and 10 of The treaty of Peace and Friendship of April 30 1986 ARTICLE 6 ACCOMPLISH, and then file. The Past Vice Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. tain two thirds of the votes of the Grand Representatives which was predictable would not be obtained in the first cast. The first voting round was cast on July 1st, the second on July 8th, the third on August 5th and the fourth on September 1st. In all occasions the majority of the votes were for Bro. Reinaldo Domínguez Dibb over Bro. Roberto Fernandez, but not within the two thirds required by the statutes, although the number were increasing in favor of Bro. Domínguez. In the last round both candidates agreed to establish a pause until March 3rd of 2006 . Signed by the Sovereign Grand Comendador, Bro. Jorge Goldenberg The first outrage of the last degree Everything seemed to be developing normally until November 2005 in which the Grand Secretary of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay receives a Decree (number 05) from the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree in which Bro. Reinaldo Domínguez Dibb , Grand Master , was suspended in his Masonic Rights . At the same time it also requested the application of a Clause of the Peace and Friendship treaty between the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree and the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay by which a suspension in one power also had to be applied in the other. Immediately after an official telegram is also received, sent by Bro. Nemesio Lichi in which he demands Bro. Reinaldo Domínguez Dibb deliver the office of Grand Master to him. 5 6 DOSSIER GLSP Decree No 24 of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay November 8th 2005 Art 1. ABOLISH the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay and the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, signed on April 30 1986 . Art 2. NOTIFY the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay and all the Lodges and Triangles of the Obedience of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. Art 3. COMMUNICATE to the INTER-AMERICAN MASONIC CONFERENCE (CMI) and other Grand Lodges. Art 4. The present decree will be endorsed by Counselors, Presidents of the Grand Committees (Legal, Administrative and Financial) , once complied file . “Give due diligence to the measure requested and in view of this suspend the Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, Mr. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb and in his place Mr Ysabelino Nemesio Lichi Leguizamon should assume the office of Grand Master...“ Signed by Juan Brunetti Grand Secretary Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb Vice Gran Master acting as Grand Master V. Aguilar Gran Treasurer Carlos Cabrera L. Administrative Commission Edgar Sanchez Legal Commission Herbert Insfran Financial Commission Historical document setting a disastrous precedent . The Electoral profane Justice suspends the Grand Master in exercise and names the First Warden of that time as Grand Master Decree that leaves without effect the agreement of Peace and Friendship between the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay and the Supreme Counsel of the 33rd Degree. The Grand Lodge Commands Respect In view of such an outrage of a foreign power alien to Symbolism the Grand Master decides to abolish the Peace and Friendship Treaty in such a manner as to defend the sovereignty of the Grand Lodge. After which Bro. Nemesio Lichi turns to a profane Judicial order to claim the office of Grand Master. The second outrage, Freemasonry is profaned In this manner on November 10th 2005 the order number 234 of the Electoral Circuit Court of Asuncion reads “Give due diligence to the measure requested and in view of this suspend the Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, Mr. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb and in his place Mr Ysabelino Nemesio Lichi Leguizamon should assume the office of Grand Master...“ Fiscal Attorney of the Electoral Court acts to change the Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay For the fulfillment of this resolution the profane Court arranged the raid of the head office of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of the Paraguay, having the National Police carry out this task. In more than one hundred years of Freemasonry in Paraguay it was the first time that the Temples were invaded by a profane power, even the harshest dictatorships respected them. But the eagerness for power by Bro. Lichi and his followers had no limits. Illustrative journalistic clipping of the Newspaper La Nation of Feburary 16th 2006. 7 8 DOSSIER GLSP The Judge Hugo Sosa Pasmor allowed the imputation presented by the District Attorney Rocio Vallejos and processed Genaro Ramón Burro, President of Petropar, and all members of the Board of Directors; Artemio Castillo, Fernando Martinez, NEMESIO LICHI, Alfredo Gamarra Villalba and Victorio Caballero Gimenez for the crime of Injury of Confidence. In the city of Asuncion, Capital of the Republic of Paraguay, on July 25th of 2005, the District attorney from the specialized Economic Crime Unit, Victoria Acuña Ricardo comes forth with the object of Charging Ramón Isabelino Nuñez ID #726819 with address Juan de Lara #525 City of Lambare, and Architect Roberto Fernandez Schoeder (Architects Registration # 1040) with the following address España Avenue #1380 - Asuncion, with Punishable Acts against property. In consequence this representative of the Economic crime Unit charges Ramón Isabelino Gonzalez Nuñez and Architect Roberto Fernandez Schroeder as alleged authors of the punishable acts against property as considered in the Civil code of Law . Copy of the Certificate of Criminal records of Mr. Ysabelino Nemesio Lichi Leguizamón on whom a penal process was pending. Rapidly he forgot the principle of presumption of innocence, in order to claim the office of Grand Master. More details of the case of Injury of Confidence in which the recently named Grand Master by the profane justice Bro. Nemesio Lichi was involved in detriment of Petropar (Paraguayan National fuel Co.) I demand, but do not demand of me… The move to reach the office of Grand Master was well-known, but since the perfect crime does not exist, Nemesio Lichi was covering his eyes and was whistling knowing he also had a legal case pending: On him and on the candidate for Grand Master Roberto Fernández Schoeder also penal imputations were pending at the time, in the form of the Punishable act of INJURY OF CONFIDENCE and PUNISHABLE ACT AGAINST PATRIMONY respectively. Copy of first page of the Allocation Act dated 25/07/2005 made by the District Attorney of the Economic Crimes Unit . Victoria Acuña against Roberto Fernandez Schroeder for the alleged commission of an offense against property. Last part of the said Act of Imputation was not “checked“ by the Supreme Council for a suspension, as was done with Grandmaster candidate Reynaldo Dominguez Dibb. Fernandez enjoyed the sympathy of the Supreme Council 9 10 DOSSIER GLSP Explaining the Unexplainable... The whitch hunt... The Sovereign Grand Comendador of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree Bro. Jorge Goldenberg was approached by the newspaper ABC Color to explaining the reasons for the suspension Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. They never took into account the ongoing cases against the other candidate for the Grand Master, Bro. Roberto Fernandez Schroeder and of the “novel” Grand Master imposed by the Electoral Justice Bro. Nemesio Lichi, all of them active members of the in the Scottish Rite. This evidenced the intentions of the Supreme Council by not measuring everybody by the same yardstick in similar situations. The interests of that Power were not served by a Masonic Grand Master as Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb who favored a Multi ritualistic Masonry. After the humiliating raid on its headquarters and once embedded in the Masonic order, Nemesio Lichi started a real raid against his brothers, stopping anyone who thought differently, because since he lacked legitimacy he had no other way than to generate fear by the way of force and thus try to appease the discontent of the workers. For starters... The first decree of suspension by Nemesio Lichi fell on Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. Article #1 Suspend in his Masonic rights Master Mason Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb, from the Aurora #1 Lodge and Vice Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay , awaiting the definition of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree of the Scotish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay and following instructions of the Grand Comendador and in agreement with the article #10 of the Peace and Friendship treaty between both powers. Bros. related to the Grand Master Reinaldo Dominguez suffered the same penalty. The reason? They wouldn’t follow the imposed line of thought... Masons suspended Dominguez Dibb because he has a pending legal process. Article #1 Suspend in his Masonic rights Master Masons Carlos Cabrera Lopez, Edgar Sanchez, Heber Insfran , Valentin Aguilar and Juan Manuel Brunetti , awaiting the definition of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree of the Scotish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay and following instructions of the Grand Comendador and in agreement with the article #10 of the Peace and Friendship treaty between both powers. Bro. Jorge Goldenberg in an interview with the ABC newspaper on November 18th 2005 11 12 DOSSIER GLSP Article #1 Suspend in his Masonic rights Master Mason Juan Carlos Roig Robledo, of the Lodge Luz y Progreso #6, awaiting the definition of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree of the Scotish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay and following instructions of the Grand Comendador and in agreement with the article #10 of the Peace and Friendship treaty between both powers. Leaving no loose ends… The plan could be altered if the Grand Master with absence of leave, Bro. Juan Carlos Roig Robledo, would take back the position. Then they took advantage the printer was on high speed and another decree of suspension without any explanation was produced. The excuse was to endorse the suspension of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree. Cutting heads was the way to the office of Grand Master. Curious maneuver, Bro. Juan Carlos Roig could have assumed the office of Grand Master but out of the blue a decree of suspension y produced against him by Bro. Lichi. Article #1 Decree the temporal intervention of the Aurora of Paraguay #1 Lodge. Article # 2 Name the following Bros. As interventors, Antonio Fernandez Gadea, Eduardo Velasquez and Roger Ayala, who will direct the work of the lodge, verify any irregularities and assure Masonic regularity. They will inform the Gran Master regularly . Article #3 Suspend the following Bros. In their Masonic Rights , Euclides Acevedo Worshipful Master, Luis Oscar Boettner First Warden, Domingo Redondo Second Warden, Fabian Calderini Speaker and Cesar Escurra secretary . Lodge Aurora #1 , bastion of Resistance The Aurora Lodge, one of the most significant and oldest in Paraguayan Masonry, did not enter the scheme introduced by Lichi and continued in session as “permanent assembly” under the Worshipful Master Bro. Euclides Acevedo. No doubt this Lodge had a different line of thought with the “new administration” , which charged it as rebels and instigators. Soon after it was intervened and its authorities suspended. Decree of intervention of the Aurora del Paraguay #1 Lodge and of its authorities 13 14 DOSSIER GLSP Lodges Union y Progreso #9 and Pitagoras #17 These lodges are within the many who did not join the command of Nemesio Lichi and therefore also were intervened and their authorities suspended. Decree of intervention and suspension for Bros. of Lodges Union y Progreso #9 and Pitagoras #17 . 15 16 DOSSIER GLSP Lodges Fenix #127 and Federico el Grande #3 The worshipful Master of Lodge Fenix 127 Bro. Carlos Aquino Giraldi by order of the Lodge wrote a letter to Bro. Lichi not recognizing him as Grand Master. Needles to say this earned him his suspension. In the same manner some Bros. of the Federico El Grande Lodge abandoned the Lodge when Bro. Lichi entered their Lodge and ordered the Gavel be given to him. They were also suspended. In an atmosphere of general confusion and paralysis the Masonic year closes in 2005. Decree of suspension for Bro. Carlos Aquino for sending a letter not recognizing Bro. Lichi as Grand Master Several brothers of the Lodge Federico el Grande were suspended for refusing to participate in the Lodge after Bro. Lichi had violently entered the temple and took the Gavel from the hands of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge Bro. Carlile Gauto. 17 18 DOSSIER GLSP Article #1 Declare suspended and Kidnap the Charter for the following Lodges; Fraternidad Masonica #7, Bernardino Caballero #13, Concordia #15, St. Germain #19, Arandu #120, Giusseppe Garibaldi #122, Fenix #127, Perfecta Armonia 129 and the Triangles Caballero de San Juan #131 and Triangle Luz y Libertad #134. Hunting Lodges, part of the plan was to wipe out all Lodges who didn’t pledge their allegiance to the new administration as to smoothen the road ahead. The persecution continued throughout the year 2006... On February 15th The authorities imposed by the Electoral Court gave continuity to the persecution with the decree which suspended and kidnapped 10-Obedience charters from Lodges which still did not pledge their allegiance to the new administration . That same day Bro. Lichi signed a decree which suspended several Grand Representatives who thought as Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb and who were part of several Grand Committees with in the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay. Why February 15th? Nemesio Lichi would need to “legitimize” his actions and position, therefore he needed to call for elections for the office of Grand Master even though he was the only candidate. The proposed date for the elections was February 15th . On the morning of that day, he saw necessary to go even further and clear the way of any possible problems , suspending 19 Grand Representatives with the right to vote and kidnapping the Charter letters of 10 “Insurgent “ Lodges as he labeled them. By the same token all Grand Representatives who did not recognize the authority imposed by a profane power in the person of Bro. Lichi as Grand Master were suspended to assure the stability of the new administration 19 20 DOSSIER GLSP Decree No 42 of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree September 8th 2006 THE SOVEREIGN GRAND COMENDADOR OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE 33RD DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY, IN VIEW OF THE POWERS INVESTED IN HIM DECREES FIRST: EXPEL FROM THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF MASONRY THE SOVEREIGN COMENDADOR OF THE TEMPLE S.: C.: OF T.: REINALDO DOMINGUEZ DIBB 27o AND THEREFORE ERASE HIS NAME FROM THE RECORDS OF THE OBEDIENCE AND COMMUNICATE TO ALL MASONIC POWERS OF THE WORLD. SECOND: COMMUNICATE TO THE SYMBOLIC GRAND LODGE OF PARAGUAY THIRD COMMUNICATE the present Decree to all the Subordinate offices of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Republic of Paraguay. FOURTH INSTRUCT that the present Decree should be posted in all temples and communicate to any Powers that should be informed. FIFTH ACCOMPLISH, and then file. Signed by Luis Bernal Cabral 33o Secretary Grand Chancellor Jorge Goldenberg 33o Sovereign Grand Comendador Copy of Decree of Expulsion of Bro. Dominguez that evidences hostility against him considering that Lichi had to obtain a profane court order based on the resolution of the same Supreme council The Supreme Council expels Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez. By the same token all Grand Representatives who did not recognize the authority imposed by a profane power in the person of Bro. Lichi as Grand Master were suspended to assure the stability of the new administration On September 8, 2006, by Decree No. 42/2004-2007, the Supreme Council 33rd Degree expels Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. The reason?. Because he used a constitutional guarantee as is the appeal to the Electoral Court on the ban imposed by the Supreme Council. It argues that no Bro. may go to a profane court to claim his Masonic rights . Yes, you read that right... The Supreme Council punishes him for defending himself in the same arena that they saw fit to have Nemesio Lichi endorsed and claim the office of Grand Master by using a profane Judicial Resolution. Incredible, but true. Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez was aquitted A fact that was overlooked by the Supreme Council 33rd Degree and the Grand Lodge headed by Nemesio Lichi was the dismissal of Bro. Dominguez in the legal case against him. This showed that the only interest was that of obtaining the Grand Masters office at any cost and Gonzalez Macchi was condemned and is held in custody at the presidential Guard. Former President Luis Angel Gonzalez Macchi was sentenced to 8 years in prison after being found guilty of illegitimate enrichment and misrepresentation. It also ordered the special confiscation of US$ 362.000, and a fine of G. 3.000 million and 8 years of disqualification for holding public office. The case against Reinaldo Dominguez and Susana Galli for illegitimate enrichment was dismissed. no matter what. The damage caused to Bro. Dominguez is irreparable, they never even took the time to write him a note. 21 22 DOSSIER GLSP But why with the Electoral Justice ? One question that merits an independent analysis is why was the Electoral Justice chosen in order to gain access to the office of Grand Master. Bro. Nemesio Lichi in the Electoral Justice court sues Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb in an action searching for the disqualification of Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb as active member of Paraguayan Freemasonry. It is amazing to analyze the speed with which this sue proceeds 1) the proceeding and precautionary action were issued in less than a day 2) The raid and installment in office of the new Grand Master in less than a morning 3.) On the Contrary sensu , the appeals were rejected with no more than a two line unfounded sentence . Internal Problems... The recourse to profane justice was a violation that threatens the Civil Statutes of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. That is why it is transcribed as follows: in Article # 41. “The partners, either individually or collectively as well as the lodges, can not claim to any civil authority the resolutions of the Central or General Assembly, or of any another corporation of the institution, and must abide by what has been resolved in an authorized manner and according to the internal Laws... “ The above transcript is self evident and requires little effort to interpret, because given the nature of our association it is obvious that the determinations made under oath of silence and discretion, cannot be discussed in the secular world. At the same time when reference is made to “any other corporation” , the other Masonic corporation at that time was the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree whose resolution was the basis for resorting to secular authorities. Also, the Masonic Code is clear in its Article 32. “The Symbolic Grand Lodge has the right to accuse the Grand Master and Vice Grand Master before the Supreme Council of the 33 rd degree in case of poor performan- ce or for crimes in the exercise of their functions. Having declared they should allow the Legal Committee to promote a legal cause and have it confirmed by two thirds of votes present at a special assembly convened for that purpose... “ While this provision violates the autonomy of the Grand Lodge to provide that the Grand Master can be accused before the Supreme Council 33rd Degree, it establishes a procedure which is prior and binding. That is, the statement of reasons for prosecution can be formulated in two situations: 1) poor performance, 2) crimes committed in the exercise of their functions, allowing the Law Committee the prosecution, being the first condition the formulation of prosecution by the Law Committee and the second condition the confirmation of the Grand Lodge assembled with a required two-thirds majority of Representatives present in order to confirm the said prosecution. In the case in question these conditions were not fulfilled given the fact that the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree out of its own decided to suspend the Grand Master based on facts that do not fit either of the two conditions required in Article 32 of the Masonic Code. What is surprising is that Bro. Lichi in his sue just requested the disqualification of Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb as active member but the Electoral Justice went quite a bit further by suspending the Vice Grand Master and naming Bro. Lichi as provisional Grand Master without this ever being requested, in fact a Judicial Electoral agent was sent to the Grand Lodge to proceed and install Nemesio Lichi as the new Grand Master. The National Constitution (Art. 273-275) establishes the Electoral Justice as part of the judiciary system , and established the agency`s task as that of convening, judging, organizing, directing, supervising and monitoring the actions and issues arising from general elections, departmental and municipal governments, and the rights and titles of those elected. It’s no wonder Hospitals are without medical supplies and schools are falling apart. “Until when is Moralito (Juan Manuel Morales) and his fourth minister Carlos Quiñonez going to get away with it “ The Ultima Hora Newspaper in its edition of March 17th 2009 in the Section “Cuarto Oscuro“, in reference to the proximity of Bro. Quiñonez and Minister Morales It is clear that this judicial demand had No previous process in Masonic circuits as is established in our and laws must have proceeded if anything within the Civil court System and not the Electoral Judicial system. Even then, if we study the case within the electoral system the Sue should have been disregarded In Lamine in view of the Article 36 of the electoral Code : “The issues and internal disputes (...) may not be brought to the Electoral Court without first exhausting the internal statutory and regulatory pathways (...) “. The ABC newspaper in its edition of march 2nd 2009 also points out the importance of Carlos Quiñonez within the Electoral Justice . A worker of the Electoral Justice called the newspaper to comment on the tremendous party that was organized in the main auditorium of the Electoral Justice to celebrate the Birthday of the fourth minister, Carlos Quiñonez, man of compass and of square. Everybody was invited and they even had a live band to wish “this magician of finances“ a happy birthday. Mochito Morales (Juan Manuel Morales) even danced a little. 23 24 DOSSIER GLSP Obscure handling that sheds Light... The Superior Tribunal of Electoral Justice has as its highest authorities three judges who act in rotation as President, Vice President and membership. At that time, upon the filing of the action by Nemesio Lichi, the judges were Ministers Juan Manuel Morales, Alberto Ramirez and Rafael Dendia. One of the functions of the body is to manage and distribute financial and human resources allocated in the Budget of the Nation, according to the essential needs of all offices of the Electoral Justice, and therefore the figure of the Director General of Administration and Fi- nance is key for these purposes. And the owner of this vital Department of the Electoral Justice was none other than Bro. CARLOS ALBERTO QUIÑONEZ, whom the media linked as a sort of “fourth minister” due to the importance of his vote in decisionmaking. That influence would have been matched by his close relationship with Minister Juan Manuel Morales who was close to him in several public institutions in which he was director. In the edition of October 6th 2009 the Ultima Hora newspaper interviews Bro. Quiñonez in reference to the irregular bonus been collected by the ministers of the Electoral Court . Without a doubt his position was important for the ministers and his influence within the Electoral court determinant. Epigraph: In the same manner on January 19th 2010 the ABC newspaper brands Carlos Quiñonez as the fourth minister. The administrator of the Electoral Justice, Carlos Quiñonez confirmed that the ministers of the Electoral Justice are collecting a extra bonus of about 100% of their salaries violating the national law of Budget . The Administrator of the Electoral Justice, Carlos Quiñonez, yesterday confirmed in a phone conversation with Radio Primero de Marzo that the ministers of the Electoral Court Juan Manuel Morales and Alberto Ramirez Zambonini collect a monthly bonus in view of their responsibility in the positions as he classifies it. Candidate to the Head of the National Comptroller’s office did not comply with the requirement of declaring his assets. The ex general administrator of the Electoral Justice aspires to be named Head of the National Comptroller’s office with the precedent of not having presented his assets when he left several posts in public office . The process that has been opened in the chamber of senators in the search of a list of three candidates to occupy the post of Director of the National Comptroller’s office, and sub director of the Comptroller’s office has been met with polemic and controversy and affects all candidates who have held public office. Ultima Hora newspaper has gained access to documents of the Nationals Comptroller´s office which show that the ex administrator of the Electoral Justice , Carlos Quiñonez, has violated the Article #104 of the National constitution in reference to not presenting a sworn statement of assets. The mentioned article specifies that all public employees are obliged to present a sworn statement declaring their assets within 15 days after taking a new post or after leaving a post. Since 1993 Carlos Quiñonez was administrator for the national Postal Service, The Ministry of Labor and the Electoral Justice. During that period of time he presented four sworn statements, every time he accessed a new post and a fourth when he divorced. Clearly he failed to comply with the law since he did not present a sworn statement every time he left a post. The fact that he did not present a sworn statement of his assets every time he left a post only fuels doubts about the origins of his assets. In this sense the Comptroller’s office adds to the doubts since it also ignored what is established In the law. The comptroller Octavio Airaldi ordered Carlos Quiñonez statements checked . Its surprising the result of this work produced a favorable conclusion by the part of the comptroller even though the sworn statements required by law to be presented leaving a public post were never presented. Needless is to say that the comptroller office also ignored their own regulations since it is clearly established that these checks should be made between the sworn statements of a person entering a post and then when leaving the post. Carlos Quiñonez was named last November Grand Master , the highest office among Masons. Its no coincidence that Octavio Airaldi is also a Mason. Some legislators consulted agree that this coincidence is what produced the favorable result of the comptroller office. The fourth Minister , in the Political Arena Carlos Quiñonez was recognized by this tittle since he had ample power as administrator of the enormous budget of the Electoral Justice. If we look at his personal finances we can see that he had a high standard of living during his years as public server. Overseas The Ultima Hora Newspaper tried to contact Carlos Quiñonez to get his version of the facts in reference to his no presentations of the sworn statement of assets while he was a public employee , at his home we were told he was overseas and they didn’t know when he would return. A shroud man Looking into his career we are told that Carlos Quiñonez is a Shroud man that based on strategy and a medium profile reached positions administrating public assets and power in all the posts he had. He is considered the right hand man for Juan Manuel Morales who had him as administrator in the Ministry of Labor and later as administrator in the Electoral Justice. Carlos Quiñonez was considered the “Fourth minister“ of the Electoral Justice that only last year had a Budget of 222 thousand million Guaranies (aprox. 55.5 million dollars). At the same time its assumed he applies influence as Grand Master of the Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay. An illustrative note of the Ultima Hora newspaper in its edition of September 27th of 2010 where it describes the situation of Bro. Carlos Quiñonez In addition to the ministers, the administration director has allot of power. Since 1995 only two people have held the position, Lorenzo irigotia and Carlos Quiñonez. Obiously they have a very good relationship with the National General Comptroller´s office, since they have never found any administrative irregularities within the electoral justice. Information in the ABC newspaper on the 29th of August 2009, in which we can see the extent of the power of the Financial Administrator of the Electoral Justice , Carlos Quiñonez . For those of you that believe that public servers don’t earn enough, In the Centenario Club main board there is a application for membership posted by Carlos Quiñonez, fourth minister of the Electoral Justice and its administrator. The amount required as membership fee to the club is Gs. 350.000.000. The solicitor traveled overseas on vacations by his own means as he pointed out. Its hard to maintain loyalty when you are out in the cold. The fourth minister of the Electoral Justice is slowly backstabbing his partner Moralito. He must abandon his position in September, but Quiñonez is already operating the strings to place a follower of Nicanor in his place. It is also mentioned that Quiñonez ended up with some dividends that belonged to Mochito, the product of some allocated contracts. Information of the ABC Newspaper of the 19th of April 2009 25 26 DOSSIER GLSP The Ultima Hora newspaper dedicates space to the results of the Masonic elections where Bro. Carlos Quiñonez is elected as Grand Master. Masons elect the ADMINISTRATOR of the Electoral Justice as Grand Master. Guatemala is worried... The Grand Lodge of Guatemala was the first international Masonic power to express concern about what happened, and sent a note in support of Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. The Masons of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay elected this past Sunday their new authorities. The administrator of the Electoral Justice was elected as Grand Master. A confesion of his own… The Lodge Paz y Justicia #12 and its influence In 2005 Bro. Carlos Quiñonez was general administrator of the Electoral Justice and at the same time Worshipful Master of the Lodge Paz y Justicia #12. the after mentioned Lodge is known for having been the cradle of Sovereign Grand inspectors of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree. Among them are Bro. Luis Bernal, today in day Grand Chancellor secretary and Edgar Usher who passed away last April 7th and who was the General Treasurer of the Supreme. It is from this Lodge that peace between the Grand Lodge and the Supreme Council was broken and the road was set for the actions to follow by the Electoral Justice. Paid influence… In the year 2006, in elections held behind closed doors for the Grand Representatives and others, the Vice Grand Master Reinaldo Domiguez Dibb was suspended and Bro. Carlos Quiñonez was elected as speaker for the Grand Lodge of Nemesio Lichi becoming in essence the strong man in the group, all this while the appeals in the Electoral Justice were been denied with few arguments. His success in the Grand Lodge could have seduced him to become the next Grand Master, he was proposed and competed with Bro. Alejandro Dedoff and Manfred Schreiber, both of them Grand inspectors. In the Newsletter No. 412 dated September 16th 2009 of the “Revista de la Libertad“ a magazine published by the CSGLP body based in the street Boggiani, a letter written by Bro. Carlos Quinonez is published with an electorate message a couple of days before the election day of the Centennial Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay , the name adopted after the schism. Grand Master Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb Grand Lodge of Paraguay What is surprising about this letter is a part of it titled Our actions in the recent Past “Freemasonry , starting in November of 2005 has regained its institutional line which it had lost due to authoritarianism and the abuse of power“. Grand Master in exercise, with a deep feeling we have learned of what has happened against Masonic Regularity in the Orient of Paraguay. The Grand Lodge of Guatemala and its Grand Master recognize any person elected following the uses ,customs, constitutions and landmarks are the maximum authorities, always maintaining the Masonic Code which allows for democratic elections which permit the will of all Paraguayan masons to express themselves. To Recover that which was lost has not been easy. We were four Bros. which in June 2005 agreed that we could not remain indifferent and inactive with the crazy way our institution was been directed . We started meeting regularly to systematically plan a recovery movement of the basic tenets of Masonry. This would necessarily begin with gaining access to the direction of our Grand Lodge through a group of Bros. embodied in the values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, philanthropy, solidarity and democracy.“ (sic Carlos Quinonez) Each is free to interpret this the way one sees fit . The events were organized and executed according to a plan that was deviced in the offices of the Electoral Justice. In June 2005 the plan was started and it bore fruits five months later. On Sunday November 8th Carlos Quiñonez was undisputed at the polls and was to follow Nemesio Lichi as Grand Master of the Centennial Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay. Following this, the Grand Lodge of Guatemala expresses its support for the Grand Master Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb and requests that the Grand Architect of the Universe shine light on Paraguayan Masons so they can come through this difficult moment. Edgar Alfredo Herrera de Leon Grand Master 27 28 DOSSIER GLSP In defense of the institutional line... In February 2006 a group of about 300 brothers gathered in premise of Grand Master Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb and decided to continue the assembly-act on the date set after the recess, or March 3rd. A call begins and it is decided to carry on in the International Hotel, in view that at the time the temples were guarded by armed guards and to gain access one had to present the national identification card and have the approval of Lichi or any of his close associates. The Hiram temple is constructed… At this point and with the support of Pas Grandmaster Dominguez, who allows the use of one of his properties , on March 29 the Temple of Hiram is consecrated . A small temple but in accordance to the necessity and urgency of the moment, while the planning for the construction of a larger temple on the same property is carried out. The revival of Symbolism… Truly imbued with Masonic institutionalist spirit , on Friday March 3rd the assembly continued . Grandmaster Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb opened the assembly and expressed his withdrawal from the candidacy to Grand Master, and in the absence of Bro. Roberto Fernandez Schroeder, a motion is proposed to promote the candidacy of Bro. Ignacio Mendoza Unzain. Since he was the only candidate motioned his election is by unanimous vote of those present. Concluded the election act , he sets the main goals of work, with them the exposure of the situation of Paraguayan Freemasonry in international organizations. Time prior to the opening ceremony of the Temple of Victoria. Hotel International Opening ceremony of the Temple which houses 200 Bros. comfortably seated. Ritual Ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Temple of “La Victoria“ built in a record time of 40 days with the contributions of all the brethren. 29 30 DOSSIER GLSP The Illustrious brother Hernando Osorio Rico lecturing to a packed auditorium at the Conference on Secularism in the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Law, National University of Asunción. Article #1 Bro. Edgar Sanchez Caballero is appointed Guarantor of Friendship of the Grand Orient of Brazil before the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay. Copy of the Decree produced by the Grand Orient of Brazil naming Bro. Edgar Sanchez Guarantor of peace The road to Recognition The situation of Paraguayan Masonry was first exposed In the twentieth Regular Meeting of the Inter American Masonic Confederation (CMI) held in Guatemala City in April 2006. On that occasion the Grand Master Ignacio Mendoza Unzain had the opportunity to expose the reality of the moment, and presented papers and discussed the details of the secular judicial intervention at our institution. After deliberation, the Assembly unanimously resolved to offer mediation so as to reach a fraternal solution of the problem. This offer was immediately accepted by Grandmaster Mendoza, but not Resolution of the Grand Lodge of Rio de Janeiro in which it names Bro. César Núñez Alarcón as Guarantor of Friendship with the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. by Bro. Lichi, who said he would submit the offer for consideration by his Grand Lodge and then answer. Recognitions… Thanks to the efforts of Grandmaster Mendoza and his companions at the meeting the Recognition of the Grand Orient of Brazil was achieved, and as proof of fulfillment of the commitment a document was signed and Bro. Edgar Sanchez Caballero was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Orient of Brazil and as Grand Representative of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Bro. Domingus Jersirio Mendes was appointed. Diploma “Ordem do Merito Maçónico“ issued by the Grand Lodge of Rio de Janeiro to the Past Grand Master, Ignacio Mendoza Unzain. At the same time the exchange of representatives and mutual recognition with the Grand Masonic Lodge of the State of Rio de Janeiro was achieved, being appointed Grand Representative to our power Bro. César Núñez Alarcón. In December of 2006, we were honored with the visit of the illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Chile, Bro. Jorge Carvajal Muñoz, who was carrying the explicit recognition of his Grand Lodge. At the time he also spoke before the secular world of his own work on secularism. European and Latin officials at the Conference on Secularism in the Law School of the National University. 31 32 DOSSIER GLSP Buenos Aires , June 26th 2006 Matter: Response to Bro. Nemesio Lichi Buenos Aires June 13th 2006 Dear Bros. Nemesio and Ignacio From the meeting held on the occasion of the Assembly of the CMI Area VI held in Santiago de Chile I have not had news of you or of your representatives. This worries me in terms of the time elapsed and at least from the CMI´s standpoint, we have not heard from you. So then I proceed to remind you that the last and unofficial proposal I made to you Ignacio and to Nemesio´s -representative in Santiago. The proposal is ‘unofficial’ in view that an official mediation had not been accepted therefore it is the only proposal I can make in order to contribute to harmony in your Grand Lodge. The proposal for your consideration in essence is the following; a) An electoral roll must be produced which includes all Master Masons in the Orient, this implies that all sanctions are waived to allow all Brothers the right to vote. b) Once the roll is made a call for direct elections between two candidates is carried out, therefore the one that obtains the majority of votes will be elected Grand Master (half of the able votes plus one). c) Commitment by both parties to support the outcome of the election and ensuring full support to the winner in order to have a successful management. d) Commitment by both parties, once the election indicated in b), immediately make the appropriate choice under the Statutes of the Grand Lodge, with full support for ratification as decided by the choice above to represent, from our perspective, Masonic public sentiment. e) The entire process described above, if it is your desire will be supervised by the Inter American Masonic conference (CMI) I hope to have your answers in writing be them positive or otherwise. Also I request you to disclose the tenor of this letter to all your Brothers. I await your response and hope the Grand Architect of the Universe allows for peace and harmony to prevail soon in your Orient. Fraternally Bro. Jorge Alejandro Vallejos Executive Secretary – Inter American Masonic Conference - CMI Bro. Jorge Alejandro Vallejos Executive secretary of the CMI Respectable Bro. : As has been reported and documented at the time, the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay has acted on the basis of its positive legislation in the case of suspension of Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb. The group of insurgent Bros. who have not accepted the separation of the former Vice Grand Master from the exercise of the office of Grand Master have been declared illegal according to our laws. The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay has proceeded to elections of its authorities, as is provided in our legislation and has : • Effective, stable and consolidated authority • Is legally legitimate • It has the Recognition, consent and participation of all the Lodges who are part of it . • The capacity and effective exercise of its sovereignty • The possession and use of all properties of the Grand orient of Paraguay • An institutional , participative and democratic government In this way, we can assure you that your wishes for peace and harmony to reign in this Symbolic Grand Lodge, are met. Under the rule of law, law enforcement is the guarantee of peace and harmony, and our union is based on respect and justice. The Bros. that have rebelled against the institutional order, if they wish to return must first submit to their Lodges and to this Grand Lodge that combines them . The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay will not accept impositions or proposals that are other than those stipulated in its legislation. The law must be respected and no exceptions must be made . I want to remind you that this Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay has not requested any arbitration or mediation, and as far as those requested by insurgent Bros. in this jurisdiction, neither has it been accepted. In order to give comfort to the Bros. of the Confederated Grand Lodges , this Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay has invited you to visit us and find in situ, the reality of the facts. Such an invitation has been accepted by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Peru and President of the Sixth CMI area Bro. Alberto Montezuma Zavaleta, who willingly has promised the Paraguayan delegation attending the Annual Meeting of the VI CMI area in Santiago, Chile, to come to our country together with other Grand Masters in the very near future, a date which this Grand Lodge will officially disclose. We believe that the pressure from the Executive Secretariat, who has made unofficial proposals, with the respect we have for Bro. Jorge Alejandro Vallejos, are an improper interference in the internal affairs of this Grand Lodge. And favor intentionally or not, the insurgent Bros. seeking the support of the CMI to remedy their violations and abuses. RUBEN DARIO VERA LOPEZ Gran Secretario Proposal of the Executive Secretary of the CMI for the resolution of the Conflict. I have received your letter dated June 15th and I am pleased to respond it. It is necessary, then, to carefully clarify some specific points of your letter , which are obviously distorted. They are related to the phrase ‘do not accept impositions...’ the last paragraph of the first page and the last paragraph in the part that reads: ‘is an improper interference in the internal affairs of this Grand Lodge. “ NEMESIO LICHI Ser.: Gran Maestro From the transcript it is quite evident that there is a conflict which threatens peace and harmony.. Moreover I remind you that you were present as observers together with Bro. Mendoza. Both of you were entitled to voice in the Commission of Grand Masters and also in the Grand Assembly. But you never mentioned your opposition to the resolution mentioned above. Moreover everyone in Guatemala remembered both your words as those of Bro. Mendoza as well as the warm and fraternal hug that you gave each other seeking to work for the unity of masonry in Paraguay. This in our view opened a promising door to rapid resolution of the conflict. Also in this Great Assembly Bro. Mendoza saw fit to request the mediation of the CMI for the resolution of internal conflicts, as expressly authorized by the art. 26 bis of the Statute of the CMI. You promised to deliver your answer within ten days after the assembly. This response was not received within the time you had said and that’s how we arrived at the General Assembly of the Zone VI of the CMI held in Santiago Chile between the 26th and 28th of May 2006 . This Zonal Assembly referred in the last paragraph attended on your behalf by a delegation headed by Bro. Manfred Schreiber, and also attended by Bro. Mendoza. And After the meeting at which we were advised of the rejection of the mediation of the CMI, we shared as usual lunch in which I was lucky to be seated in front of Bro. Mendoza and Bro. Schreiber, and of course surrounded by other Grand Masters. On that occasion, and obviously with the intention of contributing to finding solutions that could be conducive to the conflicting parties, is that the Executive Secretary raised the proposal that was in my first letter, which we called unofficial because as officially the mediation had been rejected there was no possibility for a official proposal. And it is in reference to this proposal, that Bros. Mendoza and Schreiber pledged a commitment for consideration to their bodies and to respond in proper time. Finally, and seen as there was no formal response is that the Executive Secretary decided to send the pertinent reminder that, fortunately, has resulted in your formal response. Bro. Nemesio, I hope to have brought to mind the sequence of events on this issue to dispel the erroneous idea of “imposition” or “improper interference” (sic) to which you refer in your letter. Furthermore and with regard to the decision you have taken, it is part of the rights and powers attributed to the office of Grand Master, so no questioning or demerit can be made about this, as it is clearly stated in our statutes. Also Bro. I request you disclose this letter to all Bros. as when you sent your letter dated June 15th 2006., so they can have all the background in reference to this subject . At the same time Bro. I have attached my first letter to this one and I am sending it all Grand Lodges of the VI Zone to whom you sent your response so as to allow them to have all the background on this subject . Also Bro. I appreciate the promptness of your formal response which will allow it to be considered at the next meeting of the Executive Council of the CMI. Finally Bro. allow me to continue asking the G. •. A. •. D. •. U. •. For peace and harmony to prevail soon in your Orient , not only for your good but for that of the whole Order and of Latin American Freemasonry , which in particular suffers from this type of situation. In the security that you can always count on the Executive Secretary and the CMI to be useful tools for the good of our Order, I greet you with a triple and Fraternal embrace. Bro. Jorge Alejandro Vallejos Executive Secretary CMI Letter from Bro. Vallejos to Bro. Lichi. At this point in time Bro. Lichi had still not accepted the mediation on behalf of the CMI, on the contrary he had accused the CMI of “improper interference“ in the internal affairs of the Grand Lodge . Answer of Bro. Lichi to the proposal sent by Bro. Jorge Vallejos , Executive secretary of the CMI The VI Zone witness to the Embrace of Lima Lichi vs. The CMI Meanwhile, as the conflict in Paraguay reached the ears of the International Masonic Community, especially in Latin America. The holder of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay legitimized by the Electoral Justice, Bro. Nemesio Lichi disputed the criteria offered by the Nothing could be farther from reality that the two references in your note. Indeed, the CMI is not to carry out enforcement of any kind, much less be meddling in internal affairs of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay as of any other. Instead everything done so far has been within the framework of agreements reached at the Grand Assembly of Guatemala and the priority interest of the CMI in trying to help solve problems that may afflict the Confederated Grand Lodges; this obviously is possible only to the extent that the parties involved in the conflict allow such a participation. In this order of ideas and to support those expressed in the previous paragraph, is that I must remind you of the decision by the Committee of Grand Masters, held on the occasion of the celebration of the twentieth Grand Assembly of the CMI, developed from 6 to April 8th, 2006 in Guatemala of the Asuncion. A resolution that was passed in the plenary of the Assembly, and in its sixth points reads: ‘SIXTH: Recommend after listening, analyzing and reflecting on the situations of the Grand Lodges Paraguay and Baja California (Mexico), the fraternal invitation to seek and obtain the agreement of the parties in conflict, commissions been designated in order for the CMI to mediate always keeping in mind the postulates and validity of Article 26 Bis of the Statute of the Inter-American Masonic Federation. “ once again, according to the jurisprudence of the CMI for such conflicts, both were admitted as observers, entitled to speak but not to vote. During the Assembly Bro. Schreiber reported that his Grand Lodge did not accept the mediation of the CMI. Beyond the sadness that this decision caused us, which involved the inability of the CMI official action in resolving the conflict, there could be no reproach, and in fact there were none, since it is a right to the opposing parties recognized by CMI in our own legislation. Executive Secretary of the Inter American Masonic Confederation Bro. Jorge Vallejos, demonstrating from the very beginning a refusal to address the crisis and labeling the Bros. of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay as insurgents. In March 2007 the annual assembly of the CMI Area VI held in Lima, Peru . The Paraguayan situation and non fraternal attitudes of Bro. Lichi stand out once again , when he labels the delegation of Bros. headed by Bro. Mendoza as “irregular Brothers “. As a conclusion it is decided that the Executive Board Meeting to be held in Rio de Janeiro will try to reach a solution on the Paraguayan Crisis. The famous “Embrace of Lima“ was a balm for the intentions of unification that Paraguayan and Universal Freemasonry craved. Unfortunately it would be in vain. 33 34 DOSSIER GLSP Report and recommendations of the Triangle on the problem of Paraguayan Fremasonry In Rio de Janeiro a decision is reached on the Mediation on behalf of the CMI On that understanding, from 4 to May 6 the Executive Council of the CMI meets in Rio de Janeiro with the presence of both Grand Masters and takes the following resolution with the express agreement of Bro. Lichi: TO Form a triangle composed of the Grand Masters Hernando Osorio of Cartagena, Cevallos Ruben Dario from CMI in Paraguay Bogota and Patricio Caicedo from Ecuador to go to Asuncion in order to raise all relevant facts in reference to each group and to submit a report to be discussed in the meeting in Buenos Aires in December. Each of the part assumes the obligation of 50% of the cost of travel and lodging of the members of the triangle. Thus, between May 24th and May 27th the Grandmasters Triangle was established in Paraguay and held several meetings with Both Grand Masters and their companions. At these meetings the Grand Master Ignacio Mendoza offered several possible fraternal solutions, from establishing a collegiate government up to holding new elections provided all sanctions to Bros. are waived and secular legal action lifted. Unfortunately, Bro. Lichi and his advisers rejected all the options and the Grand Masters of the triangle left without achieving a Masonic solution, despite the efforts deployed. 35 36 DOSSIER GLSP 37 38 DOSSIER GLSP Resolution of the Executive Council of the (CMI) on the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay The CMI decides in Buenos Aires… Buenos Aires, December 19th, 2007 To All the Grand Lodges Affiliated to the C.M.I. Regarding: RESOLUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF C.M.I. DEAR BRETHREN: Resolution by the Council of the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Confederation of Masonry. In regards to the current situation of The Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay. Gathered in the city of Buenos Aires, this 13th day of December of 2007, the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Confederation of Freemasons (C.M.I.), with the presence of its’ President, M:.R:.B:. Rafael Eduardo Aragón Guevara, G:. M:. of the G:. L:. of Guatemala; the Executive Secretary, M:.R:.B:. Jorge Alejandro Vallejos, Past G:.M:. of the G:.L:. of Argentina; in representation of the First Zone, M:.R:.B:. Jacinto Rocha Monasterio, G:.M:. of the United G:.L:. of Mexico; in representation of the Second Zone, M:.R:.B:. Eric de Jean Jacques, G:.M:. of the G:.L:. Haiti; in representation of the Third Zone, Absent ; in representation of the Fourth Zone, M:.R:.B:. Hernando Osorio Rico, G:.M:. of the National Serene Grand Lodge of Colombia; in representation of the Fifth Zone, M:.R:.B:. Rui Silvio Stragliotto, G:.M:. of the G:.L:. do Estado do Río Grande do Sul; in representation of the Sixth Zone, M:.R:.B:.Alberto Montezuma Zavaleta, G:.M:. of the G:.L:. of Peru; having resolved: Having seen, what has been informed and suggested by the Triangle that had been assigned by the Executive Council, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 6th, 2007 (V:.E:.), formed by the Grand Masters, M:.R:.B:. Hernando Osorio Rico, Serene Grand Master of the Serene Grand Lodge of Colombia, situated at Bogota; M:.R:.B:.Ruben Dario Ceballos Mendoza, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Columbia, situated in Bogota; M:.R:.B:. Patricio Caicedo Rios, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ecuador, situated in Guayaquil, which text accompanies, as well as posterior communication sent by the C.M.I: Executive Secretary. The mentioned triangle was formed by conformity of both groups which are disputing leadership of the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay, of which both groups committed to paying half of all expenses incurred by the members of the Triangle, the Council of the Inter-American Confederation of Free-Masonry (CMI) has resolved unanimously among all present the following: Recognize M:.R:.B:. Ignacio Mendoza, as Grand Master and legitimate representative of the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay (Gran Logia Simbólica del Paraguay) before the InterAmerican Confederation of Freemasonry (C.M.I.) Noting that this declaration does not imply irregularity of either group which were in dispute of representation of the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay. Notify all Confederated Grand Lodges that maintain relationship with this Confederation. Without further ado, I send you all my most fraternal regards from Buenos Aires. M:.R:.B:. Jorge A. Vallejos Executive Secretary C.M.I: On December 13th, the CMI Executive Council met in Buenos Aires. After hearing the detailed report of the Triangle formed in Asuncion, it unanimously resolved to acknowledge Bro. Ignacio Mendoza Unzain as Grand Master and legitimate representative of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay before the Inter American Masonic Confederation (CMI) . Open Doors… International Agreements California Sponsored by the Brothers mentioned in the previous paragraph and added Bro. Thomas Jackson, Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Grand Lodges a Charter of California is subscribed on February 17th , 2009, and signed by the Grand Masters Nemesio Lichi, Ignacio Mendoza, and signing as witnesses Bro. Engelfield Bro. Tardivat, Bro. Jackson and Bro. Colaccioppo. This agreement held short concise points in the search for the ultimate unity of the Paraguayan Freemasonry. Based on the resolution of the CMI Grand Master Ignacio Mendoza decreed a great jubilee on January 2008, inviting all Bros. working under the obedience of Bro. Lichi to join the work of the Grand Lodge headed by him. This call was successful because six Lodges and two triangles joined the Work of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. The then Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Bro. Ignacio Mendoza at the time of the signing of the Letter of California. The GLSP in England and France … Grand Master Mendoza decides on making a tour of Europe, specially France and England, thanks to the support provided by Bro. Tulio Colaccioppo (Chancellor of the Grande Orient of Brazil) who decides to accompany him on the tour. The purpose is to report the situation of Paraguayan Freemasonry for which they arrive in the month of December and are received by the authorities the French National Grand Lodge, Bro. Jean Claude Tardivat and the United Grand Lodge of England, Bro. Allan Engelfield. There they commit to continue seeking the unity of Paraguayan Freemasonry and in that sense they are summoned to attend the Conference of Grand Lodges of North America to be held in California on February 2009. The Past Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Ignacio Mendoza Unzain made a tour of France and England in 2008, where he met with the Masonic authorities of those powers. He visited the headquarters of the National Grand Lodge of France in which he was received by Past Grand Master Jean-Claude Tardivat. He also visited the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England (United Grand Lodge of England) where he was received by the Pro Grand Master of the UGLE, Spencer Douglas David Compton, 7th Marquess of Northampton, accompanied by the Grand Chancellor of the UGLE, Alan John Englefield and Thomas W. Jackson Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Grand Lodges. Bros. Nemesio Lichi and Ignacio Mendoza were given a chance to speak before Bro. Alan John Englefield , Thomas W. Jackson, Jean Claude Tardivat and Tullio Colaccioppo. The Past Grand Master Ignacio Mendoza and the Grand Speaker Bro. Edgar Sanchez in company with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California. 39 40 DOSSIER GLSP Letter of California XXI Assembly of the CMI - Ratification of the Resolution of Buenos Aires Paraguayan Delegation headed by Bro. Ignacio Mendoza Unzain, at the time Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. The resolution arrived at in Bogota by the Grand Assembly of the Inter American Masonic Conference- CMI confirms and ratifies the Resolution of Buenos Aires in reference to the recognition of Bro. Ignacio Mendoza Unzain as the only Grand Master for the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay Ratifying the Letter of Buenos Aires The then Grand Treasurer of GLSP, bro. Marcos Zaracho in the company of American authorities of Freemasonry, including the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Argentina Bro. Ángel Jorge Clavero and the Chancellor of Great Orient of Brazil, Bro. Tullio Colaccioppo. In the month of April the XXI Ordinary Assembly of the CMI was held in Bogotá, Colombia where the Grand Masters of the Confederated Grand Lodges resolved unanimously to ratify the Board’s decision taken in Buenos Aires on December 2007. Another Agreement: ARLINGTON Original Letter of California Following the path of the Charter of California and on the occasion of the meeting of the Conference of Grand Lodges of North America, this time in Arlington on February 2010, the agreement is concluded with specific provisions with strict deadlines so that if they are not met by the parties they desist of any international recognition. The Past Grand Master Mendoza at the moment of his vote to renew the authorities of the Inter American Masonic Conference-CMI 41 42 DOSSIER GLSP The Arlington Agreement “From now on, the assets of Symbolic Masonry will be absolutely disconnected from any other Masonic body..” Some of the points missed by Carlos Quiñonez in the Arlington Agreement. Never split the assets between the Supreme Council and the GLSP. Bros. Alan John Englefield and Thomas W. Jackson signing the Arlington Agreement . The Paraguayan delegations with the representatives of England , USA and France , Bros. Alan John Englefield , Thomas W. Jackson and Jean-Claude Tardivat respectively 43 44 DOSSIER GLSP New authorities for the GLSP On March 2010, Bro. Euclides Acevedo assumed as the Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, replacing Bro. Ignacio Mendoza, on this occasion there were present seven Grand Masters and ten other Grand Lodges were represented. : Bro. Euclides Acevedo receives the Grand Master´s apron from the hands of his predecessor Bro. Ignacio Mendoza Unzain Declaration of Asunción The Executive Secretary of the American Masonic Confederation, Bro. Rafael Aragon Guevara gave luster to the ceremony of Pose Charge with his presence. The act took place in the Yacht & Golf Club before more than five hundred brothers . In the month of August 2010 Bro. Thomas Jackson, Rafael Aragon, Executive Secretary of the CMI, Hernando Osorio President of the World Conference of Grand Lodges and Tulio Colaccioppo met in Asunción in order to check the progress of the unification process and as a follow up of it the Declaration of Asuncion is signed by the Grand Masters Euclides Acevedo and Carlos Quiñonez. Almost a postcard shot of an encounter that seemed to be the hinge to unification. Nothing could have been further from reality Signing of the Declaration of Asuncion Words of Bro. Ignacio Mendoza Unzaín to a massive turnout of Grand Masters of Grand Lodges of Latin America. 45 46 DOSSIER GLSP The begining of the end Verification of compliance Following the international road map we find that in January of this year, the Executive Secretary of the CMI issued the Agreement 38/10 asking the Grand Masters Quiñonez and Acevedo a report detailing the compliance of the international commitments, as the CMI Executive Council was scheduled to meet in Guayaquil in April and would study the documents presented. In February in Denver Colorado, with the occasion of the meeting of the North American Grand Lodges, they meet one again to study the compliance with the international agreements . Moment in which the documents submitted by the Grand Master Euclides Acevedo are reviewed. The documents presented by Bro. Carlos Quiñónez were not submitted on time, but were received as a courtesy. However it was obvious there was a non compliance with several points of the agreements Report of the Grand Master Euclides Acevedo on the compliance with commitments made in all the agreements signed in pursue of the unification of Freemasonry in Paraguay. At the same time it also points out the lack of compliance by Bro. Carlos Quinonez. The Vice Grand Master and the Past Grand Master represented the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay 47 48 DOSSIER GLSP The CMI issues it definite statement On April 15th the CMI Executive Council met in Guayaquil, Ecuador and after reviewing the documentation presented by the Grand Masters Quiñonez and Acevedo the CMI resolved: Mr. Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Grand Lodges Respectable Brother THOMAS JACKSON The Very Respectable Brothers who undersign this note, Grand Masters united under the INTER-AMERICAN MASONIC CONFERENCE, wish to express to you our unrestricted adherence to the Resolution adopted by the Executive Council of the CMI in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Recognizing the succession line of the Very Respectable Brother EUCLIDES ACEVEDO CANDIA as Grand Master and representative for the one and only Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. This determination is the result of almost six years of study of the Paraguayan situation, and therefore based on solid grounds. We cannot admit the authority of a Grand Master who´s obedience cohabits in a promiscuous way and is interdependent with the Supreme council of the 33rd degree. Neither can we recognize a Grand Master who is successor to a line installed by profane judicial authorities. We hope this decision will be respected and validated by the Most Respectable Conference which Executive Secretariat your illustrious person holds. The regional agreements must be considered and respected, because of the real closeness with the evaluated situations. With our sincere fraternal regards. The World Conference of Grand Lodges in line with the CMI Based on this resolution we received a email from the Executive Chairman of the World Conference of Grand Lodges which reports that only Bros. with permission of Grand Master Euclides Acevedo will be admitted to the World conference of Grand Lodges. From May 12th to May 14th in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia the World Conference of Grand Lodges was carried out, the only delegation of Paraguay admitted was that of Grand Master Euclides Acevedo. Eloquent support for the Grand Master Euclides Acevedo, nearly all of the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges in the Inter American Masonic Conference - CMI signed a letter to Bro. Thomas Jackson, Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Grand Lodges. In it they disapprove the promiscuous cohabitation of the Supreme Council and Symbolism and they don’t recognize a Grand Master installed by a secular judiciary order. 49 50 DOSSIER GLSP Q:. H:. Euclides Acevedo y Carlos Alberto Quiñones: De manera muy fraternal les envío copia de la resolución del Consejo Ejecutivo de la Confederación Masónica Interamericana, que contiene la decisión tomada en relación con el caso de la muy Resp:. Gran Logia Simbólica del Paraguay. De acuerdo con la decisión tomada por el Consejo Ejecutivo, la Confederación Masónica Interamericana solo reconoce como representante de la muy Resp:. Gran Logia Simbólica de Paraguay, al muy Resp:. Gran Maestro Ven:. H:. Euclides Acevedo Candia y así se lo ha comunicado a la XI Conferencia Mundial de Grandes Logias Regulares. Para efecto de las inscripciones, recibiremos fraternalmente el listado de la Delegación que autorice el muy Resp:. Gran Maestro Euclides Acevedo Candia, con fundamento en la resolución arriba mencionada. Fraternalmente, Hernando Osorio Rico Past:. Gran Maestro y Presidente Ejecutivo de la XI Conferencia de Grandes Logias Regulares Letter from the President of the 11th World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges in which he specifies that the Grand Master Euclides Acevedo and his delegation would be the only delegation from Paraguay admitted to the Conference ce in the figure of the Grand Orient of Paraguay. Under the terms Article 1 of the Masonic Code that governs them, “The Grand Orient for the Republic of Paraguay is composed by a) the very powerful Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree b) The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. “In that order respectively. Since both are ideal figures and individually neither of them exists before the law, they must coexist under the name of Grand Orient of Paraguay, this is the reason they share the management of assets and liabilities under that name. But… What is behind all of this ? Supreme Interests… Dear Reader, all you have read above is based on solid evidence , nothing was written at random. The idea of this dossier is that each can draw their own conclusions with the zealous approach that is held in each initiate to reach the truth. Everything has a reason... The plan of the Supreme Council was going well until December 2007, when the Executive Board of the Inter American Masonic Conference –CMI in its meeting in Buenos Aires decided to recognize Bro. Ignacio Mendoza as the only Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. Since then the Supreme Council pointed its chips towards the international arena since it could not be supported by an unrecognized Grand Lodge. The crisis began when the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree felt its interests within the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay were threatened as it was clear Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb was the virtual winner of the Grand Master elections. Therefore it seized the moment and the “services” of the profane justice to avert the danger. Having their cake and eating it too… The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Quiñonez and the Supreme Council of Goldenberg have their reason of existen- It is known that a Supreme Council can only exist if it is recognized by a Regular Grand Lodge. However, the regularity of the Grand Lodge of Quinonez is not a minor detail for the Supreme Council of Goldenberg. This is specially true since they are to be hosts in 2020 to The World Conference of Supreme Councils and under these conditions that designation could be changed. Its clear that these powers need each other very much indeed. In this way The Supreme Council continues to maintain its influence on Symbolism and secures the seat for the 2020 World Conference of Supreme Councils, and the “Centennial” Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay takes advantage of the regularity of the Supreme. Without the figure of the Grand Orient, the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Quiñonez is naked. The unification, a continuing soap opera Nemesio Lichi used a language in 2006 in which he classified many brothers as “insurgents” and “irregular”, and then, after the resolution of the CMI, moved on to softer terms. International pressure was crucial to this, the Masonic world called for a solution to the problem, and that solution has always been the unification of Paraguayan Masonry. At the meeting of the CMI in 2006 in Guatemala, it was the first time that the problem of Paraguay was spoken of. Both Bros. Nemesio Lichi and Ignacio Mendoza attended. Bro. Mendoza asked for the mediation of the Inter American Masonic Conference and Bro. Lichi expressed his best wishes in solving the problem and promised that in ten days he would give his answer as to whether he accepted this mediation or not. The deadline was met and the answer was never uttered. Later in the same year in the meeting of the Inter American Masonic conference - CMI Area VI held in Chile, he sent an emissary who carried his answer of a refusal to the mediation. After the said event in Santiago, Bro. Lichi accused the Executive Secretary of the CMI Bro. Jorge Vallejos of causing “undue interference in the internal affairs of the Grand Lodge and of promoting, intentionally or not, the Insurgents Bros. to seek the support of the CMI to remedy their violations and abuses..” In Lima the famous “embrace of Lima” took place between Bro. Mendoza and Bro. Lichi. This gesture was seen as positive by the American Masonic community, but in reality Bro. Lichi was closed to the idea of a mediation by the CMI and his position remained unchanged. It was not until Rio de Janeiro that he changed his mind about the mediation. On the occasion of the arrival in Paraguay of the Triangle sent by the CMI, the then Grand Master Mendoza Unzain gave a series of possible solutions to the conflict. That ranged between, the alternation of the post of Grand Master to his resignation to the post. The response was so negative as the non-payment of the costs incurred by the Triangle in its visit to Paraguay, it had been agreed in Rio de Janeiro that these costs were to be covered in equal parts by both parties . And so agreements were signed in California and Arlington, and they complied with neither one even though all the points had been agreed upon and signed. Just to pick one, the 20th point of agreement signed at Arlignton read “From now on, the assets of Symbolic Masonry will be absolutely disconnected from any other Masonic body..” 51 52 DOSSIER GLSP In the Newsletter No. 1068 of the Journal of ”La Libertad”, newsletter of the Grand Lodge of Quiñones, in its issue dated January 10, 2011, it reported: “The ‘ASSOCIATION Grand orient of PARAGUAY, Civil Entity formed by Symbolic Grand Lodge OF PARAGUAY, chaired by Bro. CARLOS ALBERTO QUIÑONEZ and the Supreme Council, 33 º Scottish Rite Ancient and Accepted TO THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY, chaired by Bro. JORGE ANIBAL GONDEMBERG, in a unprecedented and historic event, on Friday January 7th proceeded to the signing of the property Deed by which they acquired a premise where the Grand Masonic Complex will be built to the pride of Universal Freemasonry, and specially of all Paraguayan Masons. “. The event was covered by a national newspaper “La Nacion” and printed in its edition of August 1st 2011. Publish this newsletter, “The highest authorities of Paraguayan Freemasonry (Goldenberg and Quinonez) around Bro. GARCIA VAZQUEZ AQUILINO of the Grand Orient of Mexico, who also signed at the historic act .“(Sic) A month after acquiring the property in question, in Denver USA, the highest authorities of Universal Freemasonry would be reviewing the compliance of the agreements signed. It’s clear as water, there was never a political will of the authorities of “Centennial” Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay to comply with the agreements and therefore reunite Paraguayan Masonry. It is for this same reason that when the CMI met in Guayaquil on April 15th they decided to ratify the recognition of the succession line of Vice Grand Master Bro. Reinaldo Dominguez Dibb in the Grand Masters Bros. Ignacio Mendoza Unzain and Euclides Acevedo . The World Conference of Grand Lodges reached the same conclusion and therefore acted according, admitting the participation in the meeting held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, only to the committee chaired by the Grand Master Acevedo. Finally... To remain quiet and indifferent to such atrocities would be to consent them. This is the reason of this dossier, it offers first hand documents that reveal the truth. Masonry cannot be used by outside powers to interfere in her affairs and vice versa. The inexistent “Centennial” Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay and the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree purchase a property under the figure of the Grand Orient of Paraguay. Their authorities exhibit the documents related to the purchase. The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay appreciates your attention, because the truth must be revealed, this is why it places itself with this dossier between columns… 53