“Freemasonry will be more open and more should know what we do”-District Grand Master Roysdale Forde

DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, March 28, 2018

“I will make Freemasonry more relevant to our times and transparent”, so said new District Grand Master and most excellent Grand Superintendent of Guyana, Attorney-at-law, Roysdale Forde.

Following his installation ceremony last evening, the Freemason Head described his acceding to the high office as a transition “from one generation who would have served faithfully in the discharge of Masonic obligations in the jurisdiction and personally it is quite significant for me, as it is an important opportunity to implement plans and changes in the district”.

Forde explained that the new direction will incorporate the true mission of Freemasonry and more promotion of the charitable work undertaken by the centuries-old organisation. He alluded to the fact that the brotherhood “spends millions annually in support of charitable causes and mentorship programmes” and cited a need for communities to “become aware and more involved” in what is being done to improve the lives of those in need.

Attending the ceremony at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, was Pro Grand Chancellor of the United Grand Lodge of England, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes. Sharing his views with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Lowndes noted the significance of the installation of Guyana’s youngest ever District Grand Master. He reminded that whilst many viewed Freemasonry as being mostly the purview of older gentlemen, the average age of many in the brotherhood “was going down”.

Lowndes added, to have someone of Forde’s age installed to lead the movement, for at least the next ten years, was noteworthy since “what he will bring to it is young enthusiasm, energy, and dynamism”.

The Pro Grand Chancellor of the United Grand Lodge of England Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, also paid a courtesy call on President David Granger, on March 25.

During the State House meeting, President Granger expressed the government’s appreciation for the humanitarian work that the Lodge has been involved in over the years and extended an invitation for closer collaboration in the future, particularly in the area of ‘green’ development and issues relating to the environment.

The District Grand Lodge of Guyana, a District of 15 Lodges of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is registered with the United Grand Lodge of England. Today, Lodges under the District of Guyana meet at three regular locations in Georgetown, and in the towns of New Amsterdam and Linden. They have a total membership of approximately 500.

 

By: Paul Mc Adam