Le Centre de Liaison et d’Information des Puissances maçonniques Signataires de l’Appel de Strasbourg

CLIPSAS was founded on January 22, 1961, by sovereign Masonic powers that—faced with the growing intransigence of certain obediences—resolved to call upon all Freemasons to unite, while respecting their respective sovereignty, beliefs, rites, and symbols, to form a true and indissoluble Universal Chain of Union.
 
CLIPSAS is an association registered with the Paris Prefecture under the French law on recognized associations promulgated on July 1, 1901.
 
CLIPSAS is an international association of liberal Freemasonry. By upholding the ethics proposed by the founding members, we are proud to pledge our loyalty solely to the message of tolerance, fraternity, and unity.
 
The goal of CLIPSAS is to bring together Freemasons who believe that humanity’s greatest victory over itself lies in ABSOLUTE FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE.
 
In the interest of advancing the recognition of Absolute Freedom of Conscience (which, by definition, includes freedom of association) and reconciling the various metaphysical conceptions within Freemasonry, Lodges belonging to CLIPSAS obediences are free to open their proceedings either with or without the use of the Bible, and to place them—or not—under the aegis of the Great Architect of the Universe. CLIPSAS is the center for a fraternal union of Freemasons who believe that freedom of conscience represents humanity’s greatest victory over itself and that, far from being a cause of division, this freedom leads to the dismantling of all barriers through the free exchange of ideas.
 
Its fundamental principles recognize the diversity of traditions, rites, symbols, beliefs, and philosophical convictions within Freemasonry, rejecting exclusions based on religion, race, gender, social background, or worldview. CLIPSAS considers that Masonic unity does not require uniformity: rather, diversity and mutual respect are essential conditions for genuine fraternity.
 
 

Timeline of historical events

  • CLIPSAS_logo_1100_b_w_new
    1961 CLIPSAS established

    CLIPSAS established as an international association of liberal Freemasonry

  • CLIPSAS_ABSOLUTE_FREEDOM
    1961 Absolute Freedom of Conscience

    Founding principle emphasized: Absolute Freedom of Conscience.

  • 1990 Presidency Grand Orient of France

    Presidency passes from the Grand Orient of Belgium to the Grand Orient of France.

  • CLIPSAS_LIBERAL
    1996 CLIPSAS's inclusion of women's Freemasonry

    Grand Women's Lodge of France becomes the presiding obedience, reflecting CLIPSAS's inclusion of women's Freemasonry.

  • 2004 Presidency passes to a Central African Masonic organization

    Presidency passes to a Central African Masonic organization—the Grands Orient and Associated Lodge of Congo.

  • 2007 Presidency Great Loja Unida do Paraná of Brazil

    Presidency passes to the Great Loja Unida do Paraná of Brazil.

  • 2011 Presidency Grande Oriente Lusitano of Portugal

    Presidency passes to Grande Oriente Lusitano of Portugal.

  • 2014 Presidency Omega Grand Lodge of New York.

    Presidency passes to Omega Grand Lodge of New York.

  • 2017 Presidency Grand Mixed Lodge of France

    Presidency passes to Grand Mixed Lodge of France.

  • 2021 Presidency Federación of Logias of Colombia

    Presidency passes to Federación of Logias of Colombia

Principles

Ffreedom of conscience

The right of every individual to form and express their own beliefs, religious or philosophical convictions, without coercion or discrimination. It encourages tolerance and respect for different ways of thinking.

Universal Masonic fraternity

The idea that Freemasons, regardless of nationality, culture, gender, or personal beliefs, can be united by shared values of fraternity, equality, mutual respect, and solidarity

Humanist engagement for the progress of humanity

The commitment to use Masonic principles to contribute positively to society, promote human dignity and peace, and support intellectual, ethical, social, and humanitarian progress.