
                 A NEW MASONIC ERA IN GERMANY

                     MICHAEL SKIBBE, 32   
                      Eyrlgasse 2, 8103 
                    Oberammergau, Germany


   GENERALLY, when Americans think of Germany, what first 
comes to mind are Bavarians in leather shorts, castles on the 
Rhine, and the wondrous political developments related to the 
reunification of East and West Germany. 

   All of these things have a specific relevance to 
Freemasonry also, though instead of leather shorts, we have 
lambskin Masonic aprons, and instead of castles there are 
historic buildings where modern German Masons meet in 
traditional Lodge buildings left to us as a heritage from 
past generations of German Brothers. 

   Masonry, in fact, played an important role in the social 
and political development of 18th to 20th century Germany, a 
land much different from what we think of as Germany today. 
Germany then consisted of hundreds of small principalities 
exposed to countless variations of political and religious 
commitments and interrelations. 

   In the 18th century, within the safe community of Masons, 
intellectuals and socially progressive individuals were 
encouraged to import the ideas of individual freedom, such as 
freedom of thought and speech, represented by the American 
Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution. 

   Many counts, princes, and even kings, like Brother 
Frederick the Great, accepted the Masonic ideals of tolerance 
and brotherhood that decisively influenced social 
improvements in Germany at that time. The cultural 
masterpieces in music, literature, and politics of the 18th 
century also often contained the spirit of Enlightenment 
inspired through Masonic convictions. 

   The prosperity of this spiritual intercourse in and 
outside the German Lodges was significant until fascist 
dictatorship extinguished Masonic Light in the 1930s. In 
1933, for instance, Germany had 433 Lodges and independently 
existing Grand Lodges. By 1945, most of the Lodges had been 
closed for 10 years, and only a weak shadow of the old 
Fraternity was left. With the beginning of the Third Reich 
the Lodges either dissolved themselves or changed to other 
associations. 

   The changed conditions existing after World War II offered 
Freemasonry a second chance. The three existing Grand Lodges 
of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons of Germany (also 
comprising the former Royal York Lodges, the Grand Lodge of 
the Three Globes, and the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of 
Germany) united under the roof of the United Grand Lodges of 
Germany. Today, a total of 15,000 Brethren falls short of 
membership in the past. 

   In addition, Masonry could be rebuilt only in the free, 
western part of Germany. In eastern Germany, the free spirit 
of Masonic Fraternities has yet to rise from the ashes of 
communist-socialistic dictatorship. All possessions and real 
estate remains confiscated and, in many cases, serves 
governmental purposes. 

   In 1990, the year of German reunification, over 50 years 
of oppression left only a barely recognizable remainder of 
what was once a prestigious Masonic heritage in the eastern 
part of Germany. It is also important to understand that even 
the development of Freemasonry in former West Germany is not 
prosperous. 

   Only Masonic veterans could be attracted to Lodges at the 
very beginning, and those Brethren have, in most cases, only 
been able to lead other similarly elderly people into our 
Masonic communities. 

   German Freemasonry continues to suffer, despite some 
remarkable exceptions, from sufficient successors of younger 
ages. Nevertheless positive activities in many Lodges are 
gaining enough support to construct a new, solid Fraternity. 
In many cities in northern Germany, as well as places in 
Bavaria, Lodges are being established in their historical 
Lodge buildings where Brethren meet once a week and perform 
Ritual once a month. 

   Our work focuses mainly on philosophical, spiritual, and 
scholarly subjects, but also includes social interaction 
within the Fraternity. Research and intellectual discussions 
are shared, and very often our wives are encouraged to join 
us for social occasions. 

   One interesting example of the Masonic revival taking 
place in Germany now is my own small Lodge, Zum Tempel der 
Eintracht (Temple of Harmony), No. 172, consisting of about 
35 Brothers and chartered in 1792 by the Grand Lodge of Ger 
many. It is located near the border to former East Germany in 
Osterode in the Harz Mountains not far away from Hannover. In 
the last couple of years, my Lodge has become very active in 
organizing an international Masonic symposium within the very 
old walls of the medieval Walkenried Cloister constructed in 
800 by monks of the Order of Citeau, true masters of 
operative masonry.  

   The symbolic environment of the gothic structure with a 
richness of Craft significance gives the right framework for 
deeply impressive Ritual. We discuss and socialize, all 
tending to improve tolerance and understanding among the 
different observances (Bodies) of German Freemasonry. We took 
the original Latin epigram of the monks of this cloister as 
the motto for this Masonic symposium: Patent porta cor magis, 
that is "the portal is open, but the heart still more." 

   Against the background of the recent German reunification 
in 1990, this Masonic festival achieved a still broader 
significance being a work-place for building brotherly 
bridges over a gap of many lost relations. 

   For example, the initiation last year of the first 
neophyte from across the just-fallen border fence between 
East and West Germany was a deeply moving and historic 
occasion. 

   Like many other Lodges, our Lodge has begun to trace the 
roots of Freemasonry in the eastern part of my country. 
Several traditional Lodges have been reconstructed in Weimar, 
Leipzig, Dresden, and other places. More and more people are 
breathing the air of freedom and joining the newly reopened 
Lodges. 

   Coming back to the motto of the monks of Citeau, "the door 
is open, the heart still more," I'd rather say, let us tear 
down all walls that block tolerance and understanding between 
the peoples of the world. Let us create, through Freemasonry, 
a true worldwide chain of brotherhood and love among all 
humankind. 

----- 

Michael Skibbe came to Washington, D.C., to head the German 
Air Force Liaison Office. He's a member of Zum Tempel der 
Eintracht (Temple of Harmony), No. 172, affiliated with 
Sharon Lodge No. 327, McLean, VA, and the Washington, D.C., 
Scottish Rite Bodies. 


