Masonic recognition and regularity are concepts that define relations between the various Masonic bodies that exist around the world, and which groups of Masons are considered "legitimate" by other groups of Masons. Recognition and regularity are closely related, but distinct concepts.
Recognition edit
Masonic recognition is similar in concept to diplomatic relations between nations. Each Grand Lodge (sometimes called a Grand Orient) maintains a list of other Grand Lodges that it officially recognizes. When such recognition is mutual, the two bodies are said to be "in amity" with each other. Mutual recognition (amity) allows for intervisitation between the brethren (the brethren of Grand Lodge A may attend the meetings of lodges under the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge B, and vise versa). It also allows for official communication and cooperation between Grand Lodge officials. While mutual recognition is the norm, it is not guaranteed. Since every Grand Lodge is an independent entity, each is free to determine which other Grand Lodges it recognizes and which it does not. Grand Lodge A might recognize Grand Lodge B, but that recognition might not be returned.
Lack of recognition can cause problems when multiple Grand Lodges are involved. Grand Lodge A may recognize both Grand Lodge B and Grand Lodge C, but B and C may not be in amity with each other. Thus, a brother of Grand Lodge B (Brother B) may wish to attend a meeting of a lodge under Grand Lodge A, and find that a brother of Grand Lodge C is also in attendance. This places Brother B in a difficult situation. While normally there would be no problem with his attending meetings of lodges under Grand Lodge A, holding "masonic intercourse" (attending meetings or exchanging official communications) with a brother of an unrecognized Grand Lodge can result in Masonic Charges being filed against him by his Grand Lodge (penalties can range from a mild reprimand to expulsion from Freemasonry, depending on the how serious the rift between B and C is).
Recognition blocs edit
When multiple Grand Lodges are all in amity with each other they can be said to form a recognition bloc. Occasionally, these blocs form an umbrella organization to coordinate matters of mutual concern. These may be relatively informal and non-binding (such as the Conference of Grand Masters of North America) or more formal and authoritative (such as the "Secrétariat international Maçonnique des Puissances Adogmatiques"). When two members of the bloc fall out of amity (ie one Grand Lodge in the bloc withdraws recognition of another in the bloc), the others will work to resolve the situation and bring the two back into amity. They may also put pressure on a member of the bloc that is not in sync with the majority... for example if Grand Lodge X recognizes a Grand Lodge that all of the others do not recognize, the majority may threaten a mass withdrawal of recognition from Grand Lodge A, isolating X from the bloc.
A slightly different form of recognition can be granted to (or withheld from) organizations that require membership in a Masonic lodge as a prerequisite for joining (such as the Scottish and York Rites in the United States, or the Shriners). Organizations that are officially approved of by the Grand Lodge are deemed "in concordance" with the principles of Freemasonry, and brothers under that Grand Lodge's jurisdiction may feel free to join the "concordant body". If, however, recognition of the organization is withheld or withdrawn by the Grand Lodge, a brother joining the non-concordant body can face reprimand, suspension or even expulsion.
Common reasons for withholding (or withdrawing) recognition edit
There are many reasons why one Grand Lodge might withhold (or withdraw) recognition of another. Some involve fundamental disagreements over the tenets of the fraternity, others involve relatively petty disagreements over who which Grand Lodge has the right to charter new lodges in a given geographical area. In recent years, recognition has been withdrawn due to disagreements over who has jurisdiction over an individual Mason (where the Mason in question was expelled from the fraternity by one Grand Lodge, but retained his membership in another) or because one Grand Lodge determined that the leadership of another acted in a way that brought the fraternity into disrepute. The most common reason for withholding recognition, however, is concern over "Regularity".
Regularity edit
Masonic regularity is determined by a Grand Lodge's adherence to certain core principles and practices (known as Masonic Landmarks). A Grand Lodge that does not adhere to these Landmarks will be deemed "irregular" by those that do adhere to them. Of course, every Grand Lodge will deem itself to be "regular", and will judge the regularity of other Grand Lodges by its definition of the Landmarks.
Disagreement over one Landmark in particular divides Freemasonry into its two major branches - the requirement for members to have some form of belief in Deity as a prerequisite for initiation (the exact form that a member's belief takes, however, is left up to the individual). The majority of Masonic Grand Lodges feel that this requirement is fundamental to Freemasonry, and the majority explicitly bar atheists from joining. A sizable minority however disagree, and believe in complete freedom of conscience... including atheism. The majority is united in deeming the minority "Irregular", however the minority does not necessarily respond in kind... for example, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) deems the Grand Orient of France (GOdF) to be "Irregular" because GOdF admits atheists. GOdF disagrees and considers itself regular. However, GOdF does not deem UGLE to be irregular because UGLE bars atheists. The schism between the two branches is thus defined by the majority and applied to the minority.
Clandestine Lodges edit
Similar to regularity and recognition is the term "Clandestine". Holding "Masonic intercourse" (attending meetings and engaging in official communication) with a "Clandestine Lodge" or a "Clandestine Mason", is considered a Masonic offense that can result in suspension or expulsion. The precise definition of "Clandestine" however, is not well defined. Some Masonic scholars define a "Clandestine Lodge" as a Lodge that operates without a warrant, charter or dispensation from a Grand Lodge (and a "Clandestine Mason" as any man initiated in such a lodge). Other scholars extend the definition to a lodge that operates without a warrant, charter or dispensation from a regular Grand Lodge (and a few extend the definition further - to recognized). Thus, there is some confusion as to when to apply the term and when not to.
Conclusions edit
It is not uncommon for Masons to confuse "recognition" with "regularity" (mistakenly calling all unrecognized Grand Lodges "irregular"). The concepts are similar and often overlap, but they are not identical. While concern over regularity is one reason for withholding recognition, it is not the only reason. Thus, from the point of view of any individual Grand Lodge, all organizations it deems "irregular" will also be unrecognized, not all unrecognized organizations will be deemed irregular.