SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER ASSEMBLY

Saturday 3^rd May 2008

Companions, firstly I would like to welcome you all to this Supreme Grand Chapter Assembly for 2008. As promised at last year’s Assembly we are meeting here today on the Island of Lanzarote, so a big Thank You to all of you who have travelled a great distance to support this event.

The Most Excellent First Grand Principal, José Carretero Doménech, has asked me to extend his sincere apologies as he is unfortunately unable to attend today due to unforeseen circumstance. He does however send his warmest regards to you all and hopes that the Assembly will be a success.

I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to those Companions whom I have had the pleasure of investing with Grand Chapter Rank to day and also to those who have remained in their Rank. The attainment of Grand Rank is not just a reward for past services to the Royal Arch but it is also recognition that you have the potential, the opportunity and the responsibility of putting even more of your time and energy into Royal Arch Masonry.

We have this year consecrated three new Chapters making a total of five in the last 18 months. Yesterday we consecrated the new Province of Islas Canarias and during the forthcoming year we will also create a further Province in Grand Chapter, this time for Valencia. This increased activity will hopefully give Royal Arch a higher profile amongst our Brother Masons and help to encourage an increase in membership which is essential if the Order is to continue to grow and prosper.

The creation of the new Provinces will greatly assist the Supreme Grand Chapter to operate more efficiently and help to streamline processes. Once a Province has been consecrated all work, documentation etc must be processed via the Provincial Scribe E, otherwise what is the point of a Province.

It is the intention to in future, seek nominations for Grand Chapter honours from Provinces, where they exist and individual Chapters where they do not. The criteria that will need to be met and the means by which it can be verified before a promotion may be offered by Supreme Grand Chapter will be issued later in the year.

There have been a number of enquiries, following the consecration of the new Chapters, concerning the costs involved in 2^nd Chapter affiliations. There will be NO cost from Grand Chapter, the same as with the Craft.

A great deal of progress has been made with regard to a Book of Ritual, particularly the version in English. The book has been typed up in a format suitable for printing and now a printer, whose costs are acceptable, is actively being sought.

Next year, I propose that this Supreme Grand Chapter Assembly be held in Barcelona and I very much hope to see you all there.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Grand Director of Ceremonies and his Deputies for the efficient manner in which they have conducted the ceremonial today; the Grand Scribe E. and the Province of Islas Canarias for their help in organising this important event and you all for attending today in such significant numbers and making this such a special event. My grateful thanks to you all and may the True and Living God Most High watch over you and give you a safe journey home.