EXCLUSIVE | Final interview before elections with Eduardo A. Rétiz Licona, running for Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation

In the last interview we saw and understand different issues of the government program of each candidate. Now we want to complete this interview with a few additional questions and more technical.

Is again a pleasure to have the opportunity to express my views through this so important and prestigious media of communication as the Masonic Press Agency; thank you.

The United Grand Lodge of England announced its decision to officially open to the profane world. UGLE has a program and a strategy to achieve over the next five years and to continue thereafter. What do you think about UGLE’s new strategy? What do you think about the necessity of transparency of Freemasonry?

This important initiative is a sign of new times, Freemasonry must become more universal and inclusive; The United Grand Lodge of England (Mother Grand Lodge) is the vanguard for our Order to interact ever more with the profane world, is as important as our beloved Institution to become transparent in delivering its postulates with society and having enough attention so that we preserve our rituals and ceremonies in secret.

We observed that the agreement with the OAS is an important point on your agenda. Do you think of the possibility of signing agreements with UNASUR (this European Union of South America)?

The global trend of geopolitics is an integrationist vision directed towards achieving common objectives for the benefit of blocks or regions grouping countries, being very important to seek and establish contacts and relations with all international organizations to share objectives and to enhance the influence of the IMC for the benefit all member Grand Lodges.

I must mention that the Inter-American Masonic Confederation is a pioneer (since 1947) of the concept of regional grouping to achieve common objectives.

Since the IMC has an Ibero-American character will the IMC Executive Secretary consider necessary an active relationship in the near future with the Organization of Ibero-American States regarding his projects?

I consider it of utmost importance to work closer together in the various lines of the Organization of Ibero-American States since is grouping almost all the countries composing the IMC, except France and Haiti (which use French as official language), seeking to extend full benefits to all the Grand Orients in one place (IMC).

Another important issue is the drug trafficking and drug abuse especially among young people. The OAS issued its latest Report on drug use in the Americas. As you can see, the report shows that the "information must be a central element in deciding policies on drugs." APMR know that Freemasonry in Brazil (CMSB and GOB - Maçonaria Contra as Drogas) has a program to combat and prevent drug use. But what happens in Colombia and Mexico regarding this? We know that there are countries where young people are exposed to this danger. Could the next IMC Executive Secretary transform the Brazilian program into a Latin American one?

It is very important to work in a precautionary manner with everything to do with addictions, Mexico has a Paramasonic organization called AJEF (Association of Youth Fraternity’s Hope), where young people of both sexes are advised by Instructors (Master Masons) on topics designed to elevate liberal concepts and values against addictions.

This association originates in Cuba, Grand Orient which I visited recently where I had the honour of being present at the initiation ceremony (March 17, 2012), chaired by Grand Master José Ramón González Díaz, of 28 young Cubans between 14 and 18 years, and it was reactivated after a break of nearly 50 years. The idea is to continue to support these associations in all Grand Lodges.

Also we want to support and to repeat the Brazilian program "Freemasonry against drugs" since our Brazilian Brothers have become the vanguard of the Order in Latin America, seeking to “form and inform” all young people to avoid entering the path of "self-destruction."

Young people are the future of humanity and... of Freemasonry. In Latin America there are two organizations, among others, which dedicate their activities to youth and education: the Ibero-American Youth Organization and the Organization of Ibero-American States. Regarding youth, do you think that "Metas Educativas 2021" may be a viable program for the IMC? What is the role of youth in today’s and tomorrow’s Freemasonry in your view as possible IMC Executive Secretary?

I always believed and sustained that educating young people we build a better society (I have two girls of 19 and 22 years, one of which is an AJEF member), in fact the Association of Youth Fraternity’s Hope is a vital breeding ground for Mexican Freemasonry, many of its members reaching the gavel of Grand Master and one even being elected as President of the Mexican Republic.

Of course that the Ibero-American Youth Organization and the Organization of Ibero-American States is a good option for young Latin Americans since the goals for 2021 incorporate the mandates that, if my Brethren will allow me I will be leading the IMC.

I should mention that I had the opportunity to attend the signing ceremony of the agreement between IMC and the OAS conducted in 2008 but, however, very little could be embodied with this agreement, but if there is always a good cause, especially for youth, Universal Freemasonry and that of the IMC should be the first to take the initiative to complete it.

Gentlemen, Brethren, thank you for your kindness to grant us this second interview and we wish to express our desire that no matter whoever is elected, the chosen one should think that through culture, education and youth we can build the future and identity of an organization, of a society, of a nation and of Humanity.

Finally I want to thank you for that your attention given to me through this new interview which gave me the chance to highlight the great importance of culture and education in creating a better society; and that by working with young people and inducing them the ideals of Benito Juarez, José Martí, Miranda, Sucre, O'Higgins and Simon Bolivar we can build a more humane, fair and integrated Latin America extending it also to the world.

I would like to ask all Grand Masters that this new leadership renewal in the Inter-American Masonic Confederation to be a moment of meditation and one of making the best decision regarding the path to be taken by our Confederation, wishing success to all candidates and ensuring that in personal terms I will support always the best causes of the great universal Masonic family.

EXCLUSIVE | Interview with Past Grand Master Eduardo Rétiz Licona (running for Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation)

APMR | MWPGM, first of all who is Eduardo Rétiz Licona, the man? What made him adhere to Freemasonry?

Eduardo Rétiz | I am your friend and Brother, a person that before entering the Order was very restless, very rebellious, very idealistic, a very intense human being who dedicated himself body and soul to all companies where he worked. At the invitation of a Brother Mason (with whom I still maintain good relations), who attended the Leadership Club whose president I was in 1987, I was allowed to enter the Order.

APMR | Now that we know the man can you tell us who is Eduardo, the Brother?

Eduardo Rétiz | A Freemason convinced that our Grand Institution is the place where you can know yourself better, where you can develop intellect, culture and nature/character in a fraternal space where you can be Brother with other people not for their titles nor their economic position, but for their work, for their constancy to their discipline; the place where I come to know the values of Loyalty and Respect for Hierarchy.

APMR | You have everything, a wonderful family, a successful professional life and then comes the question, why to waste your time in Freemasonry?

Eduardo Rétiz | I entered in Freemasonry shortly after I married and thanks to that, with what I learned in the Order I could maintain a great relationship with my wife and two daughters, those who accompanied me and supported me with determination in all my wife and two daughters, those who accompanied me and supported me with determination in all my activities.

MWPGM Eduardo Rétiz Licona with his family

In the professional field, even though I was very successful, from the moment I entered in our grand institution, I felt even better in all my activities given that I always put into practice in everyday life what I learn during the Masonic reunions; including the simple fact that by working and attending ceremonies fills me with a special energy and joy, which always makes me feel satisfied with our meetings.

APMR | The mandate that you had as Grand Master was highlighted by many public initiatives. You attended the first World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. You attended numerous formal and informal meeting of IMC and COMACA. What’s your view on the evolution of the Order from an administrative point of view? We're talking about organizational policies.

Eduardo Rétiz | I think that a Freemason should be a man of his time, to join always the best cause and to be an actor of change and evolution both in society and in Freemasonry. You stressed that at the initiative of the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico, precisely during its anniversary in 1995, began what is now the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges, which is a forum where we live and feel Universal Freemasonry, this and that I worked on organizing of the XV Assembly of the IMC in 1991, have reinforced my view that our Order and our fraternity has no borders and that the only thing we need to do is to preserve the Masonic orthodoxy, to respect the concepts of regularity and recognition and to build bridges for a healthy coexistence between all Masonic Obediences in the world, taking into account that we do not know each other but still share the same work and information, thing that will strengthen even more our links. Regarding the organizational policies, I think there is a need for strategic alliances between the major blocs in Latin America (IMC) and North America, particularly the United States (U.S.) and Canada, continental Europe and England, where are the most great powers to recognize us and to strengthen our activities.

APMR | The previous question regarded the fact that you are running for Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation, the largest regional Masonic bloc in the world and the most active. Therefore we ask you: What vision do you have in terms of management regarding the inter-institutional and institutional affairs of the IMC with secular institutions of the Western Hemisphere?

Eduardo Rétiz | With the institutions and secular authorities is important to establish cordial, respectful and clear relations in which we support the western Masonic Powers; I think we should know and recognize each other, this being the fundamental joint work and exchange of successful experiences. Europe can teach us more about organization and Masonic rituals (several times I attended the anniversaries of the Grand Orient of Italy and I have always been surprised by their great capacity of organization and their relations with the Grand Lodges of Asia, Africa and Oriental Europe) and Latin America (IMC) can bring a contribution of solidarity and support that we have between our Grand Lodges and our countries that share the same problems; thus agreeing with each other, not only the countries and the continents would be better, but the whole world could enjoy the benefits of Freemasonry, the world must "have the same fears and same affinities".

APMR | Based on the previous question, can you tell us your view regarding Masonic affairs? What needs the IMC for the following years to keep up with the changes within the Masonic world?

Eduardo Rétiz | To continue to strengthen the bonds. Europe needs to look back to Latin America, we have already increased in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, etc., we are great powers and we have a lot to share, we must maintain all relationships to remain in the dynamic of "win-win", especially because our principles are universal and applied everywhere we must apply the famous phrase "What is above is below", in fact, Brazilian Freemasonry grew even more than the economics of its own country, this must be replicated worldwide.

APMR | You are talking about strengthening relations with the Grand Orient of Italy, UGLE etc. What makes you think of this need?

Eduardo Rétiz | They are Masonic Powers that have offered a lot to the world, we must honour those who have sown the seed of brotherhood without any petty interest and we should be proud and we should honour our ancestors, those older Brothers already in the Eternal Lodge and yet those who still give light to mankind (Adam Smith, W. Churchill, G. Garibaldi, Victor Hugo, I. Newton, R. Kipling etc.), most of them belonging to those Great Powers.

APMR | The fact that we are conservatives or liberals today do not matter when it comes to the social dimension of things. What would be the role of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation in the development of Latin American society?

Eduardo Retiz | In terms of social, political and cultural freedoms Latin America still has deficit, therefore IMC has implemented and funded the Latin American Seminars on Secularism and the Grand Lodges have implemented the ILEC's (Secular Institutes of Contemporary Studies) and the Secular Action Centres in almost all countries in the area because we have to work harder on these issues and we do it with a great impact in countries where they exist and function for the welfare of Latin American society.

APMR | What would be the role of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation regarding the climate change issues and sustainable development?

Eduardo Rétiz | To continue to realize that the world in which we live we have borrowed from the new generation and that we must preserve our natural resources, using better our resources for the benefit of humanity and with a by having a world benefiting from our work.

APMR | As a possible future IMC Executive Secretary, what you think about the need of communication?

Eduardo Rétiz | Communication, currently, is like sap for trees, like blood for body, since through it is created the conductor wire for transmitting knowledge, ideas and information. I want to stress that it is as important as the work done by you in this area, making millions of Brothers to have the opportunity to strengthen their links via your Masonic Press Agency of Romania (taking this advantage to recognize your work worthy of praise), a tool that I shall use if I will hold the position of Executive Secretary of the IMC.

APMR | Eduardo Rétiz Licona if you currently be the Executive Secretary of the IMC, what public stand would you take on ACTA y SOPA?

Eduardo Rétiz | Those are quite complex issues that involve a greater control over the electronic communication channels, over Intellectual Property rights, but however, I believe that it should not thrive, at least not in our Latin American region which in particular still has a too large information gap, very few are those who have Internet access and who can afford to purchase documents, books, movies, original CDs because there is still a low income (the average cost is that of 3 euros for a 8 hours session); only by having access to these materials in an informal (pirated) way and even though we are facing an ethical dilemma, not having access to such goods is to increase this gap; large additional revenue goes to the Corporate official market, while in the case of the informal market the revenues goes to families in charge of marketing the products, is a subject that should be reviewed continuously.

APMR | Since the IMC signed with toe OAS the agreement of 2008 there were no public debates about education initiatives across the continent. The project of the Masonic Academy proposed by the IMC means the implementation of that agreement?

Eduardo Rétiz | We are talking about different topics, because the agreement with OSA was directed towards education in terms of having a secular education (by stimulating free and public schools in all countries on the continent) but without the economic support from the OAS is hard work; regarding the Masonic Academy, it is directed to a homogenization of the Masonic Instruction to be disseminated via all IMC’s affiliated Grand Lodges but even though is a good proposal is a very limited one and must be enriched.

APMR | If you are elected Executive Secretary of the IMC, which will be the first decision to be taken by you?

Eduardo Rétiz | My first big task would be to start working at a Grand Commission for Regularity, to establish alliances with major Powers of World Freemasonry, to have international mechanisms of recognition and coexistence, which could come together to create an "Annual IMC Bulletin," which could record the relationships between all the Grand Lodges that are part of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation and fees up to date with their main features, linking all Symbolic Lodges, composing it to be a navigation and certainty guide for all Brethren travelling, visiting Lodges, where there will be no slightest doubt about the regularity of the Grand Lodges within the Confederation.

APMR | MWPGM and beloved Brother thank you for granting us this interview.

Eduardo Rétiz | It is my personal pleasure and proud to be considered for this interview by an agency so serious and important as that which you represent, one that has a high reputation internationally speaking and is a pioneer of the worldwide Masonic communication and which allowed me to express my views on topics of interest for all members of our beloved Fraternity.