It would seem so.
The article in El Confidencial was refuted in a posting by the Grand Master Ortega of the SL España who denies the story (Thanks to Chirs Hodapp for the comment and link to the blog Worshipful Lodge No. 33 Añaza published today).
In relation to information published in the secular press of Spanish, I say:
Completely untrue that 10,000 French Brothers want to join the Grand Lodge of Spain. As of today, January 31, 2011, the number of French brothers who have applied for membership of the Grand Lodge of Spain that I have the honor to lead is … zero. Again, zero. Indeed, there has been no request to that effect, contrary to what transpired in the secular press. The contents of the article in a digital media does not correspond to reality and can only be understood as a sort of trial balloon launched by someone, I fear that a Mason in lower case, which is still far from certain polish stone to heat up the atmosphere and create an environment conducive to that possibility. But the reality is stubborn and, as I said, there has been no movement of French Brothers to join the Grand Lodge of Spain. In this regard I must reiterate that, in my opinion, every Big East is sovereign and independent, so that should be resolved internally the events that occur within it, and no other Grand Lodge should interfere or meddle in matters that concern them.
The original story reported:
“Sources of the Grand Lodge of Spain consulted by El Confidencial suggest that “what has been, so far, are some contacts of the brothers of France to see if the GLE would open its doors, as the organization in that country has suffered hit hard by the actions of its Grand Master. ”
These sources emphasize that “the crisis in the GLNF is very strong and many members have sent us their intention not to be affiliated with the organization since they are very disappointed by the political manipulation that has been made of the institution. These sources Emphasize That “the crisis in the GLNF is very strong and Many members sat us Have Their intention Not to be Affiliated with the organization Since They Are very disappointed by the Political manipulation That has-been made of the institution. One thing is that you can Masons have in politics is quite another to such an institution serving some interests, which is prohibited. One thing Masons That May Have Another in policy and remove to put Such an institution serving Some Interests, Which is prohibited. Stifani Freemasonry has betrayed. “Stifani Freemasonry has betrayed.”
The betrayal was cited as a letter Stifani sent to French President Nicolas Sarkozy in January, 2009 wrote a letter in which he expressed his (Masonic) support to him and several cabinet members. The letter has since forced François Stifani’s resignation as the organizations President, but not its Grand Master, and the appointment of Monique Legrand, judicial administrator, as the ad hoc administrator of the French National Grand Lodge (GLNF).
Was it merely a testing of the waters? Seems not to be the case.
