HAVANA, May 8 (Eduardo G. Estrada, ANC) - Cuban Freemasonry has been weakened by the reduced social space it is allowed under the Castro regime and there are internal divisions in its Lodges due to political considerations.
At present, there are two tendencies among Cuban Freemasons. A conservative faction has opted not to show any dissent with the government in order to "keep the temples open," even if it means going against the principles of the organization. The other faction, concentrated mostly in
the local Lodges, advocates a more independent stance, and for closer adherence to the statutes of the order, whatever the consequences.
A recent survey by this agency found wide discrepancies between the Great Lodge of Cuba and local Lodges subordinate to it.
According to testimony of surveyed members, Cuban masons find themselves divided into "institutional brothers" and "Lodge brothers." The first group support the policy of the Great Lodge of compliance with government directives, and the second group adhere more closely to the
Masonic statutes and only maintain tenuous links with the Great Lodge.
The survey revealed the unhappiness of many Masons with the restrictions imposed by the government on matters of self-government as well as with the impossibility of using the mass media to spread the order's teachings.
"This government is anti-fraternal, inciting to hate among us. Cubans in the island and abroad have a common interest, and we cannot support the divisive policies of Fidel Castro," said one Master Mason who solicited anonymity.
At the same time, Freemasons in Havana province said the government keeps the Great Lodge of Cuba under strict control through the infiltration of intelligence agents. It seems that Lodges outside of Havana have been less permeated by political police operations and their members have
considerably more freedom of expression. This points to the reason why some Lodges keep a respectful distance from the Great Lodge. In private, a considerable number of Masons critizice the Great Lodge's pro-government tendency.
Versión original en español
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