History

From the autumn of 1953 onward, they worked ‘under the open sky’ and began to develop a contemporary form of Masonic work. In an intensive discussion of ritual, they questioned all rites and symbols with the aim of removing the dust from them. The temple was to become a workshop once again.

On 24 September 1955, the Independent Masonic Lodge of Vienna (UFML) was founded.

In February 1961, through the division of the UFML into three lodges — Van Swieten, Sonnenfels, and the traditional lodge UFML — the Grand Orient of Austria was founded, although it was soon thereafter ‘put to sleep’.

“In 1961, the Grand Orient of Austria was one of the eleven obediences that signed the Strasbourg Appeal and thus founded the umbrella organisation CLIPSAS, which brought together those obediences that had been excluded by the recognition policies of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). From the very beginning, one of the principles of the UFML was an understanding of Freemasonry that sought to draw once more on its earlier possibilities for social and political engagement. To the Old Charges, New Charges were to be added as a complement. Such a document was drafted in 1974 and remains valid to this day.

At its core, this text is an attempt to rekindle the old flame of the Enlightenment — the light of reason — in a world marked by contradictions, inhumanity, and indifference.”

From the very beginning, so‑called conference meetings were held alternately with the fortnightly lodge gatherings, to which non‑members were also invited. These conferences were intended to prevent Freemasonry from retreating into an ivory tower. In 1973, they were formalised into an association. It serves as a platform in several respects: as a preparatory organisation of the Grand Orient, it enables stimulating lectures, fosters the exchange of ideas between Freemasons and non‑Masons, and thus promotes closer mutual understanding.

Since 1978, women have also been invited to the discussion evenings.

Within the men’s lodge UFML, there was years‑long debate about whether the liberal principles — including the admission of women — should not also be put into practice, so that the brotherhood might become a fellowship of human beings.

In 1985, the group felt strong enough to once again attempt the formation of a Grand Orient. On 8 May 1985, the light was kindled in the lodge Zu den Neuen Pflichten, followed on 26 June by the lodge Gotthold Ephraim. On the same day, the three lodges rekindled the light in the Grand Orient of Austria. On 27 November 1985, six women were finally admitted to the two new lodges. The traditional lodge UFML remained a men’s lodge, but with visitation rights for sisters

In 1990, under the aegis of the Grand Orient of Austria, an inter‑obediential lodge for education and research named Perpetuum Mobile was founded. However, it remains independent of the Grand Orient of Austria.

**“In the summer of 2003, turmoil arose, and the three founding lodges — UFML, Zu den Neuen Pflichten, and Gotthold Ephraim — left the Grand Orient of Austria. Until their union to form the Liberal Grand Lodge of Austria on 24 June 2007, they worked without belonging to any obedience.

The now nine lodges of the Grand Orient of Austria uphold the fundamental idea that Freemasonry must once again attain social and political relevance — a mode of thinking in ethical and moral categories, free from dogmatism yet guided by long‑term perspectives, which characterises the Freemason. They seek to engage more openly with the public and to serve as examples within society.