A week ago, Agenparl published the letter sent by the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Italy, Stefano Bisi, to Dr. Glen A. Cook, PGM (Utah), Secretary of the Recognition Information Commission of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.

In the missive, Bisi wanted to make a clear statement regarding the Commission’s 2025 Report, in the section on the ‘Grand Lodge Regular of Italy and the Grand Orient of Italy’. In particular, he categorically denied that the Grand Orient of Italy (GOI) has ever given its consent to the simultaneous recognition by the North American Grand Lodges of both the GOI and the Grand Regular Lodge of Italy (GLRI).

The Grand Master reiterated that the GOI and the GLRI do not maintain friendly relations, and that there is therefore a clear separation between their respective Lodges: Brothers of the GOI cannot visit lodges of the GLRI and vice versa. Bisi asked the Commission for an official rectification should the report circulated be considered official.

This communication is part of an already complex picture for the Grand Orient of Italy. Recently, Agenparl dealt with the case of the suspension and subsequent removal of Stefano Bisi from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (RSAA). With Decree No. 66/GN of 17 December 2024, signed by Sovereign Grand Commander Giulio Nigro, Bisi was officially removed from the RSAA for the Italian Masonic Jurisdiction, after a previous Decree (No. 44/GN of 8 June 2024) had ordered his suspension pending clarification.

This affair is part of a context of tensions and debates within the Grand Orient of Italy, already marked by controversy and recent controversial episodes, including some arrests of affiliated members. The figure of Stefano Bisi had already been the subject of criticism and speculation, amplified by the press and strong media interest.

Added to this is the debate on the hypothesis of a new ‘spurious’ Italian Masonic Rite, which could emerge in response to the GOI’s break with the RSAA and the attempts to redefine the internal balance within Italian Freemasonry. In such a scenario, the possibility of new elections in the GOI is ventilated and ‘advocated’ by a small minority of internal voices, which are artfully circulating news about Leo Taroni’s not good relations with America and his position in this delicate international framework. Unsubstantiated news that is only being circulated with the aim of pushing the members of the Obedience of the GOI to go to new elections (which is unlikely as a judgement of the ordinary Court of Rome on the electoral certificates is still pending).

In the meantime, crucial issues remain open, such as the parliamentary hearing requested in April 2024, which could provide further clarification on the internal dynamics and their impact on the credibility of the Masonic institution.

Moreover, the affair of the Fondazione Grande Oriente d’Italia ONLUS, already covered in numerous articles by Agenparl, remains under the spotlight.

At the same time, new suspensions are still taking place among the adherents of the Grand Orient of Italy, which, according to some rumours, are intended to weaken internal ‘resilience’ but which, on the contrary, are strengthening the Taronians’ front.

Never before has Immanuel Kant’s famous phrase been so pertinent: ‘Patience for a little while: slanderers do not live long. Truth is the child of time: soon you will see it appear to avenge your wrongs’.

It now remains to be seen how the GOI will face the challenges ahead and what the fate of its leadership will be in the coming months.