South American Masons Gather in Paraguay for Assembly and Centenary Celebration

Encarnación, Paraguay, became the hub for a significant South American Masonic gathering this past weekend. The city hosted the III Assembly of the South American Masonic Confederation (COMASUD) alongside the centenary celebration of the Union and Progress Lodge No. 9. The events were overseen by the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Paraguay (GLSP), the nation's sole regular Grand Lodge, led by Grand Master José Miguel Fernández Zacur.

The assembly commenced on Friday with leaders from South American Grand Lodges and delegations from the United States in attendance. A special tribute was paid to Grand Master José Miguel Fernández Zacur for his foundational role as the first president of COMASUD. His leadership was instrumental in establishing and solidifying this regional integration platform, bringing considerable pride to Paraguayan Freemasonry.

During the assembly, Jorge Badani, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Bolivia, was elected as the new COMASUD president for the upcoming term. The delegates also addressed institutional matters aimed at enhancing regional integration, fostering collaboration among Grand Lodges, and initiating joint projects that uphold the fraternal values of regular South American Freemasonry.

The gathering saw participation from Grand Masters and representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. High-ranking officials and delegates from the United States, including the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, actively engaged in the discussions and planned activities. Additionally, a Grand Lodge meeting on Friday evening brought together nearly a thousand regular Masons from across Paraguay, along with the international Masonic authorities present for the COMASUD assembly. This session emphasized the exchange of experiences, institutional strengthening, and a reaffirmation of the core Masonic values of liberty, equality, fraternity, tolerance, and moral improvement.