Latest news with #Freemasons
Epoch Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
French Lawmakers Back Assisted Suicide Law
France's lower house of parliament approved a bill on Tuesday to legalize assisted suicide, paving the way for medical professionals to help adults with incurable illnesses end their lives by taking a lethal substance. The bill, passed on May 27 by a vote of 305–199, would grant the right to assisted suicide to any French citizen over 18 suffering from a serious or incurable condition that is life-threatening, advanced, or terminal. According to the legislation, a team of medical professionals must confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness 'at an advanced or terminal stage' and is suffering. Anyone found to have obstructed someone's right to assisted suicide could face a two-year prison sentence and a 30,000 euro ($32,500) fine. The final passage of the long-debated bill is now heading to the Senate. Socialist Party lawmaker Olivier Falorni The Association for the Right to Die With Dignity (ADMD) also celebrated the move. Related Stories 5/14/2025 5/16/2025 'This is a time of joy for those of us who see hope in a dignified end of life, spared from unbearable suffering and needless agony,' ADMD said in a The official French government website Vie-Publique said that under the After administering the lethal substance, the doctor or nurse does not need to remain at the bedside but must stay nearby and within sight to intervene if necessary, it states. The full cost of assisted dying will be covered by France's national health insurance. Health professionals can refuse to take part in assisted suicide under a 'conscientious objection clause' but must refer the patient to another practitioner, it says. Eddy Casterman, a lawmaker with the Identity-Liberties party, voted against the bill. He said it was 'a dangerous slope.' In a May 27 post on Speaking at the Grande Loge de France on May 5, a prominent French Freemasonry Masonic lodge founded in 1894, Macron referred to assisted suicide as a 'lesser evil.' He also thanked the Freemasons for working extensively on the 'end-of-life debate.' Catholic French bishops denounced his remarks. 'No, Mr. President, the choice to kill and to help kill is not the lesser evil,' Archbishop Moulins-Beaufort said in a statement posted to 'It is simply death. This must be said without lying and without hiding behind words. Killing cannot be the choice of brotherhood or dignity. It is the choice of abandonment and refusal to help until the end. This transgression will weigh heavily on the most vulnerable and lonely members of our society.' Other religious leaders have voiced opposition to the legislation. This month, the Conference of Religious Leaders in France, which represents the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist communities, said in a joint statement that the proposed French patients seeking to end their lives have often traveled abroad, particularly to Belgium and the Netherlands, where euthanasia has been legal since 2002. Spain authorized euthanasia in 2021, followed by Portugal in 2023. In the UK, lawmakers are Reuters contributed to this report.
Otago Daily Times
24-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Freemasons' Arrowtown story ends
Among the last members of Arrow Kilwinning Lodge are, from left, Edis Embil, Chris Buckley, Gary Lonsdale and Kent Dow. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The curtain has come down on nearly 150 years of Freemasonry in Arrowtown. About 50 Freemasons from throughout Otago and Southland went to the final meeting of the Arrow Kilwinning Lodge in its historic Wiltshire St building on Monday. Its last 10 members will now join their Queenstown counterparts at the Lake Lodge of Ophir, based in their equally historic building in Marine Parade. Member Kent Dow says the loss of Arrow Kilwinning Lodge's identity is sad, but its membership's dwindled to the point where it didn't make sense to continue. "We need to share the load." On the bright side, the move will boost the membership of Lake Lodge of Ophir to about 60. Its numbers are on the rise, sustained by the Whakatipu's growing, multicultural population, Dow says. The Heritage New Zealand-listed Arrowtown lodge building will remain in Freemason hands though, and they're on the hunt for a tenant for its front room to help pay for its ongoing maintenance. The inner room, with its rare, hand-painted friezes and emblems depicting Masonic symbolism, will remain a "sacred space", he says. Fellow member Edis Embil says Arrow Kilwinning Lodge was formed in 1878, with members travelling on horseback from as far away as Skippers, Macetown and Cardrona to attend the monthly meetings. They met at a hotel for a decade until the Wiltshire St building was completed in 1888. Lake Lodge of Ophir was established first, though, with the Marine Parade building completed in 1864, Embil says. The oldest stone building in the resort town, it's also the oldest building in the country still in use by Freemasons. Freemasonry has its origins in the medieval stonemason guilds of Europe, and is the oldest fraternity in the world, he says. "It used to be thought of as a secret society ... it's a little bit more visible and transparent now." Dow says the idea is to "make good men better". "We're taught to be charitable in our personal lives, but we're fortunate to also be charitable as a lodge." In the past two years alone, it's made grants of about $200,000 to local organisations.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jeff Monroe, who helped transform Portland's waterfront, dies at 71
May 20—Jeff Monroe knew how to get things done. He was fiercely ambitious and keenly observant, and his former colleges and friends say that when he was passionate about something he went all in, whether that meant collecting hundreds of model trains in his basement or being ordained as an Anglican priest later in life. Monroe died on May 13, according to his obituary. He was 71. As the director of transportation for the city of Portland — a role he held for about a decade in the late 1990s and early 2000s — Monroe was instrumental in modernizing the working waterfront and expanding the Portland International Jetport, according to former colleagues. He spearheaded the Ocean Gateway project, which was completed in 2008 and moved commercial waterfront operations to the West End and ferry ports and recreational docks to the eastern waterfront. As part of the project, he advocated for the opening of the city's cruise ship terminal, which first allowed ships to dock directly downtown. Friends said he had a deep love for the waterfront and consistently advocated for its expansion and modernization. Tom Meyers worked with Monroe on some of these projects as the transportation and waterfront coordinator for South Portland. Meyers said Monroe was skilled at coming up with an ambitious vision and executing it — sometimes strategically, sometimes with sheer willpower. "He was forceful in what he wanted to accomplish," said Meyers. "Jeff just really understood the system. He understood how to get things done and wasn't afraid to find out where the sticky parts were and get through them." Bill Needleman also worked for the city with Monroe and remembers him as a strong and effective leader who consistently brought projects over the finish line. "He was larger than life, always willing to be in front of the camera. Never shy. Well informed. And occasionally controversial; he was outspoken," said Needleman. Outside of his career with the city, Monroe had many interests, often tied to the maritime industry, which he remained involved with until his death. He taught students at the State University of New York Maritime College and at Massachusetts Maritime, and he led transportation management classes at the University of Southern Maine. He helped organize sailing events that drew thousands to the waterfront, joined the Portland Propeller Club, consulted with ports around New England on their growth and development, and worked as a commercial ship captain. And he joined religious groups like the Freemasons and served as an Anglican priest. "He had a long, salty career," said Nico Walsh, a friend and former colleague who now works as a lawyer. "He left the place a hell of a lot better for having passed through," said another friend, Phineas Sprague, owner of Portland Yacht Services. Monroe lived near Trundy Point in Cape Elizabeth for decades with his wife, Linda. He had two children, Michelle and Michael, according to the Rev. Gary Drinkwater, a longtime friend. In 2017, Monroe became involved with the Anglican Church. Drinkwater was a deacon when he met Monroe just as he was opening up the Anglican Church of Transfiguration in Mechanic Falls. "Jeff had so much spirit and he knew a lot of people, so he helped me find the best place for the church," said Drinkwater. The two became close friends, talking on the phone every couple of days, even when Monroe and his wife began spending chunks of the year in South Carolina. "There are some people that you connect with, you have a chemistry," said Drinkwater, who also had worked on ships. "We could talk the language and share sea stories. It was just a match made in heaven. We even liked a good shot of Irish whiskey occasionally." Drinkwater said Monroe's dogged determination and ability to throw his weight behind what he most believed in extended to his friends. Drinkwater said Monroe was the one who first suggested he become a pastor. "I didn't have near the accolades that man had, but he believed in me, and when he believed in something, it happened," said Drinkwater. "If he put his shoulder to the wheel it moved, and he did that for me." One of Monroe's biggest strengths as a pastor was his ability to translate his passion for his God into digestible sermons that people from all different backgrounds could understand, said Drinkwater. He described Monroe as an accessible preacher who would "champion the lord in language that was understandable by the layperson." Monroe served for years as a pastor at St. Margaret Anglican Church in Conway, New Hampshire. He started a parish at St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church in Old Orchard Beach. When he began spending time in South Carolina, he also served as a pastor at St. Timothy's Anglican Catholic Church in Charleston, according to Drinkwater. Last June, Drinkwater and Monroe went together to the Blessing of the Fleet, where religious leaders in Portland bless boats big and small to kick off the summer season. Drinkwater remembers it was an overcast, windy day in Portland, and as he lifted the reeds from the water, droplets were blowing back in his face, soaking his glasses and clothes by the end of the event. "Well there, you ought to be holy enough now," he remembers Monroe joking. After the event, Drinkwater said, Monroe bought him a pint. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jeff Monroe, who helped transform Portland's waterfront, dies at 71
May 20—Jeff Monroe knew how to get things done. He was fiercely ambitious and keenly observant, and his former colleges and friends say that when he was passionate about something he went all in, whether that meant collecting hundreds of model trains in his basement or being ordained as an Anglican priest later in life. Monroe died on May 13, according to his obituary. He was 71. As the director of transportation for the city of Portland — a role he held for about a decade in the late 1990s and early 2000s — Monroe was instrumental in modernizing the working waterfront and expanding the Portland International Jetport, according to former colleagues. He spearheaded the Ocean Gateway project, which was completed in 2008 and moved commercial waterfront operations to the West End and ferry ports and recreational docks to the eastern waterfront. As part of the project, he advocated for the opening of the city's cruise ship terminal, which first allowed ships to dock directly downtown. Friends said he had a deep love for the waterfront and consistently advocated for its expansion and modernization. Tom Meyers worked with Monroe on some of these projects as the transportation and waterfront coordinator for South Portland. Meyers said Monroe was skilled at coming up with an ambitious vision and executing it — sometimes strategically, sometimes with sheer willpower. "He was forceful in what he wanted to accomplish," said Meyers. "Jeff just really understood the system. He understood how to get things done and wasn't afraid to find out where the sticky parts were and get through them." Bill Needleman also worked for the city with Monroe and remembers him as a strong and effective leader who consistently brought projects over the finish line. "He was larger than life, always willing to be in front of the camera. Never shy. Well informed. And occasionally controversial; he was outspoken," said Needleman. Outside of his career with the city, Monroe had many interests, often tied to the maritime industry, which he remained involved with until his death. He taught students at the State University of New York Maritime College and at Massachusetts Maritime, and he led transportation management classes at the University of Southern Maine. He helped organize sailing events that drew thousands to the waterfront, joined the Portland Propeller Club, consulted with ports around New England on their growth and development, and worked as a commercial ship captain. And he joined religious groups like the Freemasons and served as an Anglican priest. "He had a long, salty career," said Nico Walsh, a friend and former colleague who now works as a lawyer. "He left the place a hell of a lot better for having passed through," said another friend, Phineas Sprague, owner of Portland Yacht Services. Monroe lived near Trundy Point in Cape Elizabeth for decades with his wife, Linda. He had two children, Michelle and Michael, according to the Rev. Gary Drinkwater, a longtime friend. In 2017, Monroe became involved with the Anglican Church. Drinkwater was a deacon when he met Monroe just as he was opening up the Anglican Church of Transfiguration in Mechanic Falls. "Jeff had so much spirit and he knew a lot of people, so he helped me find the best place for the church," said Drinkwater. The two became close friends, talking on the phone every couple of days, even when Monroe and his wife began spending chunks of the year in South Carolina. "There are some people that you connect with, you have a chemistry," said Drinkwater, who also had worked on ships. "We could talk the language and share sea stories. It was just a match made in heaven. We even liked a good shot of Irish whiskey occasionally." Drinkwater said Monroe's dogged determination and ability to throw his weight behind what he most believed in extended to his friends. Drinkwater said Monroe was the one who first suggested he become a pastor. "I didn't have near the accolades that man had, but he believed in me, and when he believed in something, it happened," said Drinkwater. "If he put his shoulder to the wheel it moved, and he did that for me." One of Monroe's biggest strengths as a pastor was his ability to translate his passion for his God into digestible sermons that people from all different backgrounds could understand, said Drinkwater. He described Monroe as an accessible preacher who would "champion the lord in language that was understandable by the layperson." Monroe served for years as a pastor at St. Margaret Anglican Church in Conway, New Hampshire. He started a parish at St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church in Old Orchard Beach. When he began spending time in South Carolina, he also served as a pastor at St. Timothy's Anglican Catholic Church in Charleston, according to Drinkwater. Last June, Drinkwater and Monroe went together to the Blessing of the Fleet, where religious leaders in Portland bless boats big and small to kick off the summer season. Drinkwater remembers it was an overcast, windy day in Portland, and as he lifted the reeds from the water, droplets were blowing back in his face, soaking his glasses and clothes by the end of the event. "Well there, you ought to be holy enough now," he remembers Monroe joking. After the event, Drinkwater said, Monroe bought him a pint. Copy the Story Link
South China Morning Post
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
In Mozart's The Magic Flute by Opera Hong Kong singers outstanding, staging disappointing
Opera Hong Kong's new production of The Magic Flute is a conundrum: the singing, acting and music are first rate, but they are let down by a misjudged concept and designs. Mozart's final opera, despite being written when he was suffering from illness and financial woes, is among his most joyous. The libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder, a popular entertainer, offers a combination of low comedy and lofty sentiments. He and Mozart were both Freemasons and the work has strong masonic elements, advocating universal brotherhood and calling for people to seek harmony and enlightenment. The fairy-tale plot is far removed from the more realistic drama of other Mozart operas like Don Giovanni or The Marriage of Figaro. The mysterious Queen of the Night promises the young hero, Tamino, the hand of her daughter Pamina if he rescues her from the mighty priest Sarastro, who has kidnapped her. Setting out on this quest, the high-minded Tamino is contrasted with his companion, the bird-catcher Papageno, whose only interests are food, drink and finding a girlfriend.
