Few months ago in Croatian newspapers appear some incomplete entries about restitution of 
masonic lodges in Slovenia and Croatia. More than fifty years after prohibition of masonic activities 
in Croatia this indications provoke understandable public curiosity as well as numerous speculations 
and guessing. Who are Croatian freemasons and what is Freemasonry in general – we talk about 
with one of leading Croatian freemasons, who on this occasion wanted to remain anonymous, with 
motives which reader will understand.

Well, after more than fifty years Croatian freemasons are on the scene again? Local
newspapers recently wrote, from Italian sources, that that Italian freemasons helped restitution
of masonic lodges in Zagreb and Ljubljana, as well as, in almost all countries of Middle and
East Europe where after World War II Freemasonry could not operate?

NN: Yes, it is true that masonic Lodge in Zagreb is being restored, as well as in other capitals of
Middle and East Europe. To be fair, there is no saying that “freemasons in Croatia are on the
scene again”. Nature of Freemasonry is that it does not act on the scene, in public. But, it acts
and has influence on all aspects of society all over the world, Also, there is no saying that
Italian, but Austrian freemasons influenced restitution of Freemasonry in Croatia.

For local public, with exception of those who read Muzic’s book about history of Freemasonry
in Croatia, Freemasonry is big unknown, even something that is talked of – and talks already
started – with aversion and prejudice. What is Freemasonry indeed or why freemasons today?

NN: Before all, Freemasonry is neither a political organization, religious sect, anti-religious
movement not business enterprise. Masonic Lodge is, we could say, school of respect and
tolerance, even more – school of parliamentarism and democracy. It seems to me that it would
be useful to remind everybody to the fact that every democratic country today has masonic
lodges, while in non-democratic and totalitarian regimes Freemasonry was forbidden and
persecuted. Even today situation is the same and in that sense restitution of Freemasonry in
Croatia is one of the marks of democracy and integration to the world.

By definition, only “honorable man with good reputation” can become freemason and
according to statute of masonic Lodge members are obliged not only to abide laws of their
country but also to work for its benefit. Why Freemasonry today and here? I think we already
answered that. Freemasonry is one of the characteristics of the modern, liberal and democratic
country. There is nearly six million freemasons in the world today and you would be surprised
to hear who, among famous persons in politics, culture and economy... are freemasons. Even,
we could say, without any exaggerating, that influence of Freemasonry is today’s world is
huge.

What is today’s relation between Catholic church and Freemasonry? Are misunderstandings
from the past adjusted?

NN: As it is well known, for full 245 years Vatican was ordering excommunication for
freemasons. But in the year 1982 pope John Paul II by new codex Juris Cannonici canceled
that excommunication. Since than it can be said that there are no problems and
misunderstandings between church and Freemasonry. In contrary, their relations today are
characterized with mutual respect and tolerance.

One of the widely spread ideas about Freemasonry describes it as a secret, mystic and cultic
society. How much of this is true and how to become a freemason?

NN:There is an American business proverb: “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. In a way, that can be
said for the receipt in masonic Lodge. Candidate, however, can express himself his wish to
become freemason, but it can not be done without recommendation of two members of the
Lodge who know him and guarantee for him. Candidates are discussed in the Lodge and
receipt is secretly voted by white and black ballots. One black ballot (i.e. negative opinion)
postpones candidature for one year. Candidate who gets two or more black ballots on secret
voting can never be accepted in the Lodge.

Well, terms are very strict. But it is only one of masonic rituals. What about others?

NN: Yes, Freemasonry has its symbols and rituals whole system of allegories. By one definition
Freemasonry is moral order of honorable men who built into it freedom, fraternity, equality,
tolerance and later on charity. Freemason, mainly, considers himself, he “works on himself”,
develops himself. By masonic terminology he is a raw stone which aims at perfection. Masonic
Lodge is a school of respect and tolerance while value of Freemasonry is in spreading such
highly civilized behavior outside the Lodge, among “profane” people. It needs to be specially
emphasized that no freemason should have any material benefit from his masonic activities.

Freemasonry has a long tradition among Croats?

NN:Yes. Till year 1940, when Freemasonry was forbidden in Croatia, there were ten lodges with
more than five hundred members working in Zagreb. Regardless of its long tradition (first
masonic Lodge in Croatia and in the whole Balkans was established in year 1764 in city of
Glina by Croatian officers who returned from seven-year-long war; Master of the Lodge was
count Ivan Draskovic) Freemasonry in Croatia today has, so to speak, to start from the
beginning. In that sense I would particularly like to point out that today’s Croatian freemasons
have nothing in common with that part of prewar freemasons in Zagreb lodges with
Yugoslavian orientation. It is also worth mentioning that today’s Croatian freemasons have no
connection with so called Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia which is restored two years ago and
works in Belgrade today.

How, at all, were restored masonic lodges in Zagreb?

NN: Croatian freemasons connected with Viennese freemasons and after thorough preparations
brought light into Deputy Lodge “Illyria” in Vienna (March 21, 1992). Besides Croatian, some
Austrian freemasons who wanted to help us entered this Lodge. Consequently, there is no
Lodge in Zagreb, still. Freemasons of Zagreb work in lodges of Klagenfurt, Graz and Vienna.
To establish the Lodge in Zagreb rules are that it has to be at least forty freemasons here in
Zagreb of which seven should be masonic masters. Namely, freemasons are at first
apprentices, than fellow-masons and masters at the end. After that third, master degree they
can progress further on till 33rd degree of Scottish Rite or 7th degree of Royal Arch. This
moment we have about twenty freemasons in Zagreb. At the moment when we will have at
least seven masters (and we expect that to happen by the beginning of the next year) we will
cancel Deputy Lodge and open independent one in Zagreb.

Who are Croatian freemasons?

NN: As I already said, a freemason could become honorable man with good reputation,
established in his profession or creative work. Every freemason is allowed to declare as
freemason in public, but should never say so for any other freemason. This is rigid rule that is
strictly followed and it is, at the same time, main secret, value and acting power of
Freemasonry. Besides the fact that we still do not formally have our Lodge in Zagreb, we
Croatian freemasons already act: among other things we recently joined some humanitarian
activities. Freemasons, as well, want to help that among great many of progressive European
ideas our common idea of freedom and piece, tolerance and humanism finds its confirmation.

That, of course, is not the only field of activity of freemasons?

NN: As Freemasonry in general, Croatian Freemasonry also had significant influence on
political, economical and cultural-scientific destiny of Croatian civilization in the past. Today is
the same. Bearing in mind already mentioned fact about huge influence of Freemasonry today
on politics and economy of the world and knowing how developed are their mutual contacts
and confidence it is not necessary to emphasize that Croatian freemasons could play
significant role in postwar rebuilding of Croatia, too. They, for sure, see themselves in that role,
too.