The Brethren of the Grande Loge de Belgique gathered this Saturday, November 11, in the historic Cimetière around Masonic tombs. To perpetuate “tradition”, they took part in a ceremony in front of Ulrich Wild’s monument at Westerbegraafplaats in Gent.
For the occasion, F∴ Pat J., Gr∴ M∴ of the Obéd∴ enhanced the ceremony, with the brilliance of his presence and voice.
In 1862, Charles de Kerckhove de Denterghem, then mayor of Ghent, conceived the project of no longer reserving this cemetery exclusively for Christians. Henceforth, Jews and Protestants were also welcome after they had breathed their last. As the diocese strongly criticized this decision, the western cemetery was given its nickname of “Geuzenkerkhof”. “Geus” is a corrupted form of the original French word ‘gueux’, meaning beggar. The word has its origins in the 80 Years’ War, when it was used as an expletive for Protestants and, by extension, for anyone who wasn’t Catholic.
