The Brethren partake in the celebration of the 288th Anniversary of Peruvian Freemason Pablo de Olavide. The event was held in 3 locations: Lima, Peru; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Atlanta, GA

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(left to right ) WBro. Victor Marshall, Bro. Carlos Leon, and WBro. Dan Genson)

(starting on the right) Patricia Montenegro, WBro. Christian Castro, WBro. David Lewellyn, Liza Lewellyn, Maggi Evans, Bro. Norman Evans, Deb Johnson, WBro. Victor Marshall and Bro. Carlos Leon take time out of the Olavide's Night Celebrations at Atlanta to pose for this picture.

Pablo de Olavide was considered the father of the Peruvian emancipation.(January 25, 1725 - February 25, 1803)

            Pablo Antonio de Olavide was born on January 25, 1725.  He studied under the direction of the Jesuits and at 15 had a doctorate in theology, both civil and Canon.  He was given access to the Chair of Theology Eve and then to the Master of the Sentences at the age of 17. Pablo de Olavide, was considered the father of the Peruvian emancipation in South America.  In 1742, he made contact with Jauregui Joseph a Native American figure/political figure who wanted to restore the Incan state of Tahuantinsuyo.  The English and Freemasons allegedly supported Joseph for this restoration. This is when Olivade had his first experience with Freemasonry.

            At the age of 20, Olivade was a lawyer in the Royal Court of Justice of Lima, Peru.  He was advisor to the Court of the Consulate, and also to the city council.  Shortly thereafter, his father made a 32 thousand pesos donation to the Crown and in appreciation of that donation and recognition of their efficient and effective judicial development, he was appointed Judge of the Audience.  

            On October 28, 1746, Lima suffered a strong earthquake that nearly destroyed the city and caused the death of his father and his sister.  He devoted himself to helping victims, removing rubble, and burying corpses and was given a Papal decree to do so.   For this very work, he was also designated by viceroy José Antonio Manso de Velaso to form a commission to fulfill this role.  He was also tasked with rescuing jewels and money from the destroyed mansions of which would be returned to their rightful owners.  He was also bound by Viceregal authority and was made Count of Superunda by King Fernando VI. 

            After having help rebuild the city of Kings and recovering it’s original appearance, de Olavide initiated and developed the building of three major works: 1). the lifting of the large votive Temple to the Virgin Nuestra Señora de Buen Soccorro, in charge of the minimum Franciscans; in the suburb of San Lázaro which was populated by black slaves and Freed men.  2). The creation of the votive Temple dedicated to the poor and segregated and 3). the total renovation of the Teatro Principal.

             Critics of Olivade suspected that he was working with the British and that he was part of a secret Masonic lodge of which they were searching.   He was, but because of the secrecy that was kept.  No documentation on members was allowed because the Inquisition was hunting them.  He was also prosecuted because of his reformist policies.  He used public funds for the benefit and service of the poor and refused to give the Church any public donations.  This did not bide well. 

            Pablo de Olivade was also dedicated in combatting the rebel Santos Atahualpa, but had to take the issue to Spain. Jurists who charged him with embezzlement used this time to attack him.  While on his trip, his enemies went before the Council of the Indies and also to the King himself to prosecute Olivade while he could not defend himself.  He was put in jail in 1754 in Madrid, Spain later pardoned in 1757 by King Fernando VI.  He was exiled from Lima. 

            For several years Olivade traveled to France and Italy where he met François-Marie Arouet; otherwise known as Voltaire. He spent a week at Voltaire’s farm in Geneva, he also had friendships with John Adams; then Ambassador of the rebellious colonies of North America in France and later the second President of the United States.

            Olavide’s reformist policies soon brought more attention from the Church.  One policy that he was known for what that he refused to allow a German monk to build a monastery in one of the Andalusian settlements to “help the wealthy Germans get into Heaven.”  The monk, Father Romault accused Olivade of speaking against the Catholic religion and transgressions against the Spanish clergy.  The inquisition charged him with blasphemy and heresy on November 14, 1776.  He had 78 witnesses against him saying he committed crimes against faith. 

            After a two-year process, he was sentenced to failing to disclose the alleged secrets of Masons and the names of its member.  He was considered a “formal heretic,” which expelled him from the Court, his property confiscated, all honors forbade, and was sentenced to eight years in a monastery, subject to penance.  After being tortured by the Inquisition and suffering the penance at the Monastory of Sahagún, León, Olivade was able to escape where he went to France in 1780. 

            After escaping to France, he changed his name to Count of Pylos to circumvent any extradition attempts.  He remained in Paris until the start of the revolution in 1789.  He was again imprisoned and tortured in 1794 by the Jacobin regime.  He was forced to repent and return to Catholicism. He was no longer the renegade Mason. With a pardon and authorization granted to him by King Carlos IV, he was able to return to Spain on November 14, 1798.  He was given a pension of 90 thousand reals, and all rights were restored. With his formal repentance, he was allowed to return to Lima the same year.  He was listed as a hero of the emancipation and died with his family on February 25^th 1803. 
Gate City Lodge No. 2 is a Free and Accepted Lodge working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.