“I received this information with respect and full transparency”
REDONDO, 22 December 2025 — The election of Nuno Festas as Grand Master of the Grande Oriente Ibérico on 13 September 2025 marked the beginning of a new chapter for this Iberian Masonic obedience, which brings together members from Portugal and Spain to strengthen historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
Nuno Festas, a native of Redondo, architect by profession, and Provider (Chair) of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Redondo since 2022, spoke to Alentrium.pt about the personal and institutional consequences of his election, which he had publicly announced on social media in November.
“This is a matter of great pride for me. I was consecrated as Grand Master of the Grande Oriente Ibérico, a Masonic obedience composed of free-thinking men and women from both Portugal and Spain, which I now have the honour of leading,” said Nuno Festas.
According to him, the combination of his role as Grand Master with that of Provider of the local Misericórdia raised questions within the institution, particularly as it entered an electoral phase.
“The issues that arose were not direct conflicts, but rather a lack of understanding. The fact that I still held the position of Provider during an electoral period caused some confusion, especially within the institution’s General Assembly,” Nuno Festas explained.
He revealed that the General Assembly decided to consult religious authorities, including the Archbishop, to determine whether there was any incompatibility between his Masonic role and his role within a religious-based charitable institution. The answer was unequivocal.
“I was informed that, according to Church law — which I must admit I was unaware of in this particular aspect — a Catholic cannot belong to a Masonic order. This, despite the fact that in Freemasonry, we welcome individuals of all beliefs and religions. We never discuss religion in our meetings. What we defend is freedom of thought,” Nuno Festasclarified.
Faced with this interpretation, Nuno Festas withdrew his candidacy for a second term as Provider.
“I received this information with the utmost respect and total transparency. On the 18th, I had submitted my candidacy to continue. But in light of this new information, I feel unable to proceed. I’ve already communicated my withdrawal from the candidacy and requested my name be removed from the list,” he stated.
Nuno Festas now awaits guidance from the President of the General Assembly regarding the completion of the current term.
“In good conscience, I believe that if I no longer have legitimacy to stand for re-election, the current Board also has no basis to continue until year-end. We’re only a week away from the end of the term, but it’s important this is addressed clearly,” he added.
When questioned about the apparent conflict between Masonic values and those of the Catholic Church, Nuno Festas offered a personal reflection.
“The Church, which I see as the Church of men, maintains that Catholics cannot be Freemasons. But I am a deeply committed Christian. I haven’t been a practising Catholic in recent years, but I was baptised, took first communion, made my profession of faith. I come from a profoundly religious family. I’ve walked to Fátima in pilgrimage many times, sometimes with Augusta. I even have a chapel in my home, where I pray. My father’s remains are there — he too served on the Board of the Misericórdia. I followed in his footsteps with great pride,” he said.
He also emphasised that his leadership of the Misericórdia never conflicted with its religious character.
“During my term, we even created a chapel in the residential home — something that didn’t exist before. We always warmly welcomed the Archbishop and the parish priest, and I attended all the religious ceremonies of the institution. I genuinely don’t see what I did wrong, or why this has turned into such a controversy. But I respect that this is the Church’s interpretation — the Church of men, not of God,” stressed Nuno Festas.
Asked about a letter received by Alentrium.pt from a member of the brotherhood suggesting that 200 members might be expelled for “lack of commitment”, Nuno Festas responded:
“That situation has nothing to do with mine. Perhaps someone who supported my list is feeling disappointed by this outcome. Maybe they meant that if I can no longer fulfil my role, others might also not be honouring theirs. But I can’t say for sure,” he said.
On whether other members might also belong to Masonic or other organisations, Nuno Festas reiterated his principles:
“I don’t know if there are others involved in organisations that could be considered incompatible. What I do know is that, as a Freemason, I have taken an oath never to reveal another member’s identity. I have only done so with my own name, by choice and with pride,” he reaffirmed.
When asked whether he regretted making his Masonic role public, Nuno Festas was categorical:
“I have no regrets whatsoever. Given the role I hold, it’s entirely legitimate and natural that I make it public. My investiture was public in Spain, on 13 September in Zaragoza, and it will continue to be throughout my mandate. Other Grand Masters have done the same, including individuals within Portugal’s National Health Service. It’s a normal part of our public life,” he said.
Nuno Festas took the opportunity to highlight the example of António Arnaut, founder of Portugal’s National Health Service, who was also a Masonic Grand Master and publicly acknowledged his involvement in Freemasonry.
“Dr António Arnaut is a clear example that public service and Masonic life are not incompatible. He was a great Republican figure — a doctor, writer, and defender of human dignity — who never hid his Masonic ties. On the contrary, he wrote books about Masonic initiation as a way to explain and honour what it truly represents,” noted Nuno Festas.
In conclusion, he addressed the public perception of secrecy in Freemasonry:
“Today, nothing in Freemasonry is secret. The correct word is discreet. That’s the distinction we must make,” he concluded.
