The Moldovan Masonry has split up into two camps. A faction that broke from the Grand Lodge of Moldova has announced today the foundation of the National Grand Lodge of the Republic of Moldova. Its leader, Victor Madan, told a news conference that the rupture came following corruption instances among the fraternity, which were disclosed by local papers, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The fact that no alternative was offered to the only candidate in the masonic elections is an indicator that the ideas of fraternity and equality, values shared by the masonry worldwide, are totally strange to the masons in Moldova”, declared Madan. According to him, the foundation of the National Grand Lodge of the Republic of Moldova is a response to all the violations that occurred inside the masonic community, and also a way to overcome the existing differences. “The National Grand Lodge of the Republic of Moldova aims to inject quality both into the public space and the masonic ritual space. The new movement, which will practice the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, intends to change the moral climate of the Moldovan society and to battle corruption through spiritual enrichment”, said Madan. According to him, the National Grand Lodge is composed of men dealing in various fields, including politics, but no name was given. Eligible to join is any man of high moral standing, who is 21 and older, well-situated and who has sufficient knowledge about Masonry. Masonry has existed in Moldova since 1997 through the Grand Lodge of Moldova, which works the Emulation Rite. The National Grand Lodge of the Republic of Moldova has been registered with the Ministry of Justice as a civic association called “Trei Astre” (“Three Stars”)