The Freemason boss, Simon Cusens has gone berserk over the article by L’Espresso and wrote a long message addressed to the members of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta and his readers with some hilarious delirious drivel. Supposedly this is also his defence from L’Espresso‘s story, although strangely he is also addressing me directly and accusing me of failing to turn to Court and refusing to publish his right of reply.
He didn’t send a right of reply. He sent a very delirious and threatening message which we sent back in kind. However, to be fair on him, I’m publishing his message here since he deems it as acceptable enough as defence.
Here’s is his message.
Reports originating in the Italian press about Maltese Freemasonry.
Earlier this year, in some quarters of Italian social media, the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta was needlessly drawn into an ongoing mêlée of a domestic nature there.
As a result of the false allegations expressed, the Grand Lodge I lead proceeded to file a police report (Ref: 1/POL/426/2025). We filed this report on 30th January 2025 and held a face-to-face meeting with Inspector Kurt Zahra of the Malta Police on 6th February 2025 to pre-empt the circulation of this malicious and fake reporting, were it ever to be taken seriously by our forces of law and order. We had also been to see Inspector Zahra when similar fake reports did the rounds in the Maltese press in 2022.
Rather ironic was that whilst the Italian protagonists themselves hid behind anonymity at the time of our report, they peddled a campaign of entitlement to publicly demand to know the identity of other Italian masons who are members in Malta. Rather ironic that was.
Given they got nowhere, they are now presenting their narrative under the guise of legitimate media outlets and channels, but this time still hiding themselves behind the identity of legitimate journalists, who are doing their bidding instead.
The core issue stems from long-standing cultural divisions in Italian society, particularly between the North and South, which at times influence dynamics even if unconnected with Freemasonry per se.
Unfortunately, during recent events in Italy between bodies at variance with each other there, certain tactics were employed that involved appealing to regional biases and engaging the sensationalist tabloid press, followed later by recourse to the Italian legal and justice system in order to slow down, stop, or even change the course charted by others.
These efforts appeared to lean into stereotypes that have historically portrayed Southern regions like Calabria and Sicily in a negative light—messaging that may have resonated with certain audiences in North Italy but alienated others elsewhere.
Given Malta’s geographic location south of Sicily, and its longstanding fraternal ties with respected figures in the broader masonic landscape, the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta (SGLoM) was drawn into what was essentially a domestic Italian matter—more for symbolic association than any substantive involvement.
This situation was never truly about Freemasonry itself, but rather about personal ambitions and ego-driven narratives of the actors involved.
So Freemasonry had and still has nothing to do with these acts.
In contrast to the divisions seen elsewhere, SGLoM has become a refuge for peace and harmony, for we have no such divisions on our home soil.
Consequently, Italian Freemasons from various jurisdictions on their mainland, fatigued by ongoing reports in the Italian press, have found in Malta a unique environment where brethren from different affiliations can sit together in lodge—something quite impossible at home.
Malta is thus seen by many as a masonic oasis—an example of true unity amid diversity. Naturally, this inclusivity may not sit well with all parties, especially where Italian entrenched rivalries persist.
There is nothing short of a media war going on in Italy between certain rival factions that has all to do with egos and nothing to do with Freemasonry. These Italian elements are sadly now targeting even the friends of a feuding party, such as the Grand Lodge I am leading here in Malta.
In vain, they persist in attempts to find out the identity of their co-nationals, who in turn, fatigued by the ordeal at home, would rather come to Malta to practice their Freemasonry than on their own soil.
Over time, it became clear that simply being in amity with one masonic body—when that body is not recognized by another—can result in SGLoM being unfairly perceived as taking sides. This has compounded misplaced suspicion and the unfounded allegations now being propagated parrot-like by our local, solitary, freemasonry-bashing “Inquisitor”.
A particular point of contention has been SGLoM’s strict adherence to Maltese and EU Data Protection regulations. Some external actors in Italy took umbrage with our refusal to provide lists of Italian members’ names for reasons that would otherwise contradict both Maltese and European laws on privacy.
When these attempts failed over several years, the matter surfaced again, this time posing as an article by Italy’s tabloid “Espresso” journal, spreading speculative and sensationalist claims—suggesting that some SGLoM lodges aren’t what they perceive them to be, but are rather, media reports allege, “secret” or subversive lodges in nature, echoing outdated fears reminiscent of past Italian scandals of the 1990s.
These claims lack both any legal and factual basis. Again, our local ‘investigative’ Inquisitor delights in his bias and rushes to copy and paste the same schmuck published in Italy onto his blog page.
Fully aware of our members’ rights at law, including our Italian members, we take privacy very seriously. As a result, SGLoM will continue to comply with local GDPR laws, galvanized by the protection of the highest legal principles enshrined in EU human rights law.
Notably, the European Court of Human Rights, under Application Nos. 29550/17 and 26740/02 (see related judgment 35972/97), explicitly upheld that Freemasons are entitled to privacy and freedom of association as a fundamental human right, ruling against the prying eyes of the defendant Republic of Italy on that occasion, in a landmark judgment on such topic.
SGLoM’s only connection to the sad matters still being endured on the Italian mainland lies in its inclusive spirit and its unfortunate position in an Italian soap opera and narrative designed to exploit old stereotypes and divisions.
Our “offence” was simple: being open, being Southern, and being friendly with those some Italians preferred to marginalize.
Whilst keeping SGLoM at arm’s length from matters not of our concern, we instead remain committed to our lodges, to unity, to mutual respect, and the higher ideals and values of Freemasonry.
Meantime, our local “Inquisitor” faces charges of libel I instituted against him in court, but on the day, he only sends his lawyer and is nowhere to be seen.
He had five opportunities to date to make his case and substantiate his allegations, but five sittings later he continues to make every excuse not to turn up. As you may imagine, the Court’s patience is now running thin and in this week’s sitting, it set an ultimatum for these antics to stop forthwith, so the “Inquisitor” has begun feeling the heat of the fire he lit on his medieval stake intended for others.
Interestingly, every time Italian journalists jerk into action with a new article, the Inquisitor too kicks in to forward their baseless pieces.
I am under no illusion of the power of social media and how devastating it can be when used for character and reputational assassination. True, my reputation suffered. But my conscience is clear. Those who know me well can easily tell the lies and the myths from the truth.
As for the rest who don’t know me well—well, you’re all being taken for a ride. I just sincerely hope you’ll be around when Court delivers its verdict on our Inquisitor’s “investigative” work.
Only then will his readers learn who of us was speaking the truth.
Sooner or later, the truth will prevail.
I’m in no rush, as I know I will have the last word and my day in court soon.
Dear Inquisitor, I recommend you do turn up for the next sitting on November 10th.
Simon Cusens
16 July 2025
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
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