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| Louisiana Jewel from 31st Triennial in 1910 Photo: Art de Hoyos |
After a private meeting with Grand Master Jeffrey N. Nelson of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, MW Martin Reinschmidt, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana verbally announced that he has rescinded edict 2018-02 and restored recognition to the Grand Encampment.
The Grand Commandery of Louisiana also met in special session and re-elected their Grand Commander, Keith Gates.
Both Grand Masters stated together that they would work with each other during the new Triennium.
MW Reinschmidt posted an announcement this morning on the Louisiana Brethren private phone application, circulated among more than 600 Masons in the state. In it he stated that he had "verbally rescinded" the edict, and that a letter would be forthcoming Monday.
I will post the actual letter when IF I receive it.
For background on this story, see the following articles:
8/20/2018: GM of Louisiana Withdraws Recognition of Knights Templars
8/25/2018: Immediate MEPGM of Grand Encampment Responds To Louisiana Edict
9/2/2018: Lousiana v. Templars: Grand Commander of LA Responds
UPDATE 10/4/2018:
The official text of the letter dated September 26, 2018 has appeared on the Grand Lodge website HERE and reads as follows:
My Brothers,
Through a series of meetings and emails between M:E:G:M: Jeff Nelson of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America and myself, we were able to work out the differences that had arisen between the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, F & A M and the Grand Encampment, leading to my removing our recognition of the Grand Encampment.
Based on an agreement between the M:E:G:M Nelson and I, I have rescinded Edict 2018-02 effective Saturday, September 24, 2018, and have restored recognition to the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
May the Grand Architect of the Universe bless the Grand Lodge of Louisiana and the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
Martin J ReinschmidtGrand MasterGrand Lodge of Louisiana
Congratulations to "cooler heads" thirty days later for solving this fraternal argument. Jerry J. Hamilton
ReplyDeleteWell, this was a vital and well-handled part of Masonic history. I'm glad these three paragons of light could so calmly and efficiently navigate the dire straits of Masonic law, without succumbing to ego or pettiness.
ReplyDeleteGood news. The Craft (Blue Lodge) must have a Grand Master Mason, but the 'Appendant Bodies' do fulfill a real part of the necessary MASONIC fraternal growth for many thousands of Brethren throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a Facebook group. It's a private app. Things posted there are intended to remain private but this report shows that you can never be too careful what you make digital.
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting a copy of that letter.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I deleted the actual image of the Louisiana Brethren phone app message I had originally posted, mostly because I didn't want it to blow back against the folks who shared it with me. But if I can't get a copy of the letter - or if it isn't issued - I'll put it right back up again to properly document this story.
DeleteHe said it at the Conference, and also wrote and sent it to literally hundreds of Louisiana Masons over the weekend. If it was meant to be some secret, or if he contemplated changing his mind back again when he got home, telling hundreds of Masons that he rescinded the edict is probably not the best way to keep it under his hat.
Once something goes digital, there's no hiding it. I'm not telling any GM anywhere what and what not to do. I'm just sayin' it.