The Grand Lodge F&AM of New York has issued the following official statement on Wednesday, October 24th, 2018:
The Grand Lodge of New York, F. & A.M., with MW William M. Sardone presiding as the Most Worshipful Grand Master, has authorized and empowered the formation of the “Grand Lodge of the Free & Accepted Masons of Lebanon” in the Republic of Lebanon.
The Grand Lodge of New York gives its blessings to the new Grand Lodge of Lebanon for a successful continuance of its Grand Lodge forever.
The new Grand Lodge of Lebanon is made up of three lodges previously affiliated with the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Nine remaining New York-chartered lodges in the area remain under New York's District Grand Lodge authority at this moment in time. That may change.
Additionally, there are other lodges at work in the region: ten are chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and two by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (and perhaps others as well). It does not appear that these non-New York lodges have joined the newly established jurisdiction at this time.
Lodges from these differing foreign grand lodges all at work in Lebanon have been involved in friction between their governing bodies over the years. At various times, New York has suspended amity with both D.C. (in 2008) and Scotland (in 2017) over jurisdictional and other conflicts concerning Lebanon lodges. I believe that situation still currently exists with Scotland (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Perhaps this newly established grand lodge will help to calm those waters in time.
A video was also released last night of the charter being issued and can be seen at this Facebook link.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 1, 2018:
I have been forwarded a copy of the charter issued by New York.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 1, 2018:
I have been forwarded a copy of the charter issued by New York.
Click to enlarge
It can be very interesting to see grand jurisdictions extend themselves overseas. Their are challenges on the one hand, and benefits on the other. I think few American grand jurisdictions have extended their territory overseas as much as the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington,F&A.M. Their list of countries is quite impressive.
ReplyDeleteThere are interesting examples -- the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts lodges in Central and Latin America, the United Grand Lodge of England in the American Virgin Islands, of course the Irish,Scottish and English lodges remaining as a legacy in Australia, India, and elsewhere. The Shrine in Washington DC has been busy planting overseas.
ReplyDeleteThe Grand Lodge of the F & AM of Lebanon was formed by 3 Lodges who worked under the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon under the Grand Lodge of New York. The District Grand Lodge with its 9 remaining Lodges, still functions under the Grand Lodge of New York.
ReplyDeleteThe issue with Scotland is not teritotial. Scotland, knowingly and intentionaly, took in Expelled New York Masons in direct violation of Common Masonic Principles.
Thanks for this information. I have read this elsewhere as well and have updated the story. As for the Scotland business, I linked to the actual story from last year instead of trying to re-explain it here. However, I have added a slight qualifier.
DeleteThe Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington state site and way edicts are explained is absolutely outstanding: http://www.mwphglwa.org/mwgm.html
ReplyDeleteA slight correction, Grand Lodge of Scotland has 10 active Lodges working in Lebanon forming the District Grand Lodge of Lebanon, and are consisered the Senior Lodges in the region. As for the conflict between them and Newyork, the info provided here is in acurate, knowingly and intentionally are not proffessional words, i advise you to read the History of the Grand Lodge of Scotland my dear brother.
ReplyDeletethe Grand Lodge Of Lebanon was formed on the 24th by 3 lodges, one of these lodges was dormant for the past decade, in addition the officers and members of the other 2 lodges were not aware of any of this, and now when it became public they are against, the WMs of these 2 lodges seemed to act without the consent of their lodges' members.
ReplyDeleteit you can ask MW Sardone his opinion about that!!
The purpose of establishing a Grand Lodge in Lebanon , is simply to protect the District Grand lodge of New York . New York grand Lodge has no intention to close their District in Lebanon but on the contrary it will use that New established Grand Lodge as a legal and international support . This message was diffused by the District Grand Master RW Tarek Issa.
ReplyDeleteWMs acted without the consent of their past masters, brethren and trustee. The formation of a Grand Lodge in Lebanon was never discussed, needless to say voted for, within a lodge or among brethren. It was imposed!!!
ReplyDeleteTo the Grand Master MW William M. Sardone and the Grand officers of the Grand Lodge of New York:
ReplyDeleteBe sure that ALL F&AM masons of the District Grand Lodge of Syria Lebanon want to STAY under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York except some individuals who are responsible for all this Set Up( 3 petitions for GrAnd Lodge of Lebanon)
1- Fakheruddine Lodge (no. 1903) and Ani Lodge (no. 1911) are now suffering internal problems between their WMs ( The Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer of Grand Lodge of Lebanon) and the members of these Lodges due to the monolithic decision they both took by signing the petition without the consent of their Lodge's members.
2- The third Lodge to sign the petition was Chouf Lodge (no. 1904 or no. 1906) excuse my inconvenience since this Lodge has been dormant for over than 10 years. The Lodges of the District were SHOCKED by members of the old-new Chouf Lodge which was restored back to light on the 24th of October 2018 just to sign the petition of the Grand Lodge Of Lebanon.
CONTROVERSIAL!!!
I've been more than lenient and patient here, but I won't publish any more Anonymous messages on this topic. You've had your say, but you cannot make accusations and not make yourself known so that others may answer your comments and know to whom they are speaking.
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