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GL of Louisiana withdraws recognition of GEKT

texanmason

Registered User
Today in "which Grand Lodge goes nuclear this month," the GM of Louisiana withdrew recognition of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. KTs are only allowed to continue Templary if they are operating outside of the GEKT.

https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2018/08/gl-of-louisiana-withdraws-recognition.html?m=1

TL;DR: a Past Grand Master of ̶G̶E̶K̶T̶ the GLoLA (and PGC of the GCKTLA) got expelled from the GLoLA, GEKT did not expel him and recognized him as a ̶M̶E̶G̶M̶ Departmental Commander. GLoLA went nuclear.
 
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chrmc

Registered User
I agree to a certain extent that LA had a very harsh reaction, but what were they supposed to do? We can all clearly see that GEKT is in the wrong here, so when they go out of they way to recognize the expelled member, let him keep all his titles etc. what's the next step for the Grand Master?

To a certain extent when you get challenged that clearly in public you have to respond. Especially when it seems the expulsion was justified to begin with (from what I'm reading).

But yeah, Masonic politics and all that...
 

Matt L

Site Benefactor
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Does anyone know the reason the PGM got expelled? The GE is going against their own Constitution.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Today in "which Grand Lodge goes nuclear this month," the GM of Louisiana withdrew recognition of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. KTs are only allowed to continue Templary if they are operating outside of the GEKT.

https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2018/08/gl-of-louisiana-withdraws-recognition.html?m=1

TL;DR: a Past Grand Master of GEKT got expelled from the GLoLA, GEKT did not expel him and recognized him as a MEGM. GLoLA went nuclear.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using My Freemasonry mobile app
Umm, Past Grand Commander of LA Grand Commandery?
 

texanmason

Registered User
I agree to a certain extent that LA had a very harsh reaction, but what were they supposed to do? We can all clearly see that GEKT is in the wrong here, so when they go out of they way to recognize the expelled member, let him keep all his titles etc. what's the next step for the Grand Master?

To a certain extent when you get challenged that clearly in public you have to respond. Especially when it seems the expulsion was justified to begin with (from what I'm reading).

But yeah, Masonic politics and all that...

Oh, I agree, the GLoLA is in the right. This is just kind of the nuclear option, IMO.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Does anyone know the reason the PGM got expelled? The GE is going against their own Constitution.

See page 170 of the 2016-2017 GLoLA proceedings for the reason behind his initial suspension.

http://library.la-mason.com/PastProceedings/2017/2016-2017.pdf

Umm, Past Grand Commander of LA Grand Commandery?

My apologies, Bro. Glen. I misread the post. DuTreil is both a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and a Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery. I somehow screwed that up in my head as a "Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment."

Error noted & appropriate edits made - thank you for pointing that out!
 

chrmc

Registered User
See page 170 of the 2016-2017 GLoLA proceedings for the reason behind his initial suspension.

http://library.la-mason.com/PastProceedings/2017/2016-2017.pdf

Thanks for this. I must admit the more I read about this, the more I think we need to applaud the GLoLA. Seems like they've had a crappy situation with a PGM that they've handled as professional, Masonic and transparent as possible. Not often we see that in Masonic politics.

Seems like they are clearly in the right here and some harsh criticism needs to be aimed at the Grand Encampment.
 

Keith C

Registered User
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Does anyone know the reason the PGM got expelled? The GE is going against their own Constitution.

•APPEALS AND GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT
(Cont)• Case #39-2017, Grand Lodge v. Frank N. DuTreil, Jr.
FACTS: On June 7, 2017, Grand Master Will P. Gray issued a letter suspending Frank N. DuTreil, Jr., Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana, from Freemasonry for Unmasonic Conduct pursuant to the Handbook of Masonic Law, General Regulations, art. IV, § 1 (a), p. 24; the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, Edict on “Suspension and Suspended Masons,”¶ 11, p. 109; and the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, Edict on “Masonic Offences and Unmasonic Conduct, “ ¶ 4, p. 96. On June 30, 2017, said letter was personally served upon Frank N. DuTreil, Jr.

Whereas, Frank N. DuTreil, Jr., for several years perpetuated and widely distributed the notion that Woody D. Bilyeu, Grand Secretary and Past Grand Master, was a convicted felon both orally and in writing;

And Whereas, such notion is a falsehood, which could have been proved had Frank N. DuTreil, Jr., had he exercised due diligence in researching and investigating such a serious accusation;

And Whereas, Frank N. DuTreil, Jr.’s actions constituted “speaking evil” of a Brother Mason in violation both of the Master Mason’s Obligation and the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, Edict on “Masonic Offences and Unmasonic Conduct, “ ¶ 4, p. 96;

AndWhereas, Frank N. DuTreil,Jr.,failed to surrender his dues card as he was ordered to do by Grand Master Will P. Gray in his suspension letter dated June 7, 2017;

And Whereas, Frank N. DuTreil, Jr.’s failure to surrender his dues card constituted insubordination to the Grand Master in violation of the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, Edict on “Suspension and Suspended Masons, “¶ 11, p. 109;

And Whereas, Frank N. DuTreil, Jr., evaded personal service of the letter suspending him for almost three (3) weeks without sufficient justification:

RULING: Your Committee on Appeals and Grievances unanimously voted to sustain the actions of the Grand Master, found the respondent guilty, and recommended that the respondent be indefinitely suspended. At the July 1, 2017 session of the Annual Grand Communication, the ruling was moved as stated, was properly seconded, and was overturned by the duly registered delegates of the Grand Lodge.

On July 2, 2017, Grand Master Will P. Gray pubically reprimanded the respondent.

Most Worshipful Grand Master, we, the members of your Appeals and Grievances Committee, express our thanks for the opportunity to serve you and the Grand Lodge.

Respectfully and fraternally submitted, Travis M. Holley, P.M., Ad hoc Chairman Gary
L. Gribble, P.M.
H. Edward Durham, P.G.M.
Mark R. Holstead, P.M.
James E. “Jimmy” Steen, P.M.
Mitchell A. Reynolds, P.M.
M. Cash Melville, P.M.
M.W. Bro. Clayton J. “Chip” Borne, III, P.G.M.,
and W. Bro. Anthony Radosti, P.M
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Thanks for this. I must admit the more I read about this, the more I think we need to applaud the GLoLA. Seems like they've had a crappy situation with a PGM that they've handled as professional, Masonic and transparent as possible. Not often we see that in Masonic politics.

Seems like they are clearly in the right here and some harsh criticism needs to be aimed at the Grand Encampment.
PGMs are such a bother.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
The irony, both Brethren Du Treil & WB Bilyeu were both a pleasure individuality and together, in person. In fact, if my memory serves correctly, they both are charter members of O.K. Allen Lodge #33 with me.

Sadly I had to demit a few years back... I simply couldn’t get over to any of the meetings.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I dont think I have read a single comment on this which has not been supportive of GLofL - that doesn't happen very often.

While we are only reading one side of this expulsion, the reality is even if it was unjust, the excluded looses the right to sit in an appendant Masonic Body.... and the only place to fix that is within the Body of the GL where the expulsion took place, not by welcoming the expelled into your Chapter, Encampment, Shrine, Conclave etc etc
 

chrmc

Registered User
Another interesting thing, which I think brother Cook brought up on another site, is the fact that my having an expelled brother sit in on the sessions, the Grand Encampment most likely made a lot of members break their obligation, as they sat in lodge with a suspended Mason.

Of course depends on the exact wording of the obligation, whether the session can be considered "a lodge" etc. but still makes you think.

Must also say that I'm very surprised about the lack of comment in the thread from some of our very regular York Rite guys. Would have thought they would have had some comments...
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
I'm obviously a regular YR poster, and I have read this thread, but I honestly really don't have a major opinion or feeling on it.
I don't disagree with the GM having the right to do what he did because YR bodies are Masonic. I also don't like Blue Lodge GMs getting heavy on heads of sovereign bodies. It's all just a peeing contest the fraternity could do without.
 

LK600

Premium Member
I also don't like Blue Lodge GMs getting heavy on heads of sovereign bodies.

Let me first state I know very little about the appendant bodies beyond the basics, so this is more of a question that an argument. It is my (limited) understanding there is no such thing as a Sovereign body in Masonry outside of the blue lodge(s). All appendant bodies exist at the permission and the pleasure of Blue Lodge, and are to serve the sames needs. Is this incorrect? I have no disagreement with anything specifically that you wrote.
 
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