Felons

[6-7]

How do grand lodges deal with petitioners with a felony conviction?

 

[Winter]

It's jurisdictional. Many Grand Lodges say no outright to petitioners with felony convictions. But I have heard mention of some that will take the nature of the crime into account and weigh it against how the individual has lived since.

 

[Bloke]

In Australia, we tend not to use "felony" as a term, but we will consider applications with convictions and in our masonic jurisdiction they are reviewed on a case by case basis.. Pattern of good behavior and time elapsed and severity of crime and penalty imposed are all considered.
Any conviction needs to be referred to Grand Lodge for review and cannot be balloted for until the green light is given in writing by the Grand Lodge.
I would say this, it is very unusual to see Freemasons who have had a custodial sentence. Crimes like sexual assault or murder are hard stops.

 

[Glen Cook]

Petition NOT barred by a felony conviction
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wyoming (legislation pending)

edited

 

[Winter]

I am actually surprised it is that many.

 

[Bloke]

I am actually surprised it is that many.

I am not. It does not mean they are accepted, but likely that they have the chance to be considered.

Here, no applicant with a criminal conviction of any sort can proceed to ballot without reference and permission from GL. Without that permission, anyone aware of the offense have themselves committed a masonic offense and is liable to masonic charge.

 

[Ill John J. Tumolo III]

As Secretary for my Pennsylvania Blue Lodge, one of my first checks for a new petition is to check for convictions. A felony conviction means no entry. Period. As I tell the petitioner, we take GOOD men and make them better. If you are a convicted felon, even though society may have forgiven you, we cannot and will not approve you for membership.

 

[Glen Cook]

As Secretary for my Pennsylvania Blue Lodge, one of my first checks for a new petition is to check for convictions. A felony conviction means no entry. Period. As I tell the petitioner, we take GOOD men and make them better. If you are a convicted felon, even though society may have forgiven you, we cannot and will not approve you for membership.

Forgiveness and admission are two different issues. One certainly can forgive another, but still put limitations on their associations.

 

[6-7]

First I want to apologize to Bloke for my very unmasonic comment to his original post.
I would like to thank everyone who responded to my thread, it was very informative.

 

[Kingnitro]

How do grand lodges deal with petitioners with a felony conviction?

Depends on the crime. Rape and child molesters and hideous crimes like that is a definite no no.

 

[Bloke]

First I want to apologize to Bloke for my very unmasonic comment to his original post.
I would like to thank everyone who responded to my thread, it was very informative.

No problem Brother. Your message is appreciated and well received. I thank you for it.

 

[Frimurare]

In the Swedish Order of Freemasons no man who have been convicted for a crime for which more than six months in prison is a possible penalty or, alternatively, have served three or more months in prison, may be proposed for membership.

If the WM of the petitioned lodge wishes for an exception to be made, he must (after consulting the lodge council) petition the GM, who in turn makes the final decision.

 

[Pscyclepath]

It depends on the rules of the grand jurisdiction. In Arkansas, we are required to conduct a criminal background check as part of the packet in submitting a petition for the symbolic degrees. (Shriners International requires the same). A completed packet indicating a past felony conviction is definitely a red flag. It's not an outright ban, but requires a lot harder look on the part of the investigating committee to determine the nature of the felony, how recent it was, and whether the petitioner has completed all parts of his sentence and probation, and had led a "clean" life since that time. In reality, it's usually cause for the committee to report "unfavorable" back to the lodge for balloting.
A brother who is arrested or indicted on a felony charge is, without exception, suspended by the grand master, and upon conviction, is expelled. Depending on the nature of the crime, the brother may be immediately expelled by the grand master. We had one of these events occur last fall when a wayward brother was arrested and jailed for capitol murder following a gunfight at a local gas station.

 

[Glen Cook]

Where do you find the background requirement for Shriners?

 

[Pscyclepath]

At least, in our temple by-laws. We use mostly an online petition (beashrinernow.com) and have it linked to an online background check (locally contracted). Results are e-mailed to the Recorder.

 

[Glen Cook]

At least, in our temple by-laws. We use mostly an online petition (beashrinernow.com) and have it linked to an online background check (locally contracted). Results are e-mailed to the Recorder.

Thanks. It isn’t a Shriners Intl requirement. I’m surprised an appendant body would run a background check.

 

[Pscyclepath]

Arkansas had a period there between 2012 and 2020 where there was a "major disagreement" between the Grand Lodge and Shriners International where you didn't have to be a Master Mason in order to become a Shriner in Arkansas. Our local background check is a remnant from those bad old days.

 

[Glen Cook]

Arkansas had a period there between 2012 and 2020 where there was a "major disagreement" between the Grand Lodge and Shriners International where you didn't have to be a Master Mason in order to become a Shriner in Arkansas. Our local background check is a remnant from those bad old days.

I sat on the Shrine G&A Committee that heard the matter that lead to the GL of AR decision. That makes sense as to why they kept it.

And it certainly doesn’t hurt to have them.