Last year I was in Afghanistan, and the only lodge there was Oklahoma PH. I emailed my (Texas) Grand Secretary and asked about it (Texas Regular and PH now recognize each other, and allow communication, but last I heard, still require writing a letter to get approval from the lodge you want to vist, and it's routed through both Grand Lodges, and, and, and...... ). He said no, still can't since it isn't Texas PH (the only one we had the agreement with). That was early 2016. I would check with your own Grand Lodge to make sure before going to visit it just to be safe.
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Military Lodges
- Thread starter mrpierce17
- Start date
acjohnson53
Registered User
There is know difference on the opening and closing of a Lodge. Be it military or civilian. Probably half the Brothers that are Master Masons were in the military at some or another. From my own experience the civilian Lodge gave me more stability, because when you're in the military you're moving in a given moment and you pretty much have to reestablish yourself....I know this is an old post but I like to put what's on my mind...
EVG Yumul
Registered User
Under the Grand Lodge of Ireland:
(Law) 134. No Military Lodge, under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, shall initiate any civilian anywhere if a lawfully constituted Lodge exists within ten miles of the place where such civilian resides, or where such Military Lodge then meets. A Lodge of civilians shall not initiate any military man below the rank of a commissioned officer, where there is a Warranted Lodge in the Regiment or Garrison to which such military man belongs; nor shall a Regimental Lodge initiate any military man not belonging to the Regiment if there is a Garrison Lodge in the locality where the Candidate is stationed, or where such Regimental Lodge then meets. Any Lodge violating this Law shall have its Warrant cancelled or suspended, or shall be fined one hundred euro, as the Grand Lodge may see fit.
TLDR: Civilians cannot be initiated in a Military Lodge. There's even a fine and penalty if a Lodge initiates so.
(Law) 134. No Military Lodge, under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, shall initiate any civilian anywhere if a lawfully constituted Lodge exists within ten miles of the place where such civilian resides, or where such Military Lodge then meets. A Lodge of civilians shall not initiate any military man below the rank of a commissioned officer, where there is a Warranted Lodge in the Regiment or Garrison to which such military man belongs; nor shall a Regimental Lodge initiate any military man not belonging to the Regiment if there is a Garrison Lodge in the locality where the Candidate is stationed, or where such Regimental Lodge then meets. Any Lodge violating this Law shall have its Warrant cancelled or suspended, or shall be fined one hundred euro, as the Grand Lodge may see fit.
TLDR: Civilians cannot be initiated in a Military Lodge. There's even a fine and penalty if a Lodge initiates so.
Dontrell Stroman
Premium Member
Do you know the reason why they can only initiate officers ?
EVG Yumul
Registered User
Mainly for proximity. Enlisted personnel do not have the luxury to fully influence the places where the should be deployed to.
acjohnson53
Registered User
Old stuff, one you you don't have to be in the military to become a Master Mason, two when i was raised it was in the basement at a gasthaus in Regensberg, Germany, then we relocated to Hohenfels...
EVG Yumul
Registered User
No, this is still an active Law within the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Other Grand Lodges might have different rules though.
acjohnson53
Registered User
I know this is an . old topic, but interesting. All Prince Hall Lodges are pretty much the same. What differs is being that Military member transition so much to where their turn around so common. you could be in a seat and the next day you deploy. What most Jurisdiction did (Like MWPHGLOK, MWPHGLTX and so forth) extended their jurisdiction to all parts of the world forming new District and expanding their Grand Lodge...
lilhut3579
Registered User
I know this is old but no, that’s not true. We still follow the rules of recognition and regularity.
lilhut3579
Registered User
This is very true. I have been blessed not to be in that situation up until now. I’m joining the YR, in my area and wear reviving the chapter, council, & commandry. Right after degree work we will hold a special election and installation where I’ll be HP, DM, and idk where I’m going for black house.
And you will find a very old thread in here where a Kentucky Mason did that and was suspended.
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Navy Lodge 2612 in London is not a military lodge in that sense, but is limited to RN officers. One of the masters was stationed at NATO in Virginia during his term.
MarkR
Premium Member
I believe that would be referred to as an "affinity lodge."
It would, or, as a special interest lodge. This is a “service lodge” with a unique history. I attended there in January and March. http://www.militarymasons.org.uk/Lodge Pages/Navy Lodge.html