Grand Lodge of West Virginia

The Grand Lodge of West Virginia is one of two official bodies for Freemasons in the state of West Virginia. [ [http://www.wvmasons.org/ Official Web site] ] It is an association of about 140 local lodges, [http://www.wvmasons.org/List%20of%20Lodges.htm West Virginia Grand Lodge: List of West Virginia Lodges AF&AM] ] and it supervises a retirement home, the West Virginia Masonic Home, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. [http://www.wvmasons.org/Masonic%20Home.htm West Virginia Grand Lodge:West Virginia Masonic Home] ] .

The nonprofit's mission is "To develop and implement programs to assist the lodges in becoming more visible and active in the communities and to promote Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love throughout the state. To facilitate the charitable outreach of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. To promote Honor, Integrity and Truth to all men." Its programs are: "Youth Foundation, Blood/Organ Donors, Foundation for Children, Masonic Education, Library & Museum, Freemason Magazine, Masonic Videos, Circulating Library, Masonic Villages & Academy." [http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?npoId=1250807 Masons of West Virginia, at Guidestar] ]

History

Lawsuit

In June 2008, former Grand Master Frank Joseph Haas sued for readmission after being expelled in November 2007. [http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/200806080397 Judge sues W.Va. Masons] , Andrew Clevenger, Charleston West Virginia Gazette-Mail, Saturday, June 9, 2008] In his suit, Haas claims that he tried to make changes known as the "Wheeling reforms", which would do away with practices that Masonic organizations in other states had "long since done away with." This includes allowing black and handicapped members into West Virginia Masonic lodges as well as allowing lodges in West Virginia to support non-Masonic charities. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/us/16land.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1215857581-amBtQ51O2/EiawkkeXJw4w From Would-Be Reformer, to Former Mason, to Plaintiff] , Dan Barry, New York Times, June 16, 2008] [ [http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x988038578/Expelled-Mason-in-W-Va-sues-grand-master-lodge Expelled Mason in W.Va. sues grand master, lodge] , Associated Press, June 9, 2008]

One reported rule is that “one who has lost a foot, a right hand or a right thumb back of the first joint is ineligible for Masonry.” Another prohibits West Virginia lodges from raising funds for non-Masonic organizations such as local volunteer fire departments. It is also claimed that in June 2008 there were no African-American Freemasons among the 24,000 who belonged to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/us/16land.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1215857581-amBtQ51O2/EiawkkeXJw4w From Would-Be Reformer, to Former Mason, to Plaintiff] , Dan Barry, New York Times, June 16, 2008]

Robin Griffith, the Grand Master of the African-American Prince Hall Grand Lodge in West Virginia filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Haas, saying that West Virginia is one of only ten Grand Lodges in the United States not to recognise Prince Hall lodges. [ [http://masonic-crusade.com/gallery/1/Petitioner%27s%20%28Prince%20Hall%20Lodge%29%20Motion%20to%20File%20Amicus%20Curiae%20Brief%20and%20Brief.pdf Amicus Curiae brief by Robin Griffith] (PDF)]

References

External links

* [http://www.wvmasons.org/ West Virginia Grand Lodge] (official site)