thelonious
22-09-2008, 10:37 PM
This is a very interesting story, and is still developing.
The Grand Masonic Lodge of West Virginia is being sued for corruption by a Past Grand Master. Here's the background:
Frank Haas was elected Grand Master of West Virginia in 2005, making him the highest ranking Masonic official in that jurisdiction. When elected, he was aware that Masonic law in WV was outdated and at times injurious, and promised to change it. For example, it was illegal in WV to confer Masonic degrees on those with handicaps. It was illegal for Lodges to sponsor youth organizations like Demolay for boys and Job's Daughters for girls. There was even a book ban in place.
Brother Haas, as Grand Master, sought to reform the Grand Lodge law, and succeeded. His measures passed in Grand Lodge.
The next year (2006), the new Grand Master, Charles Coleman, set aside the changes. The Grand Lodge Constitution of WV does not give him that authority, but he did it anyway.
Charlie Montgomery became Grand Master in 2007, and also ignored the Haas reforms. When the Grand Lecturer stood up in Grand Lodge to ask why they weren't being implemented after they had been legally adopted, he was ordered by Montgomery to take his seat. He refused and was expelled without a trial.
Brother Haas was then also expelled by Montgomery without trial. They also removed his name from the list of Past Grand Masters on their website.
Since that time, a group of Masonic rebels in WV have started a website called Masonic Crusader, calling for the complete overhaul of the Grand Lodge. The Crusaders are anonymous because Montgomery has already promised to expel all involved.
But surprise: Haas took matters into his own hands, and is now suing the Grand Lodge. He is demanding his membership back, along with monetary compensation due to his character having been viciously and unjustly attacked by the Grand Master and Grand Lodge.
http://www.wvbusinesslitigationblog.com/2008/06/articles/litigation/lawsuit-challenges-members-expulsion-from-fraternal-organization/
http://masonic-crusade.com/
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2007/11/past-grand-master-of-west-virginia.html
It even made the new York Times!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/us/16land.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
The Grand Masonic Lodge of West Virginia is being sued for corruption by a Past Grand Master. Here's the background:
Frank Haas was elected Grand Master of West Virginia in 2005, making him the highest ranking Masonic official in that jurisdiction. When elected, he was aware that Masonic law in WV was outdated and at times injurious, and promised to change it. For example, it was illegal in WV to confer Masonic degrees on those with handicaps. It was illegal for Lodges to sponsor youth organizations like Demolay for boys and Job's Daughters for girls. There was even a book ban in place.
Brother Haas, as Grand Master, sought to reform the Grand Lodge law, and succeeded. His measures passed in Grand Lodge.
The next year (2006), the new Grand Master, Charles Coleman, set aside the changes. The Grand Lodge Constitution of WV does not give him that authority, but he did it anyway.
Charlie Montgomery became Grand Master in 2007, and also ignored the Haas reforms. When the Grand Lecturer stood up in Grand Lodge to ask why they weren't being implemented after they had been legally adopted, he was ordered by Montgomery to take his seat. He refused and was expelled without a trial.
Brother Haas was then also expelled by Montgomery without trial. They also removed his name from the list of Past Grand Masters on their website.
Since that time, a group of Masonic rebels in WV have started a website called Masonic Crusader, calling for the complete overhaul of the Grand Lodge. The Crusaders are anonymous because Montgomery has already promised to expel all involved.
But surprise: Haas took matters into his own hands, and is now suing the Grand Lodge. He is demanding his membership back, along with monetary compensation due to his character having been viciously and unjustly attacked by the Grand Master and Grand Lodge.
http://www.wvbusinesslitigationblog.com/2008/06/articles/litigation/lawsuit-challenges-members-expulsion-from-fraternal-organization/
http://masonic-crusade.com/
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2007/11/past-grand-master-of-west-virginia.html
It even made the new York Times!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/us/16land.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin