The Freemasonry Free Zone of Iraq

grandsecretary · 02-14-2008, 05:33 AM

Once again the question of "exclusive territorial jurisdiction" has raised its ugly head.

An American Lodge was founded at the beginning of Word War One when American troops on active service abroad wanted to meet together at a time of danger and conflict. This Lodge went into dormancy in 1975.

30 years later, in 2005, it was announced that it was to be reactivated (reponed) in the Iraq theatre of war so that American troops could meet in harms way, as Masons, in love and unity.

Although no official reason has been given, "permission" for this Lodge to be activated has been refused (described by those involved as "showing the finger").

Apparently there is a concern that if existing Masons join, or candidates are initiated, they will fall foul of the "exclusive territorial jurisdiction" rule of the Confederation of Grand Masters of Masons of North America, as Iraq is not their "place of residence".

It cannot be acceptable to deny Freemasons their Freemasonry, when they probably need it the most, rather than deal with this self-imposed problem of "exclusive territorial jurisdiction".

See: http://www.dcmetronet.com/landseaandairlodge1iraq/
and: http://www.cemab4y.blogspot.com/

cemab4y · 02-14-2008, 01:29 PM

I just spent two years in Iraq. I am returning there next month for another contract. There are a number of lodges currently operating in Iraq:

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http://www.geocities.com/neroprince634/cyrusforbes.html
Cyrus Forbes Military Lodge #640
PHA Masonic Lodge (TX) Baghdad, Iraq

Middle East Lodge
middle_east_lodge_105@hotmail.com
curtis.anthony.green@us.army.mil

rodney.aytch@us.army.mil
Rodney Aytch
John Tucker
wm@pony-357.com
Cross Swords Military Lodge #150
http://www.pony-357.com/indextop.htm

Sons Of Light Military Lodge #197
Balad, Iraq
http://sonsoflight197.com/index.html

WorshipfulMaster@SonsofLight197.com
ADDGM@SonsofLight197.com
SDDGM@SonsofLight197.com

Bro Thomas
SD
Live Stone #152
www.livestonelodge152.com

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Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1, was organized in 1917, during WW1. It was dormant between the wars, and then brought back for WW2, then retired, then brought back for Korea and Vietnam. It was briefly activated during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Please see

http://www.esmason.com Fall 2005 issue, page 32

The lodge has been inactive since November 2005. There is currently no "Grand Lodge of Iraq". Military traveling lodges operate under the sponsorship of a Grand Lodge. There need not be a Grand Lodge in the country of operation, since the military traveling lodge is under the aegis of a Grand Lodge in a different country.

A military traveling lodge has no "members" in the traditional sense. No dues cards are issued, no officers are elected. The Military traveling lodge gets no vote in the operation of the sponsoring Grand Lodge. A military traveling lodge is a "virtual lodge", that exists so that masons in a combat zone, may have masonic fellowship, and perform degree work, lodges of sorrow, etc.

LSA#1 has a worshipful master and a secretary, who are resident in Buffalo, New York, and are appointed by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York. When lodge meetings occur abroad, the officer's chairs are occupied by Master masons on an "ad hoc" basis.

LSA#1, will have an arrangement with a "fixed" regular lodge in New York (probably Lodge #877 in West Point NY). If a new candidate receives the degrees in Iraq, he will be issued a dues card and membership from the fixed lodge. When the new Master Mason is transferred to another location, he will have the ability to transfer membership to a lodge in the USA (or elsewhere) which has communications with the Grand Lodge of New York.

There are still some administrative details to be worked out. A mechanism will be developed so that candidates for the degrees can be investigated to determine their fitness for Masonry.

With luck, the new Grand Master of Masons in New York, who takes office in May 2008, will be more amenable to permitting the lodge to operate in Iraq.

I will be more than glad to answer any questions or inquiries about Masonry in Iraq, or specific questions about our lodge. You may keep track of our progress at

www.cemab4y.blogspot.com

cemab4y · 03-17-2008, 11:33 AM

I arrived in Iraq a week ago. I am living in Taji. We hope to get a lodge underway soon. Please keep checking my blog.