[ M.W.Grand Lodge of Missouri at its Meeting on September 23 rd 2002 has considered the Report and the draft resolution submitted by the Committee on Joint Masonic Fraternal Relations appointed by the M.W.Grand Master and adopted the resolution recognizing the Prince Hall Masonry which has rightly and well deservedly, but rather belatedly won the recognition of one more Grand Lodge in U.S.A, namely M.W.Grand Lodge of Missouri. Earlier in July M.W.Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri had approved the resolution, which has to be approved by both the M.W.Grand Lodges. We are posting the Report and the Resolution, which have been forwarded to us by Bro. Ed Piles, to whom we offer our thanks.--Webmaster]

Report of the Committee on Joint Masonic Fraternal Relations
To the Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Missouri:

Brethren:

This special Committee, appointed by the Grand Master as directed by an approved Resolution of this Grand Lodge in session in 2001, first met on January 19, 2002 in Columbia, Missouri at the Days Inn Conference Center to discuss our plan for possible formal recognition of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri and Jurisdiction. This meeting was held concurrent with the Long-Range Planning Committee and assured proper exchange of information of key Grand Lodge Officers and others present. We set a proposed date for meeting with the Prince Hall representative committee.

On February 10th, we held a meeting with the Prince Hall committee in a conference room at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in St. Louis. Franklin Richardson, PGM, Chairman; William Graham, PGM; A. C. Compton, PGM; Byron Hams and Terry Crowder were appointed members of their committee. Ronald D. Miller, our Grand Secretary, had also been requested to participate in this and all future meetings. A very congenial meeting was held, and their Grand Master, MWB Charles R. Willis, was present for the opening, and to address the group with a very positive statement, then excusing himself from the work before both of our committees. Our discussions lead us to the understanding of what goals we must accomplish in the form of a Resolution to be placed before each of our Grand Lodges at their forthcoming sessions. Their organization required the Resolution to be submitted to their Jurisprudence Committee 90 days prior to the Grand Lodge to be held in July. On parting, it was agreed that
we would each draft a proposed Resolution, share information, then meet next month on the 2nd of March to firm up a Joint Resolution.

On March 2nd, we met at our Grand Lodge Office in Columbia. The resolutions were drawn in final format and agreed to by all present.

It was reported on July 22, 2002, that the proposed Resolution was favorably passed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri and Jurisdiction at their recent Grand Session.

Your Committee on Joint Masonic Fraternal Relations hereby submits this Resolution for consideration by the members of the Grand Lodge here assembled.


R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri has existed in the State of Missouri since 1821, and

WHEREAS, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri has existed in the State of Missouri since 1865, having initially been chartered by The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio who has been formally recognized by The United Grand Lodge of England on June 11, 1997, and does profess to adhere to Masonic principles and ideals similar to those of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri, and

WHEREAS, Each of the said Grand Lodges desires to remain autonomous within its Jurisdiction, and to operate hereafter as herebefore with its own Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers, Constitution, By-Laws, Ritual, Rules and Regulations, Subordinate Lodges and Membership, and

WHEREAS, Both Grand Lodges desire to fraternally recognize the other as a duly constituted Masonic Grand Lodge, and

WHEREAS, This Resolution is not intended to and specifically does not authorize or permit, (1) dual membership, (2) members of either of the named Grand Lodges to transfer membership to the other, not (3) recognition and visitation between appended or concordant bodies unless so specified by those Masonic Bodies, and

WHEREAS, This Resolution will not become effective until approved by each Grand Lodge at their respective Annual Sessions,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT it is mutually agreed that we will dwell together in Peace and Harmony, and each Grand Lodge does hereafter extend Fraternal Recognition to the other as a duly constituted Grand Lodge of Masons, and do, in the true spirit of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, hereby accord to the other rights of Visitation in Grand Lodges and Constituted Lodges by written invitation, wheresoever assembled, subject always to the Rights, Powers and Authority of the Grand Master and the Masters of the Constituted Lodges to preside over their respective Grand Lodge and Lodges.

Dated: March 3, 2002

Submitted by Joint Masonic Fraternal Relations Committee:

Respectfully submitted,

Wilfred G. Soutiea, Jr., Chairman
Glenn E. Means
Joseph R. Smith

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