ABROGATION OF VISITATION GUIDELINE
Abrogation of Visitation Guideline Staff Report
G
rand Master Leonard Proden recently announced that he and Grand Master Robert E. Wheeler agreed to abrogate the guideline adopted in the year 2000 to govern visitations by brethren holden to the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of D.C. and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, Inc. In announcing this development, MWB Proden observed that while the guideline had effectively accomplished its intended purpose, adherence to it proved to be cumbersome and time-consuming. Moreover, he stated, in view of the good relations which have been established and now prevail between the two jurisdictions, its continued use is unnecessary. MWB Proden concluded this announcement by observing that with the relegation of the guideline to a position of historical interest, we may now move forward “in becoming better acquainted with our Prince Hall brethren, and they with us.� The resolution of agreement reached by the two Grand Masters reads as follows:
ABROGATION OF SUGGESTED GUIDELINE FOR VISITS BETWEEN BRETHREN OF THE GRAND LODGE, F.A.A.M. AND THE PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF D.C. RESOLUTION Whereas, the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Prince Hall Affiliation of the District of Columbia, Incorporated, did on September 11, 2000, mutually agree to a Suggested Guideline for Visits between Brethren of these two Grand Lodges; and Whereas, during the transitional period that followed the mutual recognition of these two Grand Lodges, said Guideline did serve a necessary and useful purpose and did fulfill the wishes of the two Grand Masters that visits between Constituent Lodges of their respective Grand Lodges should be conducted in the most friendly and appropriate manner; and Whereas, it is the belief of both Grand Masters that fraternal visitations can now be further increased and the bonds of fraternal friendship and brotherhood made even stronger by eliminating the Guideline, now therefore Be It Resolved, that it is now mutually agreed by the Grand Masters of both Grand Lodges that the Guideline is hereby abrogated, it being understood that long established traditions regarding the customs of usual notification to a Grand Lodge in the event of an official visitation by a Grand Master or other high Grand Lodge Officer to another jurisdiction should continue and the abrogation of the Guideline is in no manner intended to diminish such standards of proper Masonic courtesy. Given under our hands on this 20th day of August, 2005. Signed:
Action was taken to enhance inter-visitation by brethren holden to the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of D.C. and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of D.C., Inc. on August 20, 2005 by the Grand Masters of the two jurisdictions, MWB Robert E. Wheeler (L) and MWB Leonard Proden (R).
Most Worshipful Leonard Proden Grand Master, Grand Lodge, Free And Masons, District of Columbia Most Worshipful Robert E. Wheeler Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Lodge PHA, District of Columbia, Inc
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