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H. Wallace Reid, 33°
Grand Minister of State and S.G.I.G. in South Carolina
407 Berkshire Hill, Anderson, South Carolina, 29621
Because of its effective leadership, the Supreme
Council, S. J., has become stronger and more beneficial to all
Masonic interests everywhere.
Illustrious H. Wallace Reid, 33°, delivering
the report of the Committee on Fraternal Relations to the 2001 Bicentennial
Biennial Session of the Supreme Council; Photo: Bro. George
J. Stoklas, Jr., 32°, K.C.C.H.
Throughout this biennium, the Grand Commander has
traveled extensively throughout America and abroad in the interest
of Freemasonry. These visits, plus his extensive correspondence,
have intensified and extended our fraternal relations in amity
and good will with all regular Masonic groups of the world: the
regular Supreme Councils of the Scottish Rite and all Regular
Grand Lodges of the world. Your Committee on Fraternal Relations
is pleased to report that fraternal relationships are now enjoyed
by our Supreme Council with 54 Supreme Councils around the world
and their respective Grand Lodges.
Your Committee commends Grand Commander Kleinknecht
for the assiduous manner in which he has adhered to the Grand
Constitutions of 1786 and has required other Supreme Councils
of the world to do the same if recognition of regularity by and
the exchange of representatives with our Supreme Council, the
Mother Supreme Council of the world, are to be desired. Because
of this effective leadership, the Supreme Council of the Southern
Jurisdiction of the United States of America (Mother Supreme Council
of the World) has become stronger and more beneficial to all Masonic
interests everywhere.
We commend our Sovereign Grand Commander for his
numerous visits to other Supreme Councils and for his attendance
at conferences and other special events. Such visits enable him
to become better acquainted with Masonic leaders from around the
world and to obtain from them firsthand information about the
conditions of Freemasonry in their Jurisdictions. These visits
also demonstrate to our Masonic Brethren in foreign countries
the personal and fraternal interest of our Supreme Council and
of the Grand Commander in their problems and the efforts expended
in rebuilding Masonry following the devastations caused it by
World War II and the suppressions imposed by totalitarian forms
of governments. Much good will and fraternal fellowship toward
our Supreme Council have been developed through these visits.
As an important and significant part of our fraternal
relations, much thought and effort must be directed toward enhancing
the relations within the Masonic family. Some of our foreign Supreme
Councils from time to time experience what appears to be communication
problems with their Grand Lodges.
In December 1999, your committee, after careful
examination of facts dealing with an instance which occurred in
Romania, recommended to the Grand Commander that fraternal relations
with the Supreme Councils of Belgium and France be suspended.
Fraternal relations with both were suspended on December 10, 1999.
Fortunately, since that time the concerns have been resolved,
and fraternal relations were restored with the Supreme Council
of Belgium on February 23, 2001, and with the Supreme Council
of France on July 24, 2001.
On July 3, 2000, the Shrine of North America at
its 126th Imperial Council Session in Boston voted to eliminate
the membership prerequisite, throughout all of North America,
of being a member in the York or Scottish Rite. This action by
the Shrine was in opposition to the position taken by the Scottish
Rite, S. J., which was and still is in support of unity within
the Masonic family. Unfortunately, this break could have serious
implications for both the Shrine and the Rite. In any case, the
action by the Shrine provides new challenges for the Scottish
Rite as we enter the new millennium. Our vision for the family
of Freemasonry will continue, and we will seek to preserve the
honor and dignity of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
On March 25, 2000, a new Supreme Council was formed
in the country of Slovenia. Ill. Robert L. Goldsmith, 33°,
S.G.I.G. in Florida and Grand Orator of the Supreme Council, along
with Ill. Robert W. Woodward, 33°, Deputy for the Orient of
NATO Bases, represented the Supreme Council, S. J., and took part
in the installation ceremonies. The creation of this new Supreme
Council was due to the efforts of many following the recognition
of the Grand Lodge of Slovenia by the Conference of Grand Masters
of North America in February of 2000. The Supreme Councils of
Austria and Italy worked very hard to accomplish this feat, and
they were assisted in the ceremonies by our Ill. Bro. Woodward
and Ill. Bro. Mario Guia, 33°, from the Supreme Council of
Portugal.
Grand Commander Kleinknecht had accepted the first
two Slovenian Brethren in the Scottish Rite in June 1991 during
a visit in the Czech Republic. During the installation, Ill. Goldsmith
was privileged, as the representative of Grand Commander Kleinknecht,
to place a Sovereign Grand Commander's cap upon the head
of Ill. Velijko Varicak, 33°, the new Sovereign Grand Commander
of the Supreme Council of Slovenia. Inspector Goldsmith remarked,
"It was a moment I will never forget, as it symbolized the
diffusion of the Scottish Rite's moral influences and teachings
in yet another country."
The XVI World Conference of Supreme Councils was
held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 22–27, 2000. Representing
the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., were Ill.
Bros. C. Fred Kleinknecht, Ronald A. Seale, H. Wallace Reid, Dwight
A. Hamilton, Curtis N. Lancaster, and Arthur J. Kerr. This international
Scottish Rite Conference was hosted by the Supreme Council of
Brazil. Sovereign Grand Commanders and delegates from over 25
nations attended. The theme of the conference related to the permanent
struggle against all manner of prejudice and for the advancement
of peace in the third millennium. Each visiting head of a delegation
was invited to present a paper relating to the theme. Grand Commander
Kleinknecht in his comments noted: "The ancient enemies of
humanity still walk among us today. Men continue to destroy their
neighbors merely because they speak another language, worship
at a different altar, or have a different color of skin. It is
a blessing with a responsibility we share, belonging to a Fraternity
that exists to aid and improve humanity. We are Freemasons because
we recognize that although we are imperfect, we are capable of
bettering both our own lives and the lives of our fellowman. And
we are Freemasons because we can do this in the bonds of brotherhood,
with men of every race and of any faith. We are the fortunate
inheritors of an ancient system of morality, which teaches the
best principles of philosophy and inculcates the virtues. And
although it is an easy thing to see the weaknesses of other men,
we cannot ignore our own. If our beliefs do not manifest into
action, it is to our shame."
The Sixteenth World Conference was truly a remarkable
session. It provided the opportunity for Scottish Rite leaders
from all over the world to meet and discuss the challenges and
opportunities facing the Fraternity on the dawn of the new millennium.
Immediately following the Conference in Rio de Janeiro,
Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht, accompanied by Ill. Bros.
John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., and Arturo de Hoyos, 33°,
made a historic visit to the Vatican. The purpose of the visit
was to participate by invitation in an hour-long meeting with
a high-level official of the Roman Catholic Church. The Scottish
Rite Masons were pleased to discuss with the Vatican official
the nature of Freemasonry, its history, its purposes, and its
philanthropies. Several misconceptions regarding Freemasonry were
addressed in this cordial and productive meeting. Out of this
meeting came an offer of further contacts with Roman Catholic
officials in the United States. The Committee commends the Grand
Commander for taking this important step in helping to resolve
any misconception which might exist regarding religion and Freemasonry.
On January 7, 2001, following many months of planning
and preparation, a Supreme Council of the 33° was formed in
Bulgaria. Grand Commander Kleinknecht had received, in April of
2000, a request from the Grand Master of Bulgaria, M.W. Ivan Stavrev,
to form a Scottish Rite Supreme Council in Bulgaria. Grand Commander
Kleinknecht asked Ill. Robert W. Woodward, 33°, Deputy for
the Orient of NATO Bases, to coordinate efforts that would result
in the conferring of the 4th through the 32nd Degrees on those
Master Masons the Grand Master of Bulgaria recommended. The Grand
Lodge of Germany had assisted the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria in re-establishing
itself in 1997, so Grand Commander Kleinknecht contacted Sovereign
Grand Commander Hubert V. Kopp, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander
of Germany, and informed him of the request from the Grand Master
of Bulgaria. Grand Commander Kleinknecht expressed his own willingness
to accommodate that request. Bro. Woodward made arrangements for
the American Military Scottish Rite Bodies in Frankfurt, Germany,
to confer the Degrees upon the Bulgarian Brethren, and following
many months of work, the final plans were put into action.
Early on Sunday morning, January 7, 2001, Scottish
Rite Masons from throughout Bulgaria began assembling at the Sheraton
Balkan Hotel, and the historic consecration ceremony began with
Deputy Woodward serving as Sovereign Grand Commander. Several
representatives from other Supreme Councils participated in the
ceremony, and the Sovereign Grand Commanders from Greece and Turkey
were present to witness this special event. The Supreme Council,
S. J., and Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht were represented
by Ill. C. B. Hall, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General
in West Virginia and Second Grand Equerry of the Supreme Council.
Following the Consecration Ceremony, a statue was dedicated in
downtown Sofia, the first Masonic statue in Bulgaria. It was created
by Brother Valko Tzehou, a member of Light of the Traki Lodge,
and is titled "Old Bulgarian Mason." A photograph of
the statue appears inside the front cover of the May 2001 issue
of the Scottish Rite Journal.
During June 2001, Sovereign Grand Commander and
Mrs. Kleinknecht, as tourists, were visiting St. Petersburg, the
former capital of Russia. What they had thought would be a sightseeing
and social visit soon turned into a quietly organized program
of semi-official meetings with Russian officials. Grand Commander
Kleinknecht met with the officers of the Supreme Council of Russia
as well as numerous governmental and cultural leaders who were
interested in Freemasonry. These meetings appear to hold potential
significance for the future development of Russian Masonry and
the extension of Masonic cooperation. The Grand Commander and
the Russian Brethren met with Mr. G. Piatrovskiy, director of
the Hermitage, one of the most prestigious museums in the world,
and were permitted to view a collection of Masonic regalia, medals,
jewelry, and coins which had never been exhibited before. The
collection had been assembled by the famous Russian industrialist
Burylin, a Mason.
Grand Commander Kleinknecht also had the pleasure
of meeting with Mr. V. Yakovlev, the governor of St. Petersburg,
and discussing with him the various activities in which Masons
are involved. The governor, who is not a Mason, stated that he
has been interested in Freemasonry for some time and considers
the Fraternity to be one of the more important phenomena in the
development of world history. The governor expressed his readiness
to render appropriate assistance in the process of establishing
Masonry in his city, as well as in Russia overall. Governor Yakovlev
is a well-known and influential political figure in Russia and
is a political ally of President Putin.
Ill. John E. Moyers, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector
General in Kentucky and Grand Master of Ceremonies for the Supreme
Council, represented Grand Commander Kleinknecht at the meeting
of the English-Speaking Supreme Councils in London on July 7–9,
2000. The host, the Supreme Council for England and Wales, under
the leadership of M.P. Brother, the Rev. Canon Richard Tydeman,
33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, graciously received and welcomed
the delegates. Twelve different Supreme Councils participated
in the Session, and interesting and informative papers were presented
and discussed relating to changes in society which influenced
the advancement of our beloved Scottish Rite Fraternity. Ill.
Brother Moyers reported on the new Revised Standard Pike Ritual
and financial and fraternal support needed by emerging Supreme
Councils.
The 44th Conference of the European Sovereign Grand
Commanders was held in Istanbul, Turkey, May 23–27, 2001.
Ill. H. Wallace Reid, 33°, Grand Minister of State and S.G.I.G.
in South Carolina, represented the Supreme Council, S. J., and
Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht. The theme suggested for the
Conference was: "The Mission of the AASR in the Dynamic Environment
of the Future." The conference was conducted in three languages—English,
French, and Spanish. With the use of microphones and headpieces,
a delegate could speak in any of the three languages, and, with
the aid of qualified translators, his remarks would be repeated
in the other two languages. Many interesting and informative papers
were presented by the delegates, which led to thought-provoking
discussions as we Freemasons prepare for entering the new millennium.
A paper prepared by Grand Commander Kleinknecht, entitled "The
Center Must Hold," was presented by Ill. Reid. A copy of
this paper appears in the June 2001 issue of the Scottish Rite
Journal. Twenty-three Supreme Councils were represented by
62 delegates.
The opening ceremony was led by M.Ill. Brother Jacques
Van de Calseyde, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of Belgium
and President of the 43rd Conference of European Sovereign Grand
Commanders. The first order of business was the election of the
President for the 44th Conference, and M.Ill. Suha Umur, Sovereign
Grand Commander of Turkey, received unanimous selection. In addition
to the regular agenda of presenting papers, two additional activities
had been planned which proved to be quite interesting. The Ceremony
of Exaltation of the 15° was performed by the Chapter Light
of Wisdom, in the English language, in the Lodge Room of the
Supreme Council for Turkey. The conferral was quite interesting
and performed in a very professional manner by the Degree Team.
The second event was held on Friday and consisted of a sightseeing
tour in and around the city of Istanbul. The tour consisted of
visiting the Blue Mosque, Sophia Museum, and Topkapi Palace, where
a delightful lunch was enjoyed. Later in the afternoon, the delegates
and their wives were treated to a boat tour on the Bosphorus,
during which refreshments and dinner were served. The guests who
had never visited Istanbul were quite impressed with the city,
which is one of the largest and most densely populated cities
in the world. The conference concluded Saturday evening with a
gala dinner and address by the M.W. Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Turkey, Ill. Demir Savascin, 33°.
The committee notes in the Grand Commander's
Allocution the names and dates of the deaths of officials
of other Supreme Councils, and we extend to these Supreme Councils
our sympathy in the loss they have sustained.
The Fraternal Relations Committee compliments and
recommends approval of all acts of Grand Commander Kleinknecht
insofar as they pertain to fraternal relations with all Masonic
groups at home and abroad.
Your committee feels that our Grand Representatives
can fulfill an important role by actively promoting a strong personal
relationship between themselves and their counterparts. These
personal contacts are effective means of developing good will
and understanding and will strengthen the bonds of fellowship
within our Order.
In every consideration of our fraternal relations,
it is important that we make an effort to enhance the relations
within the Masonic family. To do this, it is important that there
be some program of minor nature, or even better, one which will
call for action collectively between the various Bodies of Freemasonry.
This should bring public attention to the interest that Masons
take in their respective communities and in their public schools.
Respectfully submitted,
H. Wallace Reid, Chairman
Thomas C. Raum, Jr.
Earl K. Dille
C. B. Hall
William R. Miller
Curtis N. Lancaster
Committee
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