‘Widows Sons may return to lodge’

    

Cornerstones photo

Widows Sons chapter in New York City.

In an edict published yesterday afternoon, our Grand Master granted a moratorium on the 2017 restrictions placed on the Widows Sons motorcycle riders here in the Grand Lodge of New York.

The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association, according to its website, is “an International Association comprised of Master Masons in good standing who are members of their local Widows Sons Chapter.”

The website also says: “The Widows Sons was founded in 1999 with the intention to offer aid and assistance to Masonic Widows and Orphans. Still holding strong to that commitment, the Widows Sons offers regular charitable donations to Masonic and other charities to help benefit many people throughout the world.”

Also:

“Our focus is to:

- Contribute to the relief of our Widows & Orphans;

- Introduce the sport of motorcycling to our Masonic Brothers;

- Raise Masonic Awareness in the world of sport motorcycling;

- Support our Blue Lodge through regular attendance and assisting with lodge events; and

- Represent the fraternity in a positive light at all times.”

In his action Saturday, Grand Master Richard Kessler says “during this past summer recess, several motorcycle enthusiasts who are Master Masons in good standing have petitioned...for reconsideration based upon their assurance of good conduct and pray for an appeal to reverse the original decision and edict prohibiting any communication or interrelation with ‘The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association’ and its affiliates by fellow Masons.”

The previous edict from MW Jeffrey Williamson, dated September 19, 2017, asserted there had been “multiple instances of disparaging conduct unbecoming of a Master Mason by an assortment of members of the organization clearly demonstrating that ‘The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association’ has not achieved a level of Masonic maturity, decorum, and dignity required by those who seek association with the Grand Lodge.” It also mentioned how grand lodges elsewhere in the country held misgivings about this group.

The riders’ website reports there are 387 chapters worldwide, with 280 in the United States. Three in New York are listed: Cornerstones Chapter in New York City; Stonecutters Chapter on Long Island; and Traveling Men Chapter at Troy.

Cornerstones photo

Cornerstones Chapter in New York City.

The 2017 edict did not forbid the existence of the Widows Sons (the absence of an apostrophe drives me bananas), but did bar the riders from functioning on Masonic locations and at Masonic events in the Grand Jurisdiction of New York. A biker could race his Screamin’ Eagle through the gaping loophole that is the silence on what the Widows Sons could do in public, which probably explains Cornerstones Chapter’s continued activities between these two edicts as documented in photographs on its Facebook page.

Personally, I’m indifferent to the Widows Sons. I’d rather see more personal development circles, mindfulness exercises, book clubs, and historical societies in Freemasonry but, if the bikers honor their good behavior pledge, who am I to say?