Masonic Order of Liberia

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The Masonic Order of Liberia is a fraternal organization based on the principles of Freemasonry.

Origins

The Masonic Order of Liberia was formed based on principles of Freemasonry, which had been gleaned by former slaves from their masters in the United States prior to their being "returned" to Africa under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. The former slaves' knowledge of Freemasonry had to have been gained covertly, as they were not eligible for admission to the organization, and its rituals were not open to outsiders;^{[citation needed]} neither Black American Masons nor their Liberian counterparts would have been officially regarded as being Masons by members of the parent group.^{[citation needed]}

Expansion

The Grand Lodge of Liberia was founded in 1867.^[1] By the 1970s there were 17 subordinate lodges and the majority of Liberia's high ranking officials were Masons.^[1]

Political dominion

Matters of state are widely believed to have been decided from within the lodges.^[1] Being a Mason was a veritable prerequisite for positions of political leadership in the True Whig Party, which for over a century was the African nation's only legal political organization.^[1] Liberia's Masons were criticized for this, as well as for the exclusion of indigenous Liberians from their ranks.^[1]

Civil War

Former Masonic lodge palace in 2006

After Master Sgt. Samuel Doe assumed leadership in a coup d'etat in 1980, the political monopoly formerly held by the Americo-Liberians was destroyed and the Masonic Order's influence in Liberia was greatly diminished.

During the First Liberian Civil War, the lodge palace in Monrovia was the scene of many battles.^[2] and its ruins became home to 8000 squatters.^[3] The Masons managed to evict them by in 2005^[3] and there are plans to rebuild the lodge.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Monrovia - Masonic Grand Lodge
2. ^ Old Ruling Elite Making a Comeback in Liberia, Tim Sullivan, Associated Press, September 29, 2001.
3. ^ ^{a b} Liberia- No More War, Jessie Deeter, Frontline (PBS), May 2005.