There can be no doubt that fraternalism is alive and well in Ennis, Texas, in view of the presence of a Masonic lodge and a number of non-Masonic fraternal organizations, four of which have predominately Czech membership.  In recent years, fraternalism has also experienced a revival in the Czech Republic, the ancestral home of many Ennisites.
    On Saturday March 8, 2008, Czech fraternalism received a major boost with the merger of two Masonic orders that previously had been frequently at odds and in competition for members.  At a ceremony at Prague's Strahov Monastery, members of the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic incorporated the members of the Czech Grand Orient.  Marc Verdier, the First Deputy Grand Master, reported:

    "The two grand lodges were following different traditions-one was following the Anglo-Saxon or English tradition while the other was following the French, or continental, tradition.  Central Europe is a specific case where both of these tendencies were strong.  But the formal dispute, which was at the core of this division of Freemasonry, has nothing to do with the Czechs, the Poles, or the Hungarians.  It was therefore, after a certain time, understood that the natural evolution of Freemasonry was to unite-which we did on Saturday March 8."

    Czech Freemasonry has a long history.  The first Czech lodge was founded at Thee Stars in Bohemia around 1726 by Count Francis Spork.  The second lodge was founded inPrague in 1741 by some French officers.  Soon, additional lodges were established inPrague.  A group of scientists-most of them Freemasons-founded the Royal Czech Society of Scientists.  During the 20th century, lodges were constituted under German or Hungarian Obedience.  The German Grand Lodge Lessing to the Three Kings was constituted in 1920 and the Czechoslovak Grand Lodge was constituted in 1923.  The two bodies signed a concordant in 1934.  Before World War II, each had about 3,000 members.
    Nazi Germany, like most totalitarian states, was very anti-Masonic.  During World War II, about 135 Freemasons were executed, while at least 130 were imprisoned, more than 100 of  who died as a result of diseases or injuries experienced while incarcerated.  After the war, the Czechoslovak Grand Lodge was reconstituted.  The total membership was then 652.
    After the 1948 Communist takeover, Masonic activity went underground, with meetings held in private homes.  Only 28 Czech Masons were still living at the time of the 1989 Velvet Revolution.  The Czechoslovak Grand Lodge was revived in July, 1990, and, by December of that year, had received recognition from the United Grand Lodge of England and from other European and American Grand Lodges.  The Czech Grand Orient was established by the Grand Orient of France during the early 1990s.
   Today, there are about 500 Freemasons in the Czech Republic.  The recent union should help reduce confusion and prevent duplication of efforts.  Deputy Grand Master Verdier is convinced that many Czechs are still very interested in becoming Masons.  He said: "What makes me personally very happy is to see many young people in Freemasonry.   We have a young and dynamic Freemasonry in this country."  May a great fraternity make many positive contributions to a great country for many years to come!

By: Dr Robert L. Uzzel
Lodge 6, Cottonwood

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