Editing Freemasonry (section)

==== Modern challenges and evolution ====
The concept of Exclusive Jurisdiction has been significantly challenged in the United States with the increasing recognition of [[Prince Hall Masonry|Prince Hall Grand Lodges]], a branch of Freemasonry created for African Americans. Historically, many "mainstream" or conservative U.S. Grand Lodges refused to recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges operating in their states, citing Exclusive Jurisdiction. However, this began to change in 1989 when the [[Grand Lodge of Connecticut]] extended recognition to its Prince Hall counterpart.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sueanna Smith |title=Reimagining Prince Hall: Race, Freemasonry, and Material Culture In Boston, 1775-1870 |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7385&context=etd |website=[[University of South Carolina]] |access-date=4 November 2024 |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709172151/https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7385&context=etd |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut |url=https://mwphgl-ct.org/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut |language=en-US |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610171412/https://mwphgl-ct.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

This initial recognition created a precedent for "shared jurisdiction" between mainstream and Prince Hall Grand Lodges, effectively modifying the traditional interpretation of Exclusive Jurisdiction. By 2024, most U.S. Grand Lodges have recognized their Prince Hall counterparts, establishing a new norm where two Grand Lodges can legitimately operate within the same geographical area, provided they maintain mutual recognition and amity.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=The Grand Lodge of Connecticut |url=https://gwmemorial.org/blogs/gl-of-the-month/the-grand-lodge-of-connecticut |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=GWMNMA |language=en |archive-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106233111/https://gwmemorial.org/blogs/gl-of-the-month/the-grand-lodge-of-connecticut |url-status=live }}</ref>

The evolution of this practice demonstrates how traditional Masonic principles can adapt to accommodate social progress while maintaining the fundamental aims of regular Freemasonry. Some jurisdictions have formalized this arrangement through written agreements that specifically outline the terms of shared jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prince Hall Freemasonry archives |url=https://bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu/portal/view/?id=BMRC.HARSH.PRINCE_HALL.xml#:~:text=Today,%20Prince%20Hall%20Lodges%20are,their%20names%20to%20avoid%20confusion |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707131857/https://bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu/portal/view/?id=BMRC.HARSH.PRINCE_HALL.xml#:~:text=Today,%20Prince%20Hall%20Lodges%20are,their%20names%20to%20avoid%20confusion |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="phylaxis">{{Cite web |title=John B. Williams Web Page |url=https://thephylaxis.org/williams/recognition.php |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=thephylaxis.org |archive-date=7 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307182939/https://thephylaxis.org/williams/recognition.php |url-status=live }}</ref>