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There is a promotional ‘ad’ seen often on BBC News 24 where the Vatican correspondent makes the statement that the Vatican ‘works in centuries not in years’ and if that is indeed the case, then the current papal incumbent will not have been at all surprised to have just been served with a lawsuit pertaining to events 700 years ago. Must seem like only yesterday in fact.
I have to admit the news that The Association of the Sovereign Order of the Temple of Christ have filed a lawsuit to have their good name reinstated by the Vatican is one of those news items that gave me enormous pleasure. The Association’s members are, they claim, the rightful heirs to the famed Knights Templar.
In 1307, the King of France – Philip IV – had bankrupted his treasury waging wars and had borrowed heavily from the Templars. Following unsubstantiated rumours of heresy and ‘ungodly’ practices within the order, he saw having it outlawed a way out of his financial difficulties and persuaded the Pope – Clement V – to do just that. On Friday 13th October, in a well organised Europe-wide operation, Templars were rounded up, arrested and their lands and wealth confiscated. Hundreds were tortured to force admission of heresy and many were executed – most usually by burning at the stake. The Vatican always did have a thirst for blood-letting in imaginative and inhuman ways but of course, I am sure God instructed them to do this so it’s all right then.
The lawsuit, while claiming that it is the good name and reputation of the Templars that must be exonerated, also calculates that the value of land, money and possessions that were seized by the Vatican 700 years ago is, today, worth some 79 Billion UK Pounds (100 Billion Euros). I like that bit!
Bearing in mind I am just talking about the leadership here and not the millions of Catholics across the world who practice this cursed religion – but I’d like to see the modern day Templars storm the Vatican and burn everyone within out in St. Peters Square. The world would have been a better place over the last 2000 years without this evil spreading it’s hatred, intolerance and vile doctrines.
Good luck to them I say. But I would still go after the money – they have an excellent case.
While I agree they take should the Catholic Church for everything, I’d rather see the Catholic Church left intact and made to support the children, now adults, it’s employee’s molested, after all, as best as I know, the Knights Templar were basically hired swordsmen, who when not defending one bunch of religious zealots from all the other religious zealots, were clearly prepared to make money out of war, I find my sympathy a little lacking
well that put this Catholic in his place!…well not realy.
Thuds last blog post..special?
@Malc: All fair points although I find I do have sympathy with anyone arrested on trumped up charges, tortured to get a confession and then burnt alive while being shackled to a post.
As for kids being molested and abused by inadequate men who hide behind their authority and uniform and organisation.. .well the old guy with the silly hat DID say sorry…
@Thud: Sorry Thud. I have nothing against Catholics. It’s the organisation itself I despise
I’d like to see the modern day Templars storm the Vatican and burn everyone within out in St. Peters Square
But St. Peter’s Square is beautiful! Think of the smoke damage!
I am not too bothered by anger at the church although for me the church is more than just a collection of criminals hiding behind their authority…Many many nameless,selfless catholic clergy have done good works for hundreds of years.
The central doctrine of the church has always remained the same…for me its a quiet joy..for others…well none of my business.An easy thing to say I know but there is another system out there masquerading as a religion that deserves chastising..perhaps taking Islam to court for reparations regarding conquest of constantinople etc would be difficult if not suicidal…the Vatican a target that does not fight back.
Thuds last blog post..One step forward,two blah blah.
@Thud: You’re right of course. It’s very easy for me to generalise and I apologise for that. Of course there are good people, thousands of good people. The fact is that Europe in particular has managed to throw off the shackles that Rome imposed. We are no longer in the ‘Dark Ages’ and the church would not be able to get away with the behaviour that characterised it’s first one and a half centuries of existence.
But let’s be honest, when the last Pope apologised (in 2000) for it’s past history the church had a lot to apologise for.
@Jake: You’re right. Perhaps the Coliseum would be better. Maybe bring in a few lions or something.
Andy…I am only too happy that the dead hand of a pan european religion was lifted in order for the west to move into a more productive era.Religion should be a matter for the individual only…I keep my God bothering rather low key!
Thuds last blog post..Slave to love.
Well, well, opening up another can of worms, I see? And Jake defending architecture!! Has the Worlde Gonne Madde?
You might want to go over to my place to pick up your award. It’s not for ranting against organised religion and inciting violence, by the way. Tut tut. Naughty boy.