The Knights of the West

Knights Templar win heresy reprieve after 700 years
By Philip Pullella Thu Oct 11, 8:33 PM ET

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Knights Templar, the medieval Christian military order accused of heresy and sexual misconduct, will soon be partly rehabilitated when the Vatican publishes trial documents it had closely guarded for 700 years.

A reproduction of the minutes of trials against the Templars, "'Processus Contra Templarios -- Papal Inquiry into the Trial of the Templars'" is a massive work and much more than a book -- with a 5,900 euros (4,125 pounds) price tag.

"This is a milestone because it is the first time that these documents are being released by the Vatican, which gives a stamp of authority to the entire project," said Professor Barbara Frale, a medievalist at the Vatican's Secret Archives.

"Nothing before this offered scholars original documents of the trials of the Templars," she told Reuters in a telephone interview ahead of the official presentation of the work on October 25.

The epic comes in a soft leather case that includes a large-format book including scholarly commentary, reproductions of original parchments in Latin, and -- to tantalise Templar buffs -- replicas of the wax seals used by 14th-century inquisitors.

Reuters was given an advance preview of the work, of which only 799 numbered copies have been made.

One parchment measuring about half a metre wide by some two metres long is so detailed that it includes reproductions of stains and imperfections seen on the originals.

Pope Benedict will be given the first set of the work, published by the Vatican Secret Archives in collaboration with Italy's Scrinium cultural foundation, which acted as curator and will have exclusive world distribution rights.

The Templars, whose full name was "Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon", were founded in 1119 by knights sworn to protecting Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land after the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099.

They amassed enormous wealth and helped finance wars of some European monarchs. Legends of their hidden treasures, secret rituals and power have figured over the years in films and bestsellers such as "The Da Vinci Code".

The Knights have also been portrayed as guardians of the legendary Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper before his crucifixion.

From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071012/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_vatican_templars

21st Century Knight, 'the Jedi' works for good and dosn't give a shit about PC.

Vatican Responds to Muslims' Letter
Fri, Oct 19, 2007 at 1:04:11 pm PST

A top Vatican official has replied to that Muslim letter that many see as a veiled threat, by making some pointed comments about the one-sided “peace” they’re offering: Cardinal signals firm Vatican stance with Muslims.

More Here: http://littlegreenfootballs.com

I always say that if Mohammedans really want Peace, we can have peace. As soon as they allow the cornerstone to the first synagogue to be laid next to the First baptist Church of Mecca, we can consider them a Religion of Peace.

Until then, Mosques should not be allowed in civilized lands.

lgf