Not counting the group of Freemasons known as The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, the remaining groups of Templar organisations fall squarely into one of two camps: those who are sanctioned by  the Grand Master and recognise him as the Grand Master of the Knights Templar ... and those who do not.  Of the groups that are not recognised by the Grand Master Count de Sousa Fontes, several are made of groups of individuals who were, at one time, a part of our Order and all swore an allegiance to the Grand Master.  Unfortunately, not true to their oath, they denounced the Grand Master and split off to form their own "Templar" Orders in order to further their private agendas. Vanity and power have always been a constant internal enemy of chivalric orders, and our Order has not been immune to this type of conceit and abuse.  This group of "Templars" refers to us as the "Regency" or "Loyalist" Templars.  We commonly refer to them as the "Pretenders." Mostly comprised of retired American military officers, this group has its origins from a meeting in Austria called by those who renounced the Grand Master.  Accordingly, this groups true lineage runs back to that meeting in 1995, when they renounced the Grand Master and held "democratic elections" to determine a new Grand Master.

To add to the confusion, which last to this day, this group assumed the exact name and, until recently, assumed the use of the "double bar" cross which is unique to our Order.  They have many  financial resources that, instead of using for charity, they brought to bear against the Grand Master.  In their efforts to rob the Order of its identity, they brought a law suit against the Grand Master in federal court in America. Unable to match the seemingly endless barrage of legal manoeuvres by this predominantly American group, the Grand Master decided not to waste precious resources of the Order in defence of this American lawsuit.  Accordingly a judgement was entered against the Order, preventing it from using its own regalia or trademarks in the United States.

Recently, the Pretender group has adopted a different style of cross, although they continue to use our name.  They have also changed their "history" to reflect that they claim no continuity with the ancient Order. While these are steps in the right direction, we anxiously await the day when the Pretender group ceases to use our name. They now claim they seek "unity" with other Templar groups and want to establish ecumenical Christian dialogue with other charitable groups.  Only time will tell if their actions will match their words.

Although we are saddened that they have left our Order, we pray for this self-styled "pretender" group, that they might be successful and come to fulfil the Templar ideals in their own time and in their own way. Having said that, we are very proud of who we are and what we represent. Being quite firm in our beliefs, and dedicated to our Order, we have no problem providing you with links to these other organisations who call themselves Templars.  Some of the more prevalent ones are provided on our links page.

Lastly, there are other Templar groups who are non-Masonic and who are not recognised by the Grand Master and who were never under the authority of the Grand Master and who do not claim any historical continuity of any kind with the ancient order. Basically stated, they have formed a social organisation and just call themselves Templars.  If you go to a Templar website where you see pompous and arrogant fools with all types of ribbons, medals, and neck crosses; you will know they are not affiliated with us.

“You will know the tree by the fruit that it bears.”

[Home] [ Decree] [ Defined] [ "Others"] [ Priory] [ Admissions] [ Priory News] [ Calendar] Contacts]