Source: “The Knights templar And Scotland”, By Robert Ferguson, The History Press, Brimscombe Port Stroud, Gloucestershire, 2011.
11. The Modern Scottish Knights Templar.mp4
This topic delves into the complex and often contentious landscape of Modern Scottish Knights Templar organizations, emphasizing that their current focus has shifted significantly from historical warfare to politics and "empire building." It highlights a major 1995-96 schism within the Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH), which resulted in two competing factions, one led by Count de Sousa Fontes and another by new leadership, both claiming legitimate lineage from the original Templars. The text then provides a "snapshot" of various autonomous Scottish Templar groups, such as the Grand Priory of Scotland and the Militi Templi Scotia, detailing their histories, charitable endeavors, and often strained relationships with each other and the international OSMTH factions, often stemming from disputes over legitimacy and historical lineage. Notably, some Scottish orders claim to possess the original Stone of Scone, adding another layer of unique historical assertion.
Topic 1: Overview of Modern Scottish Knights Templar The modern discussion of Templars in Scotland no longer revolves around the lifestyle and warfare of the 13th and 14th centuries. Instead, the focus for major Templar Orders, primarily located in Europe and the United States, is unfortunately on politics and "empire building." While the political maneuvering of these larger European and U.S. Templar groups influences the relationships and history of Scottish Templar Orders, it does not directly affect their internal operations. Scotland hosts numerous Templar Orders today, some of which are long-established, while others appear and disappear quickly. They vary in visibility and political aggressiveness; some are passive and focused on good works, while others actively seek recognition.
Topic 2: The Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH) Schism Currently, there are two distinct organizations known as the Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH). One is headquartered in Portugal, while the other's location rotates every three to six years with the election of a new grand commander, as the Grand Master role is now ceremonial. This division arose from a significant schism within the OSMTH in 1995-96, leading to at least two organizations each claiming to be the legitimate continuation of the original Order that existed after Jacques de Molay's death. This controversy originated from a "coup" within the OSMTH.
Topic 3: The Charter of Transmission and Templar Succession The historical succession of the Templar Order, as claimed by some modern organizations, traces back to Jacques de Molay. It is believed that before his death, Molay transferred the office of Grand Master to his Seneschal, Johannes Marcus Larmenius. Around 1324, Larmenius is said to have transferred the office to Franciscus Theobaklus through a document known as the Charter of Transmission or the Charter of Larmenius. This charter, approved by the Grand Council, outlined the process for transmitting the office of Grand Master to the next ranking Templar. These practices were generally followed by the international Templar Order until 1960.
Topic 4: The Role of the Sousa Fontes Family in Templar Leadership The events leading to the 1990s schism began after 1935, when Emile Clement Joseph Isaac Vandenberg, KGC of Belgium, served as the prince regent and guardian of the Order, responsible for its records and historical documents. During World War II, Vandenberg moved the Templar offices and archives to Portugal for safety, inadvertently placing them with Antonio Campbell Pinto de Sousa Fontes, GC. After the war, Count de Sousa Fontes refused to return the documents. Following Vandenberg's death, no one effectively challenged the count, allowing him to become regent of the OSMTH by magisterial decree. Upon his death in 1960, Count de Sousa Fontes bequeathed the regency to his son, Fernando Campello Pinto Pereiro de Sousa Fontes, which violated the Charter of Larmenius, though it complied with Portuguese law. This son was seen as lacking the necessary leadership qualities, particularly in managing the growing Templar movement in Scotland and the United States.
Topic 5: The Sovereign Military Order of The Temple of Jerusalem, Inc. (SMOTJ, Inc.) The conflict between the Templars in the United States and Fernando Campello Pinto Pereiro de Sousa Fontes escalated, coming to a head in 1995. The Sovereign Military Order of The Temple of Jerusalem, Inc. (SMOTJ, Inc.), which was the Templar Priory in the United States, led a series of OSMTH conclaves in Europe. Joined by several European priories and commanderies, SMOTJ, Inc. voted to withdraw recognition of Count de Sousa Fontes as their regent or Grand Master. They found that he had violated numerous provisions of the original Templar Rule and effectively expelled him. Furthermore, SMOTJ, Inc. used a federal court civil lawsuit claiming trademark infringement to prevent Count de Sousa Fontes from any involvement in the United States. The new OSMTH leadership that emerged from this action claims to be the true successor to the Templar line traceable back to Jacques de Molay.
Topic 6: The Ongoing Controversy and Dual Claims to Grand Mastership The situation following the 1995-96 schism remains controversial, with the events labeled by some as a "schismatic coup" led by SMOTJ, Inc. and dissidents in Britain, Germany, and other European countries. Despite this, Count de Sousa Fontes continues to lead numerous successful priories globally. While history may favor Count de Sousa Fontes' lineage, the "results and achievements" of the OSMTH leadership that expelled him are highlighted, noting its presence in over twenty countries and its recognition by the United Nations with special consultative status, performing significant humanitarian and charitable work worldwide. As Count de Sousa Fontes was Grand Master before 1996, there are now at least two Templar organizations with credible claims to the office of Grand Master.
Topic 7: The Fundamental Debate on Templar Continuation A significant dispute among all Templar organizations globally, including those in Scotland, is whether today's organizations can genuinely trace their origins back to the original Templars. There are two main perspectives: one argues for the continuous existence of the Templars, tracing a line of Grand Masters back to Jacques de Molay. The other aligns with Pope Clement V's papal bull Vox in excelso of March 22, 1312, which "abolished the existence of the Order by 'inviolable and perpetual decree'." There is also debate about whether the Order's origin traces through the Larmenius line to the OSMTH, or through a Scottish lineage from Templars present during the Scottish Templar inquisition and the Battle of Bannockburn. The recent OSMTH coup further complicates this with two Grand Masters: Count de Sousa Fontes in Portugal and Rear Admiral James J. Carey for the new leadership. This is particularly important in Scotland due to minimal direct evidence of a continued Templar presence after 1314.
Topic 8: The Grand Priory of Scotland (Formation and Autonomy) The Grand Priory of Scotland began its creation in 1962 by Baron Anton Leuprecht, who was the Mondial Chief (coordinator) for all Autonomous Grand Priories worldwide on behalf of Count de Sousa Fontes. It became active in January 1972 with the appointment of Francis Andrew Sherry as Grand Prior, an appointment confirmed by Baron Leuprecht. This Grand Priory was, and remains, autonomous. Its association as an Associate of the OSMTH under Count de Sousa Fontes was reaffirmed in 1978 by Baron Leuprecht, who formally stated its charter was autonomous. After the 1995-96 schism, it initially became an Associated Autonomous Priory with the new OSMTH but later found it could not comply with the new leadership's demands and reverted to being a fully autonomous priory.
Topic 9: Charitable and Cultural Activities of the Grand Priory of Scotland For a period after 1972, the Grand Priory of Scotland was an active and visible Scottish priory, undertaking a significant amount of charitable work. It contributed to the Highland and Island Eventide Homes for Elderly Sects and supported the establishment of a Gaelic library in Skye at the Gaelic College (Sabbal Mor Ostaig). The Order also took steps to protect buildings and places of historical and architectural importance in Scotland, often using these sites for Templar ceremonies. Its published objectives included welfare and charity work, protecting Scotland's national culture, perpetuating chivalric traditions, patronizing historical, heraldic, and genealogical studies, and supporting the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and places.