28th April
2007, At the Historic Colonial City of Williamsburg, VA, USA, the recently
formed Commandery of St Clair, Scottish Knights Templar, achieved
Membership of the International Knights Templar Order, Ordo Supremus
Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH).
OSMTH is a Christian Chivalric Order, registered
as a Non Governmental Organisation in Switzerland and has been recognised
by the United Nations with Special Consultative Status. Its yearly
conference was held over the last few days in April with over 500 Knights
and Dames from all over the world in attendance.
Secretary of the Knights Templar in Scotland,
Chevalier Paul McGowan GCTJ, who resides in the Kingdom of Fife, was in
attendance throughout the largest Knight Templar convention in the last
200 years. “This event has been historical in so many levels” Chev McGowan
noted. “Being admitted to the International Order has taken a number of
years of hard work and dedication. With the increase of United Nations
delegations and duties we are looking forward to supporting the work of
the International Knights Templar Order, OSMTH”. He continued “During the
Grand Convent the Pakistani Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Mr.
Mahmud Ali Durrani, was introduced as a Member of the Order of Merit and
the Right Reverend Dr Bishop Riah Abu Ei-Assal, from Jerusalem, was
introduced to the Chaplain Corps of the Order. These are significant
additions to the International Order that reflects the high standards of
the Order and its Advocacy, Humanitarian and International Peace efforts.”
Colonial Williamsburg itself has a strong
historical background. Being one of the first places that the English
Colonised in America and being the scene for a number of battles during
the wars of the American Revolution. Queen Elizabeth will be in attendance
later on this week for the celebration of the 400 years of its
colonisation by the English.
As an added cause for celebration, Chev McGowan
was promoted to the highest rank of the Order, that of Grand Cross of the
Temple of Jerusalem (GCTJ) during the Grand Convent held in Bruton Parish
Church, Williamsburg in front of over 380 Knights and Dames. Chev McGowan
added “I am very grateful that our sponsor Order, the Grand Priory of
France, decided to surprise me with this promotion to the highest level
possible at this Convent”. He gave thanks to the Immediate Past Grand
Prior of France, Dr Marcel De Picciotto, who has supported the application
of the Scottish Knights Templar Order in a scene reminiscent of the Auld
Alliance.
Chev Picciotto told us “We are Proud to be the
Sponsor Order for the Scottish Knights Templar. The fraternal relationship
between France and Scotland remains just as strong as it was in the 13th
Century”.
The Grand Master of the International Knights
Templar is USN Rear Admiral (Retired) James J Carey GCTJ. He told us “We
are very proud to have a Professional and Committed Order join us from
Scotland. Scotland has been very important in the history of the Knights
Templar and I am sure that their continued growth and expansion in
Scotland will be carried out with our main objectives in mind, that of:
1. Supporting the Holy Lands and Christians at
Risk.
2. Building bridges between all Christian faiths
through the Senior Clergy and reaching out to assist all the sons of
Abraham.
3. Advocacy and Humanitarian Support through the
local, national bodies and our work with the United Nations.”
When Chev McGowan was asked about the secret
ceremonies and hidden treasures that seem to follow Knights Templar
tradition around, he laughed. “We are an Order of Christian Knights and
Dames with no secrets. Our ceremonies are held in the public domain. We
admit both male and female Christians who want to make a difference to the
world that we live in. Our hidden treasures are within ourselves and are
not of a material world!”
The Scottish Order meets regularly at Rosslyn
Chapel, which it sees as its Spiritual home in Scotland.
When questioned about the “Da Vinci Code”, Chev
McGowan replied “There are a number of misconceptions about the Knights
Templar. Our website at
www.scottishknightstemplar.org tries to dismiss the myths and allows
the public at large to apply for membership. Emails should be sent to:
secretary@scottishknightstemplar.org . We welcome applications from
serious and committed Christians that wish to assist us in our
objectives.”
He continued, “Our latest project is to secure
over two hundred thousand Euros for the development and improvement of
over 30 Polish Orphanages. We are meeting with Senior Polish Officials in
the next fortnight to drive this project along”.
Chev McGowan thanked the Members of the
International Order for voting for Scotland to be admitted. The 13 voting
countries that were present, included Austria, Canada, England and Wales,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, NATO, Norway, Serbia and
the USA who, collectively, have over 5000 members worldwide. Further
information on the International Order can be found at
www.osmth.org.