Why Were The Knights Templar Accused Of Being Heretics And Then Tortured And Executed By The Catholic Church?

Question

I don't know much about the Knights Templar. What I do know is that they were a group of men who stood to protect the Church in the crusades. What happened that they were not trusted anymore by the Church and were named as heretics?

*The Pope recently apologized on the Church's behalf to the Templar admitting it was a huge wrong-doing.

Answer 1

The Templars had become wealthy and powerful much to the anger, fear and jealousy of the French King, aka one of the most powerful man in Europe at the time. Much like during the Jew burnings (also condemned by the pope), a phony crime was fabricated and pinned on the victims in order to justify taking their property. It turns out that the Pope at the actually wanted to only suppress the Templars; which is nothing like what the French actually did to the order.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0706116.htm

Answer 2

they were not executed by the catholic church. They were executed by the King of France- who was very heavily in debt to the Templars and got rid of them- and the debt.

The Templars at that time had lost their original aim - they were no longer protecting pilgrims or even fighting against the muslim invasions (e.g the Knights of St John (Maltese) still fought on). They simply acted as a huge bank, got fat on the priviledges given to the church (eg tax free status) but were in reality a bank. Too much a tempting target.
Moreover the Order was also fiercely independent which did not lie well with the church authorities. So many were interested in bringigng them down a bit, but Philippe le Beau of france anihilated them and used the power of the state to force the church to back his call - once the french branch was destroyed all the other branches had to go so that no one would be left to call the french king a liar and a thief

As usual- its all about the money

Answer 3

In the days of the Inquisition you were guilty until proved innocent.

They were different from the other orders in the RCC, and difference makes for envy and/or strife.

All it took to be brought up on charges of heresy were a few people talking to the right men. Next thing you know, you're in a dungeon on the rack.
Generally, once the Inquisition got you, you would have no choice but to confess being guilty (whether you were or not).

Probably someone got jealous of the Templars and turned them over to the Inquisition, and that was it.

Answer 4

It was the King of France who eventually succeeded in turning the Pope loose on the Templars. He resented their success and independance from his authority. He coveted their wealth. It did not help the Templars that they had been forced out of the Holy Land and had not re-invented a new mission for themselves despite their ostantatious wealth. In those days it was not wise to parade wealth and arrogance in front of monarchs. You were liable to lose it , plus your head, especially in France and England.

Answer 5

It was the king of France, Philip, the responsible of that. It was NOT the Catholic Church.

People believe that the Spanish inquisition burnt half Europe, just for fun. Absolutely not !

It appeared mostly because the kings were burning their political enemies under accusation of religious issues.

The inquisition, then, set the rules for religious accusations, not just the king's whim. And they lacked the authority to burn anyone. It was the king's justice that determined the punishment

Politics, as usual

Answer 6

The pope at the time felt they were growing too powerful and caved from other pressures.

If you want to know a good history, read Born in Blood. Great book.

Also if you google the Templars, you will find loads of info.

Answer 7

Politics. They were more popular than the Popes church, and refused certain papal decries. They were quickly gaining more power than the Pope and the church countered that power by declaring them heretics against the church.