Following the 700th anniversary of the persecution of the original mediaeval Templar Order, the International Grand Commander, Patrick Rea, issued a press release concerning the Order's new mission and direction for the coming years.


NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: October 22, 2007
Contact Person: Patrick Rea (708) 532-2647
Internet Address: [email protected]

Modern Knights Templar International (OSMTH) issue their 21st Century Vision and Mission Statement.

“Aiding Humanity on the Pilgrimage through Life” - The Brussels Declaration, Chicago, Il. USA

The only association of modern Templars that is recognized by the United Nations, OSMTH - Knights Templar International, met in Brussels, Belgium, concluding on October 13th, 2007 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the arrest of the medieval Templars.

During their meeting, the thirteen member Grand Priories representing over twenty nations unanimously agreed upon the Brussels Declaration, setting out the vision, commitment and humanitarian action policy of today’s Templars. In existence since 1804, the modern Templar Order has not made a declaration of this kind since Paris in 1841.

Brigadier General Patrick Rea, chairman of the meeting said: “With public interest in Templars higher than ever, and with increasing calls on our members’ time, talents and generosity by the United Nations and other international civil society organizations with which we cooperate, the international council of OSMTH - Knights Templar International felt it was time to give a clear explanation of who we are and what we do.”

OSMTH - Knights Templar International has over 5,000 members around the globe. In 2006/07, the Templar Order provided over 100 delegates to United Nations meetings and conferences in New York, Geneva, Vienna and at UN conference centers in the Middle East, Africa and South America. Through other memberships to include the International Peace Bureau the Templars voiced their support for peace, international understanding and economic progress for all the peoples of the world. Over the past ten years these modern Templars have funded over $5 million USD or 3.4 million euros for charitable causes from an emergency medical clinic in Thailand following a tsunami to a current year around medical and public health teaching facility in the Cameroon.

(NB: The document 'OSMTH - BRUSSELS DECLARATION' (.pdf) can be read HERE)