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THE NEW POPE has reportedly made inquiries into a secret society in Hertford, the Knights Templar.
He is thought to have contacted a top Hertfordshire historian and a records officer at County Hall in Hertford.
The inquiries follow the Templars’ demand last December for a papal apology by 2007 for their persecution by the Vatican almost 700 years ago.
The demand – which the Vatican was said to be ‘seriously considering’ – made international headlines after it was exclusively revealed by the Mercury. The news also appeared in national newspapers, including The Times, The Independent, and The Guardian.
Now we have received new information that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger made the calls prior to his election as Pope Benedict XVI earlier this month.
A source told the Mercury that the German cardinal contacted local history expert Dr Alan Thompson at the University of Hertfordshire. The anonymous source also pointed out that the Pope’s homeland, Bavaria, where he became a memeber of Hitler Youth, is also the homeland of a mysterious secret society, the Illuminati.
After we asked him to confirm the claim, Dr Thompson said: “I was contacted some time ago by a previous cardinal ... but I don't want to talk any more about it.”
Tim Acheson, a modern-day Templar, commented: “The professor may not want to give anything away, but there is an important clue in his reply. The ‘previous cardinal’ can only refer to one man – Ratzinger.”
In Dan Brown’s best-selling novel, Angels and Demons, the Illuminati takes revenge on the Vatican. Mr Acheson speculated, “Ratzinger is on record suggesting that Freemasonry was set up to persecute Christianity. Perhaps it is the revenge of the Templars that the Church fears, since the origin of Freemasonry is rooted in the persecution of the Templars by the Church.”
Before he became Pope, Cardinal Ratzinger led the Vatican committee once known as the ‘Inquisition’. Among its roles is to consider apologies to groups persecuted by the church.
Such groups include the Knights Templar, a secretive Order of warrior monks who were persecuted by King Phillip IV of France and Pope Clement V from October 13, 1307.
The Mercury’s source also claimed that the cardinal contacted Herts County Council's environmental records officer, Alison Tinneswood.
Ms Tinneswood would not comment this week and, seeking refuge in the “Data Protection Act”, a Herts County. Council spokesman refused to confirm or deny that a member of staff had been contacted by the Vatican.
A press officer for the Holy See pledged to look into the matter.
Mr Acheson observes an ironic historical connection between the Templars and the name of the new Pope.
He added, cryptically: “The pontiff chose Benedict as his papal title, a name with special significance for the Knights Templar. The Rule of the Templars, which is like a code of conduct for the Order, was originally known as the Rule of Benedict.”
