APOLOGIZE?

Knights Templar bury the hatchet with Rome.: Whatever next? An apology to Islam, perhaps (Hilary Clarke, 29 June 2003, Sunday Herald)

Multi Templi Scotia, the Scottish branch of the order, now includes people of all denominations. James Ritchie, Grand Herald of the order, said he would welcome both improved relations with the Catholic Church and an apology to the Islamic world for the Crusades. 'I would be in favour of anything that gives us greater understanding of different religions and people,' he said.

Any attempt to issue an official apology for the crusades will, however, be fraught with political difficulties, not least because of the different beliefs of members of the order in different countries.

The grand commander of the US order, James Carey, was a rear-admiral in the US Navy during the first Gulf war. He served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George Bush, father of the present President Bush, and has been an outspoken supporter of the current administration in this year's war against Iraq.

How about we apologize for trying to retrieve the Holy Lands if they apologize for taking them? Posted by Orrin Judd at June 29, 2003 11:24 AM