Are Freemasons Related to the Knights Templar?

There is no historical connection between the Templars and the Freemasons. These entities are centuries apart and share no common foundation. It is true that the accusations against the Templars outlined in the decrees of the Ecumenical Council of Vienne sound a lot like some the accusations commonly made against the Masons, but surely the Masons are not interested in that connection.

What the Freemasons want to do is to identify with those whom they hold were mistreated by the Catholic Church and to spread teachings against the integrity and authority of the Church, and that is why they try to co-opt the Templar name.

Read more: What Does the Church Say about Freemasonry?