Omne Datum Optimum
Encyclopedia
Omne Datum Optimum was a Papal Bull
issued by Pope Innocent II
in 1139 that initially endorsed the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Knights Templar
), in which the Templar Rule was officially approved, and papal
protection given. Additionally, Omne Datum Optimum promised all spoils from Muslim
conquest to the Order, and made the Order exempt from tithes and taxes:
Although Omne Datum Optimum was an unusual bull in and of itself, it was followed by Pope Celestine II
's Milites Templi
in 1144 and Pope Eugene III
's Militia Dei
in 1145, which together gave the Templars an extraordinary range of rights and privileges. Among other things, the Order was permitted to build its own churches, bury their dead on those church grounds and collect taxes on Templar properties once a year. The unique cemeteries constructed by the Templars proved to be extremely controversial.
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
issued by Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II , born Gregorio Papareschi, was pope from 1130 to 1143, and was probably one of the clergy in personal attendance on the antipope Clement III .-Early years:...
in 1139 that initially endorsed the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
), in which the Templar Rule was officially approved, and papal
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
protection given. Additionally, Omne Datum Optimum promised all spoils from Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
conquest to the Order, and made the Order exempt from tithes and taxes:
"As for the things that you will receive from the spoils, you can confidently put them to your own use, and we prohibit that you be coerced against your will to give anyone a portion of these."
Although Omne Datum Optimum was an unusual bull in and of itself, it was followed by Pope Celestine II
Pope Celestine II
Pope Celestine II , born Guido di Castello, was pope from 1143 to 1144.-Early life:Guido di Castello, possibly the son of a local noble, Niccolo di Castello, was born either in Città di Castello, situated in Paterna Santa Felicita upon the Apennines, or at Macerata in the March of Ancona.Guido had...
's Milites Templi
Milites Templi
Milites Templi is a papal bull issued by Pope Celestine II in 1144 that ordered the clergy to protect the Knights Templar and encouraged the faithful to contribute to their cause...
in 1144 and Pope Eugene III
Pope Eugene III
Pope Blessed Eugene III , born Bernardo da Pisa, was Pope from 1145 to 1153. He was the first Cistercian to become Pope.-Early life:...
's Militia Dei
Militia Dei
Militia Dei is a Papal bull issued by Pope Eugene III in 1145 that consolidated the Knights Templar's independence of the local clerical hierarchy by giving the Order the right to take tithes and burial fees and to bury their dead in their own cemeteries...
in 1145, which together gave the Templars an extraordinary range of rights and privileges. Among other things, the Order was permitted to build its own churches, bury their dead on those church grounds and collect taxes on Templar properties once a year. The unique cemeteries constructed by the Templars proved to be extremely controversial.