
Pope Francis Names Cardinal Ghirlanda to Succeed Cardinal Burke as Order of Malta Patron
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is both a lay religious order of the Catholic Church and a sovereign state subject to international law.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is both a lay religious order of the Catholic Church and a sovereign state subject to international law.
Fra' Dunlap was elected by an absolute majority from among three candidates, according to the order.
Pope Francis also sent a written message to the Order of Malta on Jan. 25 at the opening of the extraordinary chapter general in which he referred to the group’s challenges during the last few years’ reform process.
The mothers and babies of Bethlehem are given the best care and love possible at Christmastime — and all year.
Fra’ John Dunlap said Pope Francis’ Sept. 3 decree will help the ancient order improve formation, build communities, and understand better its mission of faithfully serving the poor.
Pope Francis also convoked an Extraordinary General Chapter for Jan. 25, 2023, the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.
Some actions of the Pope have already questioned the sovereignty of the Order.
Cardinal Tomasi’s move is the last of a series that have jeopardized the Order of Malta’s own sovereignty.
The Pope offered his condolences in a telegram to Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, the Pope’s special delegate to the Order of Malta.
The order is unique in that, while it has no territory, it is a sovereign entity under international law – with its own passports, diplomatic relationships, and permanent observer status at the United Nations.
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