Order of Malta Archives

Knights of Malta vote for new leader after papal dispute
- Associated Press, Vatican
- April 29, 2017
The Knights of Malta have elected Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre with the title of lieutenant of the grand master. He most recently has been the grand prior in charge of the order’s Rome chapter. The election was necessary after the former Grand Master of the order, Fra’ Matthew Festing was forced to resign after a dispute with Pope Francis over the attempted ouster of an official of the order.
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Pope meets knights of Malta before order’s contested election
- Religion News Service, Vatican
- April 28, 2017
Just a few days before the Knights of Malta convene to elect a new leader, the former head of the order has returned to Rome defying the Vatican’s wishes. The former Grand Master, Matthew Festing, did not say if he would vote for himself, though in a recent plot twist the order confirmed that the new leader would only be temporary.
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Crisis and reform: A talk with the Order of Malta’s chancellor
- Catholic News Agency, Global Church
- March 30, 2017
In an interview, the Grand Chancellor of the historic Order of Malta, Albrecht von Boeselager, talks about the order’s crisis, the path going forward, the pope’s plan for reform and what is being done to help migrants, refugees and those displaced by war and poverty.
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Pope Francis: ‘I do not see Cardinal Burke as an enemy’

March 8, 2017

In a new interview with a German newspaper, Pope Francis denies seeing conservative American Cardinal Raymond Burke as an “enemy,” but does take a gentle swipe at “fundamentalist Catholics,” saying their self-assurance reminds him of St. Peter just before he denied knowing Jesus.

Papal trip less important than ‘facts on the ground,’ Middle East Christian leader says

Speaking about the situation of Christians in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III Younan acknowledged that if he had children, he too would be trying to flee the region, despite the efforts being expended by the Catholic Church, which include guaranteeing that refugees have a roof over their heads and not just a tent.

Knights of Malta say they’ll refocus on helping migrants, refugees

Leaders of the Knights of Malta said on Thursday that a recent power struggle involving Pope Francis and the Vatican took its toll, including on fundraising, but now they’re determined to shift the focus back to their humanitarian mission, especially with immigrants and refugees.