(Vatican Radio) The Sovereign Order of Malta’s Sovereign Council on Saturday accepted the resignation of Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing.
A press release says that Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein assumes the office of Lieutenant ad interim, and Albrecht Boeselager resumes his office as Grand Chancellor
Please find the Sovereign Order of Malta’s official press release below:
The Sovereign Council, the government of the Sovereign Order of Malta, met this
afternoon in the Magistral Palace in Rome. On the agenda was the resignation from
Office of Grand Master presented by Fra’ Matthew Festing, in accordance with article
16 of the Constitution of the Order of Malta. The Sovereign Council accepted his resignation
from office.
Conforming to the Constitution, the Pope has been notified of the resignation of Fra'
Matthew Festing, which will be communicated to the 106 Heads of State with whom the
Order has diplomatic relations.
In accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution, the Grand Commander, Fra' Ludwig
Hoffmann von Rumerstein, has assumed the office of Lieutenant ad interim and will
remain the Order of Malta’s head until the election of the successor of the Grand
Master.
The Sovereign Council thanked Fra' Matthew Festing for his great commitment during
his nine years in office. Subsequently, the Sovereign Council presided over by the
Lieutenant ad interim annulled the decrees establishing the disciplinary procedures
against Albrecht Boeselager and the suspension of his membership in the Order. Albrecht
Boeselager resumes his office as Grand Chancellor immediately.
In a letter sent yesterday, 27 January 2017, to Fra’ Ludwig Hoffman von Rumerstein
and the members of the Sovereign Council, Pope Francis reaffirmed the special relationship
between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Apostolic See.
The Pope affirmed that the Lieutenant ad interim assumes responsibility over the Order’s
government, in particular regarding relationships with other States. Pope Francis
noted precisely that his Special Delegate will be operating on “the spiritual renewal
of the Order, specifically of pag. 2 its professed members.”
The Sovereign Order of Malta ensures its full collaboration with the Special Delegate
whom the Holy Father intends to appoint. The Sovereign Order of Malta is most grateful
to Pope Francis and the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin for their interest
in and care for the Order. The Order appreciates that the Holy Father’s decisions
were all carefully taken with regard to and respect for the Order, with a determination
to strengthen its sovereignty.
The Lieutenant ad interim together with the Sovereign Council will soon convoke the
Council Complete of State for the election of the successor of the Grand Master, according
to Art. 23 of the Constitution.
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