Sept. 3 judgement advances Pope Francis’ reform of the Order of Malta

The four High Offices of the Order of Malta have had their titles revoked by Pope Francis, who has also instituted a temporary administration and scheduled an extraordinary general chapter for January 2023.

The Pope Francis-ordered reform of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta has advanced with the Sept. 3 decision.

The new constitutional charter and rules for the order were also approved by the pope along with the new directives. The modifications become effective right away.

In the preface of the decree, Francis said, “After listening to and conversing with many representatives of the Order, the moment has come to finish the renovation process that has been launched, in conformity to the original charism.”

He said that “many steps have been made, but just as many obstructions and challenges met along the road” throughout the Order of Malta’s reform.

Francis’ proclamation transfers the High Offices titles held by Organization of Malta members to other members and reconstitutes the Sovereign Council, which governs the order.

He added nine more new Sovereign Council members to these four, creating a temporary administration.

Four High Offices are held by members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller, and Receiver of the Common Treasure.

After the unexpected passing of his predecessor Fra’ Marco Luzzago, Pope Francis nominated Fra’ John Dunlap as the Lieutenant Grand Master of the Order of Malta, circumventing the elected process.

Additionally, Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary General Chapter to be held on January 25, 2023, the day of Saint Paul’s Conversion.

Francis said that the gathering would follow the new rules the next year and would be organised by his special envoy Cardinal Silvano Tomasi and Lieutenant Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap with help from the temporary Sovereign Council.

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign state governed by international law as well as a secular religious organisation of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis issued revisions to the order’s constitution and monastic life in 2017.

The sovereignty of the Order of Malta has been questioned during the reform process due to certain of Pope Francis’ initiatives.

Following a meeting with a delegation from the Order of Malta at the Vatican on September 3, Pope Francis issued the order.

The directive comes after significant meetings of the order that were conducted in August.