The governing council of the Order of Malta accepted the resignation of the former Grand Master last weekend – despite a “handful” of its 10 members dissenting from the decision.
The Pope, in a letter to Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein, lieutenant ad interim of the order, said members of the order could better dedicate themselves to their “noble and proven mission” by “putting aside personal interests and dangerous ambitions”.
“The witness of an authentic Christian life makes accompanying the sick more accepted and effective, and charity towards the poor and vulnerable people of society more fraternal,” the Pope wrote. The Knights have 13,500 members, as well as 80,000 volunteers and 25,000 medical professionals providing aid in 120 countries.
Fra’ Matthew Festing offered his resignation at the behest of the Pope, who had established a commission to investigate his removal of the order’s grand chancellor. Fra’ Festing refused to cooperate with the investigation and insisted the move was a sovereign act outside Vatican jurisdiction.
Pope Francis said he would appoint a special delegate who, in collaboration with Fra’ von Rumerstein, would “specifically take care of the spiritual and moral renewal of the order”, especially the 50 or so members who have taken religious vows.
The Pope’s letter did not clarify how the delegate’s responsibilities would intersect with those of the patron of the order, Cardinal Raymond Burke, whose role is to promote its “spiritual interests” and its relationship with the Holy See.
A statement from the council expressed gratitude to Fra’ Festing for his work.
Wall with Mexico ‘weakens’ the US, say Catholic groups
Catholic groups in the United States have expressed concerns about President Donald Trump’s authorisation for a wall to be built along the US-Mexico border.
Mr Trump also directed John F Kelly, secretary of homeland security, to look at how federal funding streams can be cut for cities and states that harbour illegal immigrants.
Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange, California, said the actions “greatly challenge and weaken the United States’ history and core value of offering refuge to the persecuted.
“Too many of these executive orders veer far from our national ideals, presuming guilt over innocence, and risk depriving desperate people of due process rights and human dignity,” he said.
Sister Donna Markham, president of Catholic Charities USA, said: “We can protect our citizens and, at the same time, we can welcome newcomers. Our commitment to care for those who are most vulnerable resides at the core of our faith.”
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of Network, a Catholic social justice lobbying group, called the presidential orders “antithetical to our faith”.
Pope prays for the Middle East
The Pope has prayed for an end to the daily violence waged by extremists in the Middle East.
Speaking to representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, which have large communities in Syria, Iraq and throughout the Middle East, he said: “Your sufferings are our sufferings. I join you in praying for an end to the conflict and for God’s closeness to those who have endured so much.”
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