The Order of Malta has suspended Dictator Pope author Henry Sire for allegedly breaching its constitution.
The Catholic Herald understands that the Order notified Mr Sire of his suspension last Wednesday, two days after he was revealed to be the mysterious author.
Sire’s identity was confirmed on Monday of last week when Regnery Publishing accidentally posted his name in an online description of the book. He had originally self-published the work under the pseudonym Marcantonio Colonna, a commander at the Battle of Lepanto.
He tweeted on Monday: “As the French say, l’heure est arrivée. Sometimes a surprise coming-out party is best …
“I tip my hat to the great Admiral Colonna, whose name I’ve tried to honour,” he added.
The Dictator Pope caused a considerable stir when it appeared in electronic format in December. It tells the story of Francis’s pontificate, as well as his life before becoming Pope, drawing on a wide range of material including anonymous sources within the Vatican.
In a statement, the Order of Malta disassociated itself from the book, describing it as a “vile attack” on Pope Francis.
“Following the press articles reporting the name of the author of the book The Dictator Pope, the Grand Magistry of the Order of Malta has taken the decision to suspend Henry Sire, author of the book and member of the Order of Malta,” the statement said. “The provisional suspension from membership has immediate effect and an investigation is being launched.”
Mr Sire immediately claimed that his suspension from the Order of Malta was illegal under the order’s own rules.
As a Knight who belongs to no particular priory, his superior is the Grand Commander, Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein.
But Mr Sire said the process had been initiated by the Grand Chancellor, Albrecht von Boeselager, “with the consent of the lieutenant of the order. The laws of the order stipulate that such a proceeding has to be initiated by my superior, who is the Grand Commander, and he has not been involved. Moreover, the superior has to initiate the process without communicating with the Grand Chancellor. These requirements have been comprehensively ignored.”
A spokeswoman for the Order of Malta told the Catholic Herald that the Grand Commander had indeed been involved. “The disciplinary procedure was agreed together with the Grand Commander who is Henry Sire’s religious superior,” the spokeswoman said. “A motu proprio decree was issued by the Lieutenant of the Grand Master, Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre, who also nominated a committee tasked with investigating the matter and – in case – putting forward disciplinary sanctions.”
The spokeswoman said that although the Grand Chancellor had been involved, he had not “initiated the process himself”.
The spokeswoman said that Fra Dalla Torre had “provisionally” suspended Mr Sire, pending the decision of a committee. The Order’s own laws say that the Grand Master can set up a “special disciplinary commission” to investigate a member, who can be suspended in the meantime.
The disciplinary hearing must take place in “absolute secrecy”, says the Constitutional Charter and Code.
Injunction against pro-lifer lifted
A court has thrown out an injunction against the organiser of a pro-life vigil, saying it is “simply not justified”.
The injunction against Dr John Edwards was brought by Nottingham City Council, but was lifted by Judge Richard Owen QC.
Dr Edwards, a retired teacher, said he was “delighted” by the ruling. “This was a deeply misguided attempt by the city council to attack free speech simply because they disagreed with our point of view,” he said.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.