Work with the Order of Malta

What is the Order of Malta?

Description of the Order of Malta

The Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law, with its own constitution, passports, stamps and public institutions. At its executive level, the Order is administered as a sovereign government represented diplomatically in many nations. In fact, the Order has diplomatic relations with 102 countries (though not with the United Kingdom and the United States) and missions to major European countries, as well as to European and international organisations. The Order remains true to its founding objectives, that is the defense of the Catholic faith and assistance to the poor and suffering, which is carried out through the voluntary work of its members in humanitarian assistance and medical and social activities in over 120 countries. Today the Order is also described as an international charity with "neutral, impartial and non-political" objectives.

The Grand Master of the Order of Malta is elected among professed Knights of the Order, who have taken religious wows namely celibacy, obedience and poverty. He is accorded the singular title of "His Most Eminent Highness" and receives precedence in the Roman Catholic hierarchy immediately after that of the most junior cardinal. The current Grand Master is Fra Matthew Festing of the UK, who was elected on 11 March 2008 in replacement of Fra Andrew Bertie, who died in February 2008 (after having led the Order from 1988).

The government of the Order of Malta is headed by the Grand Master, who is elected for life and is assisted by a Sovereign Council, made up of 4 State Ministers: Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller, and the Receiver of the Common Treasure. Other six members, elected from professed Knights or Knights in obedience, elected for a term of five years, complete the Sovereign Council.

A bit of history

The full name of the Order of Malta is the following: Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. This is because the Order governed Malta for centuries, before moving to Rome, where it obtained a sovereign territory and is the world's smallest sovereign state. Although maintaining its Head Office in Rome, the Order has recently returned to Malta, after signing an agreement with the Maltese government, which granted the Order the exclusive use of Fort St. Angelo (which used to belong to the Order from 1530).

The Order has its origins in a hospice and confraternity in Jerusalem , founded some time before the first Crusade (1099). According to some accounts, the original Christian hospice was founded as early as 1020. It is therefore one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisations. The original objective of the Order was to defend and care for pilgrims, travellers and the sick that went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Palestine).

The Order of Malta is generally described as "a religious Order, of military, chivalrous and noble nature". Its 12,500 members include professed friars and others who have made vows of obedience. The other Knights and dames are lay members, "devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity".

The relations between the Order of Malta and the European Union

Visit of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta to Brussels

The Grand Master of the Order, Fra Andrew Bertie paid an official visit to Brussels on 31st January 2007 where he met with President José Manuel D. Barroso and Commissioner Ján Figel'. This visit aimed at consolidating the link between the Order and the European Union in other fields than the one of development and humanitarian activities. Indeed, the Order has always been willing to develop relations in all matters that relate to inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogues. Through this official trip, the Grand Master also wanted to reiterate his wish to see the European Union formally establish diplomatic relations with the Order of Malta.

 

Ambassador Laurence Argimon-Pistre presents her Letters of Credence to the Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing

Accreditation

The 12th June 2007, the first Head of the EU Delegation in Rome, Mr Luis Ritto, was accredited to the Order of Malta, 6 months after the official visit of the Grand Master Fra Andrew Willonghby Nimian Bertie to President Barroso in Brussels. On 1 January 2012, Ambassador Laurence Argimon-Pistre was appointed as new Head of the European Union Delegation to the Holy See, to the Order of Malta and to the UN Organisations in Rome. She officially presented her credentials to the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra Matthew Festing, on 9 February 2012.

Cooperation and projects between the Order and the European Union

The relations between the European Union and the Order of Malta are good and based on mutual respect and understanding. The Order has been for many years now a valuable partner of the European Commission, having helped to implement the EU programmes and projects in many parts of the world, especially in the fields of emergency relief, medical care , the fight against poverty, the response to drought and famine, and special assistance to people affected by conflicts. The Order spends around US$ 1 billion per year in its activities worldwide, and has been able to receive EU financial resources for its actions, mainly from the European Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO).
On 17th February 2009 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the European Commission and the Order of Malta. The MoU reaffirms the cooperation in matters of common interest, especially in the following areas: post-crisis situations, migration, local economic and social development, vulnerable groups, human rights, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.

Main events concerning EU or EU Delegation in Rome with the Order of Malta

2012

2011: 

  • 9 March: An international cooperation agreement between Hungary and the Order of Malta is signed.
  • 28 February: The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek is received by the Grand Master,  Fra’ Matthew Festing, in the Order of Malta’s Magistral Villa in Rome.
  • 24 February: The Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Yves Gazzo, is awarded the Cross of Grand Officer Pro Merito Militensi by the Grand Master, Fra' Matthew Festing, for his contribution to the European construction and to the cooperation with the Order.
  • 28 January: Participation of EU Commissioner Georgieva to the International Conference “Humanitarian Diplomacy and International Crisis Management" organised in Paris (UNESCO) by the Order of Malta.
  • 24 January: The Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra’ Matthew Festing, receives in separate audiences, for the presentation of their Letters of Credence, the new Ambassadors of Italy and Hungary.
  • 11 January: Address of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra' Matthew Festing, to the Diplomatic Corps for the New Year.