- Status
T
twf
Guest
His Eminence continues to have a thriving global ministry, especially caring for the more “traditionalist” community…his actual formal position as Patron of the Order is, I understand, quite ceremonial and carries absolutely no authority or jurisdiction whatsoever - except that authority which a representative of the Holy See has at the Pope’s discretion. No other religious order has a cardinal patron in this sense. The other medieval knightly Order that has survived into the modern era is the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Like the Knights of Malta, they get their own cardinal…but in this case, the Cardinal, +O’Brien, IS the Grand Master of the Order and actually governs it.
It was actually very unusual for the Holy Father to appoint such a young cardinal to this position. I don’t think there are any Cardinal-level posts that would be seen as a “step down” in terms of responsibility.
R
robertmidwest
Guest
cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/01/13/popes-history-knights-malta-linked-current-row/
The letter on December 12 is discussing instructions given to Burke on December 1st.
P
Pulvis
Guest
From: lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-reinstating-fired-condom-promoter-after-taking-over-knights-of
"German aristocrat Albrecht von Boeselager was fired from his post as Grand Chancellor on the grounds that he violated his promise of obedience. He refused to resign even though his superiors asked him to, thus violating his vow of obedience and allowing the order to take disciplinary action. His superiors had asked him to resign abow to fter learning how he had overseen the distribution of contraceptives while leading Malteser International, the order’s charity.
While Pope Francis has spoken boldly of valuing the poor and the dangers of wealth and vanity, the courting of the powerful Von Boeselager family by the Vatican is evident. In addition to the controversial reversing of the decision of the Grand Master and forcing his resignation over Albrecht von Boeselager’s dismissal, Albrecht’s brother Georg was in the midst of the controversy appointed to a leadershop position at the Vatican bank.
Soon after von Boeselager’s dismissal, Pope Francis launched an investigation into the Knights of Malta. The investigation was rumored to focus more on what led to von Boeselager’s dismissal, not whether he had actually violated Church teaching by promoting contraception around the world."
Consider the source, but Ed Pentin of NC Register has commented on the same issue here:
ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/grand-master-of-the-order-of-malta-resigns
“Other factors behind this dispute have been allegations of an ambitious German association vying for control of the Order, accusations that the Grand Master was being overly authoritarian, and conflicts of interest among members of the Holy See commission.
Three members of the commission along with Boeselager have also been involved in a $118 million donation held in a trust in Switzerland. The trust denied any connection with the Order, despite documentation indicating the contrary.”
"German aristocrat Albrecht von Boeselager was fired from his post as Grand Chancellor on the grounds that he violated his promise of obedience. He refused to resign even though his superiors asked him to, thus violating his vow of obedience and allowing the order to take disciplinary action. His superiors had asked him to resign abow to fter learning how he had overseen the distribution of contraceptives while leading Malteser International, the order’s charity.
While Pope Francis has spoken boldly of valuing the poor and the dangers of wealth and vanity, the courting of the powerful Von Boeselager family by the Vatican is evident. In addition to the controversial reversing of the decision of the Grand Master and forcing his resignation over Albrecht von Boeselager’s dismissal, Albrecht’s brother Georg was in the midst of the controversy appointed to a leadershop position at the Vatican bank.
Soon after von Boeselager’s dismissal, Pope Francis launched an investigation into the Knights of Malta. The investigation was rumored to focus more on what led to von Boeselager’s dismissal, not whether he had actually violated Church teaching by promoting contraception around the world."
Consider the source, but Ed Pentin of NC Register has commented on the same issue here:
ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/grand-master-of-the-order-of-malta-resigns
“Other factors behind this dispute have been allegations of an ambitious German association vying for control of the Order, accusations that the Grand Master was being overly authoritarian, and conflicts of interest among members of the Holy See commission.
Three members of the commission along with Boeselager have also been involved in a $118 million donation held in a trust in Switzerland. The trust denied any connection with the Order, despite documentation indicating the contrary.”
S
Seamus_L
Guest
Continually referring to Cardinal Burke as “Burke” sounds very deliberate.
G
gilliam
Guest
From Vatican Insider:
The condoms in Myanmar
Von Boeselager, son of the homonymous baron who took part in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944 was elected Grand Chancellor taking up the third highest ranking position in the Order of the Knights of Malta in 2014, against the wishes of the Grand Master Festing, who had put forward an alternative list. Relations between the two became tense. Boeselager is highly esteemed, as is confirmed by numerous testimonies gathered by the Vatican’s commission of inquiry from individuals within the Order. Festing found an ally in the conservative American cardinal patron Raymond Leo Burke when he joined the Order. The chance for a showdown came in 2013 when Boeselager, who was not yet Chancellor, was dealing with assistance programmes around the world. One NGO that was working with the Knights of Malta had distributed condoms in Myanmar. And he was accused of being in the know.
The Pope’s involvement
This is where Cardinal Burke comes on the scene. He was gaining influence in the Order and on 10 November 2016 attended an audience with the Pope. During the audience, he assured the Pope that is was Boeselager who was responsible for the “condomgate” scandal. Burke also requested a papal letter backing the dismissal of the Grand Chancellor who was considered too “liberal”. Francis wrote a letter inviting the Knights to ensure Catholic morality was respected but explicitly asked for the dispute to be resolved by means of an internal discussion, without anyone getting the chop. But the Pope’s wishes, which did not in any way call for Boeselager’s removal, were not taken into consideration. On 15 December, the Grand Chancellor was dismissed. Francis, whose involvement Cardinal Burke had requested , got the Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin to intervene, Parolin wrote twice to the Grand Master explaining what the Pope’s real recommendations had been.
The commission and the statement
The Order, however, put up a resistance. So Francis decided to launch a commission of inquiry into the dismissal, placing Archbishop Silvano Tomasi at the helm. The Grand Master Festing hit back in a very harsh way, with a statement in which he laid claim to the Knights’ independence, refusing to recognise the legitimacy of the commission and ordering the Order’s leaders not to co-operate. Thanks to many testimonies and documents, Vatican investigators discovered that Francis had not been told the truth and that the report on the condom case was neither accurate nor complete. Boeselager, the commission concluded, held no responsibility in the case: as soon as he had learnt about the condoms being distributed, he ended the co-operation with the NGO. The Grand Master’s open challenge to the Holy See and the incomplete information on the case were the final straw. On 24 January, Festing met Francis and was asked to resign. He accepted, although Cardinal Burke proceeded by trying to dissuade him, openly defying the Pope.
The “delegate” surprise
The Order of Malta enjoys the autonomy of a sovereign State and has its own diplomatic representation. According to its statutes, leadership is temporarily held by the Grand Chancellor but a Vatican statement issued yesterday, announced the imminent nomination of a “papal delegate”, a trusted representative of the Pope who will guide the Order through this delicate phase, until a new Grand Master is elected, without placing the Order’s praiseworthy works of charity at risk.
lastampa.it/2017/01/26/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/the-order-of-maltas-crisis-z3YT6XiFgkgdTytPA4StJP/pagina.html
The condoms in Myanmar
Von Boeselager, son of the homonymous baron who took part in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944 was elected Grand Chancellor taking up the third highest ranking position in the Order of the Knights of Malta in 2014, against the wishes of the Grand Master Festing, who had put forward an alternative list. Relations between the two became tense. Boeselager is highly esteemed, as is confirmed by numerous testimonies gathered by the Vatican’s commission of inquiry from individuals within the Order. Festing found an ally in the conservative American cardinal patron Raymond Leo Burke when he joined the Order. The chance for a showdown came in 2013 when Boeselager, who was not yet Chancellor, was dealing with assistance programmes around the world. One NGO that was working with the Knights of Malta had distributed condoms in Myanmar. And he was accused of being in the know.
The Pope’s involvement
This is where Cardinal Burke comes on the scene. He was gaining influence in the Order and on 10 November 2016 attended an audience with the Pope. During the audience, he assured the Pope that is was Boeselager who was responsible for the “condomgate” scandal. Burke also requested a papal letter backing the dismissal of the Grand Chancellor who was considered too “liberal”. Francis wrote a letter inviting the Knights to ensure Catholic morality was respected but explicitly asked for the dispute to be resolved by means of an internal discussion, without anyone getting the chop. But the Pope’s wishes, which did not in any way call for Boeselager’s removal, were not taken into consideration. On 15 December, the Grand Chancellor was dismissed. Francis, whose involvement Cardinal Burke had requested , got the Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin to intervene, Parolin wrote twice to the Grand Master explaining what the Pope’s real recommendations had been.
The commission and the statement
The Order, however, put up a resistance. So Francis decided to launch a commission of inquiry into the dismissal, placing Archbishop Silvano Tomasi at the helm. The Grand Master Festing hit back in a very harsh way, with a statement in which he laid claim to the Knights’ independence, refusing to recognise the legitimacy of the commission and ordering the Order’s leaders not to co-operate. Thanks to many testimonies and documents, Vatican investigators discovered that Francis had not been told the truth and that the report on the condom case was neither accurate nor complete. Boeselager, the commission concluded, held no responsibility in the case: as soon as he had learnt about the condoms being distributed, he ended the co-operation with the NGO. The Grand Master’s open challenge to the Holy See and the incomplete information on the case were the final straw. On 24 January, Festing met Francis and was asked to resign. He accepted, although Cardinal Burke proceeded by trying to dissuade him, openly defying the Pope.
The “delegate” surprise
The Order of Malta enjoys the autonomy of a sovereign State and has its own diplomatic representation. According to its statutes, leadership is temporarily held by the Grand Chancellor but a Vatican statement issued yesterday, announced the imminent nomination of a “papal delegate”, a trusted representative of the Pope who will guide the Order through this delicate phase, until a new Grand Master is elected, without placing the Order’s praiseworthy works of charity at risk.
lastampa.it/2017/01/26/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/the-order-of-maltas-crisis-z3YT6XiFgkgdTytPA4StJP/pagina.html
R
RCinMT
Guest
Any ties between Mr. Boeselager and Mr. Kasper?
P
Pulvis
Guest
Letter from the former grand Master of the Knights to the Order dated 14 January, 2017. Uploaded by Edward Pentin:
scribd.com/document/336716070/A-Letter-From-H-M-E-H-the-Prince-and-Grand-Master-14-01-2017
scribd.com/document/336716070/A-Letter-From-H-M-E-H-the-Prince-and-Grand-Master-14-01-2017
G
gilliam
Guest
No.
T
twf
Guest
lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-reinstating-fired-condom-promoter-after-taking-over-knights-of
It sounds like the Pope is going to reinstate the Grand Chancellor. The Grand Master is out…the Grand Chancellor is back in. What bothers me here is the fact that the Grand Chancellor openly defied his religious superior…he sinned against his vow of obedience, did he not? The Grand Master is removed for disobedience…but the Grand Chancellor is given a new chance?
It sounds like the Pope is going to reinstate the Grand Chancellor. The Grand Master is out…the Grand Chancellor is back in. What bothers me here is the fact that the Grand Chancellor openly defied his religious superior…he sinned against his vow of obedience, did he not? The Grand Master is removed for disobedience…but the Grand Chancellor is given a new chance?
R
robertmidwest
Guest
We have drug the Catholic Church into the Twilight Zone!!!
R
robertmidwest
Guest
Looks like they are going to keep him on the payroll there, but basically neuter him:
thetablet.co.uk/news/6643/0/grand-master-of-knights-of-malta-caves-in-to-vatican-pressure-and-resigns
J
JPUSC
Guest
M
mrdrifter
Guest
J
JimG
Guest
J
JPUSC
Guest
Great piece.
R
robertmidwest
Guest
Burke went to the pope seeking Vatican approval to fire him. The pope’s reply was to use dialog and never mentioned permission to axe anyone. Festing fired him in the presence of Burke and Festing claims he had Vatican approval (the written documents suggest he did not though). The December 12 letter was “Hey what are you doing? The pope told you to use dialogue, not fire anyone!”
By December 1st Burke knew the popes intention was to resolve the dispute with dialogue.
M
mrdrifter
Guest
Before you were saying the Pope instructed Cardinal Burke not to fire anyone. Now you’re saying the Pope merely never mentioned permission to axe anyone. The latter statement is nearer the truth.
M
mikeeh
Guest
Not since they were kicked out of the island of Malta.
I agree. The sovereignty they were granted centuries ago was intended to protect them from other religious orders and secular kingdoms from interfering with their order. It never granted the order full sovereignty from the Church. Over the centuries they were forced out of the Holy Land to Rhodes and then from Rhodes to Malta. They most likely applied the title of sovereign to continue diplomatic relations with other kingdoms. Any political sovereignty the order had was lost when they were exiled from Malta.
- Status