Fra’ Marco Luzzago is extended in his office of Lieutenant of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta until the conclusion of the Extraordinary General Chapter and the subsequent election of a new Grand Master. Full authority is given to Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, in particular, to convene and preside over the Extraordinary General Chapter; to define an ad hoc regulation for the composition and celebration of the Extraordinary General Chapter; to approve the Constitutional Charter and the Maltese Code; to proceed to the renewal of the Sovereign Council and to convene the Complete Council of State for the election of the new Grand Master.
Renewal
These are the principal decisions adopted by Pope Francis for the Order of Malta contained in a letter addressed to Cardinal Tomasi a year after his appointment. The Pontiff highlights “with gratitude, the positive steps taken in regard to the spiritual and moral renewal of the Order of Malta, especially of the Professed Members, as well as the updating of the Constitutional Charter and the Maltese Code, the latter being the hub of fundamental importance not only in view of the coming Extraordinary General Chapter but especially for the renewal of the Order.”
The Pope reiterates to Cardinal Tomasi that “to be able to continue this important work of renewal, as my Special Delegate to it, you enjoy all the necessary powers to decide the eventual questions that must arise for the implementation mandate entrusted to you. In as much as my Special Delegate, you have the power to claim aspects of the ordinary government of the Order for yourself, also to abrogate, if necessary, the present Constitutional Charter and the present Maltese Code, as well as to resolve all internal conflicts in the Order ex auctoritate Summi Pontificis.” Hence the series of special powers attributed to the Delegate.
Encouragement
“I encourage and support the Johannine Family in the many works of charity that it carries out with the praiseworthy work done by the Members and Volunteers in different parts of the world, faithful to the objective of the Order of Malta: the “tuitio fidei” (the defense of the Faith) and the “Obsequium pauperum “ (the service to the poor, to the sick, and to the weakest people). I have no doubts that the whole Order will willingly collaborate at every level with you in the spirit of genuine obedience and respect,” concludes the Pontiff in his letter.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
