The Holy See had named a commission of inquiry two days ago. Some interpreted it as an effort to harass or strike back at the leader of the "dubia resistance," Cardinal Raymond Burke, who as Patron of the Knights had participated in the decision to oust the grand chancellor in early December.
Albrecht von Boeselager was fired for allegedly being involved in the distribution of condoms while he was grand hospitaller or health minister and then attempting to cover it up.
Statement of the Grand Magistry (12/23/25)
The Grand Magistry of the Sovereign Order of Malta has learnt of the decision made by the Holy See to appoint a group of five persons to shed light on the replacement of the former Grand Chancellor.
The replacement of the former Grand Chancellor is an act of internal governmental administration of the Sovereign Order of Malta and consequently falls solely within its competence. The aforementioned appointment is the result of a misunderstanding by the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.
The Grand Master respectfully clarified the situation yesterday evening in a letter to the Supreme Pontiff, laying out the reasons why the suggestions made by the Secretariat of State were unacceptable.
He assured the Holy Father of his filial devotion and asked the Pontiff for the Apostolic Blessing, both for him and for the Sovereign Order of Malta, its 13,500 members and its 100,000 staff and volunteers who continue to provide a permanent and efficient hospitaller presence in more than 120 countries in the world according to the centuries-old charism of the Order of Malta.
That response was most likely directed by Cardinal Burke. Of course,the investigation was undoubtedly all about demoting the Cardinal yet again, but this time he was ready. I look forward to the formal correction coming very soon.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it was directed by Cardinal Burke. That is not his style as one who places all emphasis on his spiritual role, but certainly the lay heads of the order could be seen to respond in that manner
DeleteI just LOVE this act by the Knights of Malta. The interference by the Vatican is so obviously a way to get at Cardinal Burke who sticks in the craw of Bergoglio. Well done, Knights of Malta!
ReplyDeleteWorking in public schools, another hotbed of mental illness and psychological weirdness, we see this type of harassment by those in power. Maybe all despots are the same in some sense, paranoid, and mean, and rather than actually do a job and do it well, they expend all their energy identifying their personal hit list and implementing sorties against them, until they break or leave.
ReplyDeleteIt has been sickening to see this entire papacy unfold, and now to witness his hateful attacks, removing good men from posts, exiling them, publicly insulting them, and us, attacking the faith, it is horrible to watch. There is only one reason for this nonsense in Malta, only one, and this evil man is so confident in his attacks, so sure of his ability to pull this off, so positive he has the numbers behind him, that he is increasingly bold in his maneuvers.
Formal correction and soon, good Cardinals. We are with you, may God be with you and keep you.
Well said Kathleen1031. Pope Francis wants to make sure that no good deed goes unpunished.
DeleteIf Cardinal Burke had never been "demoted" to his current position, the grand chancellor would have never been "fired". According to reports, he had been on record for distributing disorder since 2014 and it wasn't until Cardinal Burke's arrival on the scene that he was ousted. So in a round about way, it is a good thing Cardinal Burke is where he is...for now. Right? (don't slay me, it is Christmas)
ReplyDeleteWell done Knights of Malta. (Okay we won't slay you. As it's Christmas may we sleigh you?)
ReplyDeleteVengeance coming from the "mercy" headquarters...
ReplyDelete