THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA OPENED TODAY
Pope Francis: “Thank you because you make yourself available to our brothers and sisters in need”.
The Extraordinary General Chapter of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta kicks off today in a religious structure on the outskirts of Rome, after a few days of spiritual reflections. It is presided over by the Lieutenant of the Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap and by Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, the Pope’s Special Delegate. There are 111 capitulars who take part in the supreme governing body of the Order. Coming from five continents, they represent all the Order’s classes and entities.
The General Chapter has the task of safeguarding the charism of the Order of Malta and of updating it by becoming aware of and dealing with the most important issues of the Order. Program the activities, check the balance sheet and direct international relations.
In a message sent to the capitulars , Pope Francis wanted to express his closeness to the Order of Malta: “ The worldly, selfish and consumerist mentality today is a challenge which, with your exemplary life and your works of mercy, you are called to face… You do it, for example, by caring for the sick and visiting prisoners. I know that in many parts of the world you members and your volunteers are dedicated to these works. Accompany also those who are approaching the moment of death, so delicate, in the passage from this earth to eternal life “. In the letter, which was read at the opening of this morning’s meeting, the Pope finally thanks the Order of Malta “because you make yourselves available to your brothers and sisters in need, pushing you to the existential peripheries where you can meet and serve Christ ”.
During the General Chapter, the reports of the Special Delegate of the Pope, of the Lieutenant of the Grand Master on the general state of the Order will be presented; as well as the reports of the Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller, Receiver of the Common Treasury and the Prelate as far as they are concerned.
The General Chapter is called to elect the Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller and Receiver of the Common Treasury, 4 councilors of the Sovereign Council and the seven members of the Chamber of Accounts.
According to the new Constitution of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the General Chapter meets every 6 years.
