Dispute Escalates Between Vatican, Knights of Malta

Catholic Culture ^ | 1/17/18

[marshmallow]

The Vatican has underlined its commitment to an investigation into controversy within the Knights of Malta, after the head of that order charged that an investigating committee was troubled by “serious accusations of a conflict of interest.”

In a letter to members of the Knights of Malta, Fra’ Matthew Festing, the grand master of the Order, reiterated that he was opposing the Vatican investigation because it was a threat to the sovereignty of the Order. He said that he was deeply troubled by the conflict with the Vatican, and “I have barely been able to concentrate on anything else.” Nevertheless he said that the Knights of Malta would not cooperate with a Vatican inquiry into internal affairs.

Fra’ Matthew disclosed that three of the five members of the investigating committee appointed by Pope Francis had been involved with a fund that had been the subject of the internal probe that culminated with the dismissal of the Order’s chancellor, Albrecht von Boeselager. That involvement created a conflict of interest, he said.

On January 17, the Vatican shot back with a public statement in which “the Holy See reaffirms its confidence in the five members of the group” appointed by Pope Francis to investigate the controversy. The statement warned that the Vatican rejects “any attempt to discredit these members of the group or their work.”

In another clear warning to the leadership of the Knights, the Vatican statement called for “complete cooperation” with the investigating committee. (Fra’ Matthew had directed members of the Order not to cooperate.) The Vatican statement concluded with a promise that upon learning the details of the controversy the Holy See would “adopt, within its area of competence, the most fitting decisions for the good of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and of the Church.”

[ebb tide]

The Vatican statement concluded with a promise that upon learning the details of the controversy the Holy See would “adopt, within its area of competence, the most fitting decisions for teh good of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and of the Church.”

"Area of competence". Are the circus clowns kidding?

[GCC Catholic]

On January 17, the Vatican shot back with a public statement in which “the Holy See reaffirms its confidence in the five members of the group” appointed by Pope Francis to investigate the controversy. The statement warned that the Vatican rejects “any attempt to discredit these members of the group or their work.”

Then the corruption goes higher than these three of the five members.

The Knights need to stand firm and keep digging.

[piusv]

Vatican I states:

If anyone thus speaks, that the Roman Pontiff has only the office of inspection or direction, but not the full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the universal Church, not only in things which pertain to faith and morals, but also in those which pertain to the discipline and government of the Church spread over the whole world; or, that he possesses only the more important parts, but not the whole plenitude of this supreme power; or that this power of his is not ordinary and immediate, or over the churches altogether and individually, and over the pastors and the faithful altogether and individually: let him be anathema.

Exactly how can the Order of Malta say that the pope does not have authority over them?

[pbear8]

Malta is a Sovereign Order of Knights over 900 years old. They have diplomatic relations with 100 countries, they do charitable work in many countries, they are not directed by the Pope. Do not confuse the Order with the island of the same name.

[piusv]

You need to re-read the Vatican I quote. The pope has universal jurisdiction over all Catholics. Quite honestly, I don’t see how a Catholic Order can complain about Francis’ investigations if they believe he is the true pope of the Catholic Church.