Message of H.M.E.H.
the Prince and Grand Master on occasion of the Feast of St. John the
Baptist 24 June 1999
The feast of St. John the Baptist, our Holy Patron, in the year in which
we celebrate nine centuries of the Order's life, is the most propitious
occasion not only for recalling the long journey we have made but also
to outline the commitments we feel we should make for the Third Millennium.
In the past centuries we have defended the Faith and helped those who
needed us - the sick, the poor and the oppressed - without making any
distinction of nationality or opinion. In peace and in war, in our turn
oppressed, but always with the help of Providence able to rise again.
Rising to follow those ideals which have seen us religious, soldiers
and hospitallers, but with a single vocation that has always kept us
closely united to the Church of Rome.
Today we have the same commitments. But to meet them, as history rolls
on, we have to adapt day by day to the ever changing conditions of society
around us. Society which, in many cases, determines our action that
must be bold, if necessary, in opposing what offends the Catholic faith.
We are also committed to the defence of human life. We build hospitals,
we treat the sick, we never hesitate to put ourselves in the front line
wherever war breaks out, never taking sides, already ready, with concrete
interventions, to meet the needs of the wounded, the refugees and the
homeless. We mobilise our forces world-wide, as we did and are still
doing in the Balkans, in the manifold situations in which we need to
relieve the suffering and hardship of the many refugees still in painful
circumstances.
But it is also our duty, besides crying out "war on war", to shout "war
on death" firmly and fearlessly. We make no distinction between the
tragedies committed in battle in the name of racial hatred and the many
deaths occurring where capital punishment is still in force, even in
very civilised countries.
Just as abortion is still committed in observance of the same laws.
The Order of Malta, approaching its tenth century of life, must oppose
these uncivilised acts, because it is not enough for us to treat the
wounded in wars, the sick in hospitals and the refugees in the camps;
life has to be defended everywhere and always.
War on death, but also war on those who would like to see the death
of Faith. Defending the Faith, "tuitio fidei" , with "obsequium
pauperum" - helping the needy - is one of the cornerstones of our
centuries-old action. Today the Order is a convinced supporter of the
ecumenism that unites not only all Christians, but all religious spirits
in the world. This is precisely why we firmly oppose those on the religious
sidelines who have created movements and authentic sects, often for
profit-making aims, that distort Christ's truth, damage their adepts
and on many occasions violate laws and morality. The Knights of Malta
should be ready to take up arms against these so that Faith can live,
especially in these times of false prophets and "angels of darkness"
who come in the guise of "angels of light".
Therefore, after nine centuries, we are facing the same commitments
that have always guided us. It is our duty to meet them with courage
and strength in that Third Millennium awaiting us with "duties unknown
to other ages" as announced by Pius XII.