2000 Knights of Malta in St. Peter for the Nine Centuries of Life of the Order.
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The greeting of the Pope: Keep faith with Christ, the Church and the Poor. The Grand Master's message: No to death penalty and abortion, war to sects. |
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2000 Knights of Malta
coming from all over the world gathered on 24 June in St. Peter to celebrate
the festivity of St. John, their Patron, one of the most significant
moments of the Ninth Centenary of the Order, solemnly opened last December
in Malta in occasion of an international gathering announced by H.M.E.H.
the Prince and Grand Master, Fra' Andrew Bertie.
At the Altar of St. Peter's Chair, in the apse, the solemn mass was
officiated by His Eminence Cardinal Pio Laghi, who has the title and
functions of "Cardinalis Patronus" of the Order. Cardinals, Archbishops
and Conventual Chaplain con-celebrated the mass. Present were the Grand
Master, the Prelate of the Order H.E. Most Rev. Msgr. Donato de Bonis,
Titular Bishop of Castello di Numidia.
Present on personal invitation of the Grand Master were, Heads of State
and of Government among whom Presidents of Central Africa, Latvia, Republic
of Malta, Regent Captains of San Marino, Ministers of Foreign Affairs
of Bielorussia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Chile, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Guinea,
Lithuania, Portugal, Senegal and Hungary, personal representations for
President Chirac, Gen. Douin, Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour,
President Ciampi, Vice President Mattarella, Ranieri di Monaco, Prince
Alberto, and Head of State of Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Equator, Colombia,
Nicaragua, Spain, Austria, Honduras, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand
and of Panama, Heads of Mission accredited to the Sovereign Order and
numerous representatives of Royal and Imperial Families among whom the
Grand Duchess Vladimirova of Russia, King Michele of Romania, Prince
of Braganza Dom Duarte, Archduke Sigismondo of Asburgo-Lorena, Duke
and Duchess of Calibre. The celebration had its conclusion with an homage
to the Holy Father John Paul II, who then addressed his inaugural speech
to all Knights who gathered in St. Peter Square immediately after the
mass (next chapter).
On this occasion the Grand Magistry notified the nominations of the
new Government of the Order for the five-year period 1999-2004 carried
out a few days ago by the members of the Chapter General coming from
every Continent:
High Offices
H.E. Ven. Bailiff Fra' Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein, Grand Commander;
H.E. Amb. Conte Don Carlo Marullo di Condojanni Prince of Casalnuovo,
Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion in Obedience, Grand Chancellor;
H.E. Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour
and Devotion in Obedience, Grand Hospitaller;
H.E. Marquis Gian Luca Chiavari, Knight of Honour and Devotion in Obedience,
Receiver of the Common Treasure.
Councillors
H.E. Ven. Bailiff Fra' Carl E. Paar;
H.E. Comm. Fra' Carlo Arditi di Castelvetere;
H.E. Knight Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto;
H.E. Knight Fra' John Alexander MacPherson;
H.E. Richard J. Dunn, Knight of Grace and Devotion in Obedience;
H.E. Jean Pierre Mazery, Knight of Grace and Devotion in Obedience.
The morning of 26 June, H.M.E.H. the Prince and Grand Master, with the
Members of the Sovereign Council, made a solemn visit to the Holy Father,
received in the Vatican with State honours. After a private conversation
in the Holy Father's study, the Grand Master met in the Apostolic Palace
His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State. The Prelate
of the Order, H.E. Mgr. Donato de Bonis, and the Order's Ambassador
to the Holy See, H.E. Stefan Falez were also present.
The visit to the Holy Father was preceded by a ceremony in the Magistral
Palace for conferring the collar of the Ordine Piano, reserved for Heads
of State, brought to him by the deputy Secretary of State, H.E. Mgr.
Giovanni Battista Re.