In what appears to be an attempt to rectify the biggest misstep of his pontificate, Pope Francis has appointed an investigator with a strong track record to look into sexual abuse allegations that have dogged Bishop Juan Barros, the pope’s …
Tag: Malta
Leaked Report of Cardinal Burke Audience Reveals Background on Malta Crisis
Today, 28 April, the Austrian Catholic website Kath.net has published an important report written by a Maltese Knight about a recent audience with Cardinal Raymond Burke in which the (“de facto suspended“) Cardinal Patron revealed much of the background of the …
Fra’ Festing Rediscovers His Fight
When Fra’ Matthew Festing abdicated his position as Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta — at the pope’s direct request — it left many scratching their heads. How could he allow himself to be pushed out so …
Pope Approves Order Barring Former Knights of Malta Grand Master From His Own Order’s Elections in Rome
Over the past few months, we’ve covered the saga of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta rather extensively. If you’re unfamiliar with the main events surrounding this thousand-year-old chivalric Catholic order toppled by Pope Francis, this summary is probably the …
New Letter From Malta Bishops Attempts to Downplay Permissive Guidelines
In a new pastoral letter issued for Lent, the Maltese bishops have attempted to downplay the permissiveness of their guidelines on Amoris Laetitia. A look at the guidelines themselves tells the real story.
Knights of Malta Coup Turns Sights on Cardinal Burke
(Image Source: EWTN) Last month, we recounted the long and sordid story of the toppling of the Knights of Malta. Three particularly troubling events stood out at the conclusion of that story: First, the resignation of Fra’ Matthew Festing, Grand Master of …
Archbishop of Malta Claims Fidelity to Pope on Exhortation Guidelines
The focus is back on the Maltese bishops this week after it was revealed that in a meeting with the priests of his archdiocese, Archbishop Charles Scicluna had said that he had no choice in issuing the deeply controversial Maltese bishops …
Malta Besieged: An Ancient and Sovereign Order Toppled by Rome
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta — known as “the Sovereign Military Order of Malta” or the “Knights of Malta” for short — is one of the Catholic Church’s oldest and …
Knights of Malta Grand Master’s Resignation Accepted by Sovereign Council
(Image courtesy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta website) Fra’ Matthew Festing, Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, offered his resignation at the pope’s request earlier this week. Today, the Sovereign Council of the Order — …
In Malta, A Shepherd or a Wolf?
On May 28, 2011, in the small island nation of Malta — nestled in a Mediterranean archipelago between Italy’s boot and Africa’s northern coast — a referendum was held on the topic of divorce. The official religion of the Maltese Republic is …