Order of Malta: Ancient Order Goes Back to its Source

by Caleb SC · Published August 8, 2017 · Updated August 7, 2017

For more than 900 years, the Order of the Knights of Malta has seen its fair share of victories, defeats and institutional changes.

However, those challenges did not prepare them for the intense media scrutiny that followed a crisis in the order at the beginning of the year.

Mauro Bertero Gutierrez, the person overseeing the institutional reform of Order of Malta, said that while the first months of 2017 “were indeed troubled times,” the crisis also offered an opportunity to “update the rules.”

“Our reform is directed mainly at reaffirming the mission we have had for the last 900 years. It’s going forward without forgetting the source of the order’s spiritual commitment of service to the sick and the poor, Bertero said.

The Crisis in the Order

The crisis was triggered by an incident involving one of the many charitable projects the Order of Malta is involved in through its humanitarian relief agency, Malteser International.

Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, the order’s grand chancellor, was fired after it was reported that the Order of Malta’s humanitarian relief agency, Malteser International, was involved in the distribution of condoms in Myanmar, as part of a project to prevent the spread of Aids.

Pope Francis established a commission to gather the facts for the Holy See about the circumstances leading to von Boeselager’s removal.

Regarding the issue initially used to justify von Boeselager’s removal – the distribution of condoms – Bertero said church teachings were never being flouted.

“It’s different when you are involved in a humanitarian effort to protect (women) who were being raped by people who are involved in a civil war than (it is) to go out distributing condoms in the discos in Rio de Janeiro during carnival time,” he told CNS. “There is a morally important difference and perception. And I believe that was understood by the Holy Father and that was also understood by the world community.”

Von Boeselager was subsequently reinstated.

We listen to the Lord and our heart and act

However, he added, the order “learned from this” and now relies on the help of bioethicists who assist in evaluating moral and ethical issues that arise.

“What would the Lord say? What would the Lord do? That’s what we do in the Order of Malta,” Bertero said. “We listen to our heart and we act according to the Catholic teachings of the church and our responsibility, which is a moral one as human beings.

The Order of Malta is better prepared to fulfil its charitable and humanitarian duties in the modern age. Its mission hasn’t changed their founding in Jerusalem in 1048.

“What did we do in Jerusalem? Defend the faith and help the sick and the poor,” Bertero told CNS. “What do we do today in 2017? Defend the faith and bring our best service to our Lord, the sick and the poor.” By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service