The Holy See has issued a statement Tuesday in response to 'attempts by the Order of Malta to discredit' the new group established by the Vatican to conduct the investigation of why the Chancellor of the Order of Malta was asked to step down.
It states that the Holy See 'reaffirms its confidence in the five Members of the Group appointed by Pope Francis on 21 December 2016 to inform him about the present crisis of the Central Direction of the Order, and rejects, based on the documentation in its possession, any attempt to discredit these Members of the Group and their work.'
The Order of Malta has refused to cooperate with the investigation and on January 14, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta sent a letter to the Knights Membership explaining that there could be 'serious accusations of a conflict of interest' within the five member group the Vatican has appointed, which contain four members of the Order of Malta.
COMPLETE TEXT OF VATICAN COMMUNICATION
'In relation to the events of recent weeks concerning the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Holy See wishes to reiterate its support and encouragement for the commendable work that members and volunteers carry out in various parts of the world, in fulfillment of the aims of the Order: tuitio fidei (the defense of the Faith) and obsequium pauperum (service to the poor, the sick and those in greatest need).
For the support and advancement of this generous mission, the Holy See reaffirms its confidence in the five Members of the Group appointed by Pope Francis on 21 December 2016 to inform him about the present crisis of the Central Direction of the Order, and rejects, based on the documentation in its possession, any attempt to discredit these Members of the Group and their work.
The Holy See counts on the complete cooperation of all in this sensitive stage, and awaits the Report of the above-mentioned Group in order to adopt, within its area of competence, the most fitting decisions for the good of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and of the Church.'
