A Broken Promise of Reform

And to think it was supposed to be an exemplary, ethical, and moral revolution; instead, it has so far turned out to be a spectacular defeat for the Vatican: all the efforts once made by Francis to bring some spirituality, moderation, and humility back to the Order of Malta have proven useless. They have been betrayed. To the point that there may be a risk of receivership or an inspection. For several months now, a substantial dossier has landed on Leo XIV’s desk. It contains analyses, complaints, and (many) criticisms about the way the current leadership is proceeding, which seems not very much in line with the austere and reforming spirit that inspired the new constitution, approved in 2022 under the pontificate of Bergoglio.

RELIGIOUS ORDER

To begin with, the most important issue has remained a dead letter: the actual transformation of this ancient chivalric order into a fully-fledged religious order, through a spiritual path for the Professed members, not only to dispel the shadows of the past but to demonstrate absolute consistency with the principle ‘Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum’ of Blessed Gerard, the founder of this institution. The leadership, in particular the Grand Master, the Canadian John Dunlap, has come under fire. It should have been up to him, first and foremost, to set an example and ensure respect for the new spirit of the Constitution.

Moreover, he should have already established a monastery capable of hosting the Professed members, who would then be consecrated as Fra’ through the definitive acceptance of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Article 39 of the Charter required the creation of a Convent ‘within one year’ of its entry into force, obliging the Professed to live in community like any other religious order. This was something Bergoglio considered fundamental to saving the Order of Malta. Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, jurist and Patron of the Order, had already identified a building of the Vicariate at San Martino ai Monti. The contract (rent to buy) was ready, but Grand Master Dunlap allegedly called everything off.

As a result, Leo XIV has summoned him to the Apostolic Palace for a decisive clarification, which could lead to further measures. The atmosphere is rather tense. Beyond the missing Convent, other issues have come to a head. The decision to close by the end of this year the clinic (historically intended for the poor) housed in the magistral palace on Via Condotti. The reason is that it was costing the Order of Malta too much, although the Order is burdened by excessive and unnecessary representation expenses. Once those spaces are vacated by the clinic, they are expected to be rented to major luxury groups, perhaps Tiffany or even Hermes. This has raised more than one eyebrow among cardinals in the Vatican.

RELATIONS

The complaints reaching the Pope are not few. Things are no better in some embassies of the Order of Malta. In this case, it was the apostolic nuncios who raised some issues. And precisely because of the lack of consistency with the basic principles of religious life, some senior officials and members of the government have left, slamming the door in total disagreement with the general trend.

THE MORAL CRISIS

The moral crisis afflicting the Order of Malta had already caused real internal earthquakes over the past ten years. Heads rolling overnight, fratricidal struggles, million-dollar inheritances of dubious origin, African hospitals where abortions were performed in total disregard for Church doctrine, to the point that the late Grand Master Matthew Festing, a person of utmost integrity, was unjustly forced to resign in 2016 under the pressure of an internal conspiracy. He wanted to clarify many revenues, conduct an audit, and make every step transparent. But above all, he wanted to turn the Professed into true monks, obliging them to live in a monastery, as happens in any religious order. In 2017, Francis was forced to place the Order under receivership, sweep away the German knights, and in 2022, the constitutional reform was finally approved, which (on paper) set poverty and community life for the members.

Now it will be up to Leo XIV to take the matter back in hand and try to set the Order straight.