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Voormalig Prins en Vorst Grootmeester van de
Maltezer Orde: fra' Andrew Bertie |
I am very happy to welcome
all of you to this Chapter General which has for main purpose the election of
the Members of the Sovereign Council, of the Government Council and of the Board
of Auditors.
It is an important tradition in our Order that those undertaking the highest
responsibilities within the Order, present themselves to its worldwide
representatives. They have, in turns, the duty to select the members of the
Order who are the most qualified to take in hand the general policy of the Order
in both the religious and charitable fields.
Before addressing this important issue, let me give you some of my thoughts on
the present situation of the Order:
1. As it was repeatedly said, without Professed Knights who should be deeply
devoted to their catholic commitment, the Order would lose its most important
specificity and charisma.
I know that our vocation is an unusual one : we are not priests and we do not
live in community, whereas many of those who have vocations today feel that
their vocation is to the priesthood or a monastic environment.
However, I am sure that there are young men, who, if it is properly explained,
would find that they have a vocation in the Order. Of course, the example of
Professed Knights is of the highest importance in this.
Therefore, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of attracting suitable
vocations. In the Grand Magistry, a weekly Mass intention is for vocations in
the Order, and I ask you all to pray for this intention.
2. The Seminar held in Malta in January this year was a great success, and it
was striking how all the working groups emphasised the spiritual side of our
work and the need of training candidates, aspirants, and even members of the
Order, in our spirituality, history and laws.
The final conclusions of the various working groups were submitted last month to
the Sovereign Council which has started to study how to draw a synthesis of the
various recommendations, select the ones which should be adopted and organize
their implementation.
It will be the task of the new Government to continue the work started and I
hope that by the end of the Summer the Grand Magistry shall be able to adopt
some final proposals.
3. It is true that some significant progress have been reached during the last
decades in the preparation of the candidates who apply for membership in the
Order and that a greater number of our members are conscious that they have to
dedicate themselves personally to the mission of the Order.
However, we have been faced sometimes with conflicts which, in most cases, were
the consequences of the pursuit of personal ego and ambition.
Examples from history, ancient traditions and observations in nature clearly
show that unity and cooperation offer a better chance of survival than do
competition and aggression. Unity and cooperation are now considered strategic
assets, as well as spiritual truths.
4. I have also noticed that there is an unfortunate tendency from a few members
to think that they know better than their superiors about the policies and
workings of the Order, and to make difficulties for those of us who are doing
our best to fulfil the aims of helping the sick and poor, and to defend our
Religion.
Every religious knows that the vow of Obedience is the hardest to keep, and as
our Order is not only religious but also military by tradition, I ask you to
impress on all the necessity of accepting instructions and policies, which have
been reached only after deep consideration and discussion.
5. Let me now come back to the main purpose of the Chapter General.
Each of the functions to be provided for are of great importance for the future
of the Order:
- the Sovereign Council and the High Charges, because they represent the
Government of the Order and with the Grand Master its highest authority;
- the Government Council, as his members are to be selected on a geographical
basis because they should develop links between the Grand Magistry and the
Priories and National Associations, the Board of Auditors because they assist
the Receiver in the fund management of our resources and expenses.
In the operational, diplomatic and political field, we have substantially
expanded in the past ten years, but as finances are tight, we have now adopted
the policy of not seeking to establish worldwide operations or full diplomatic
relations with States, or regions, where there is no chance of us having a
significant hospitaller activity at the same time.
Before undertaking such works, it is essential that the financing and management
should be carefully studied beforehand, and that in every case the High Charges
of the Sovereign Council should be fully briefed and involved. The Grand
Commander to ensure that our ethical norms are kept, the Grand Chancellor to see
that it is in conformity with our political objects, the Grand Hospitaller, so
that it is certain that we have the personnel and equipment to carry out the
work, and, of course, the Receiver, because we cannot be landed with a large
debt.
In all these works, too, it is preferable to start on a small scale and then to
enlarge them if it is a success, rather than to begin with a big bang, and then
see it fragment and collapse.
The significant increase of the tasks entrusted to the Government of the Order,
makes it imperative that the Knights to be elected in the various boards should
be selected on the criteria of their high professional skills and their
disinterested dedication to the mission of the Order.
It is only through a common vision – the importance of which has been emphasised
during the Strategic Seminar of Malta – that the various elected boards can
operate in a spirit of cooperation which is essential for a good functioning. I
take this opportunity to underline that I have been particularly appreciative of
the cohesion which existed to a large extent in the present Government.
It is in this spirit of professionalism, dedication to the mission of the Order
and cohesion in the composition of the various boards, that I recommend you to
fulfil your duty of today.
