The Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Fra’ John T. Dunlap’s official visit to the Baltic countries ended in Estonia today.
Received by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, at the Presidential Residence in Tallinn, the Grand Master enjoyed a cordial conversation during which the main international affairs were discussed, with particular attention to ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the importance of the role of multilateral cooperation in responding to global crises.
During the meeting, Fra’ John T. Dunlap expressed his gratitude to President Karis for the warm welcome and his great satisfaction for the successful relations between Estonia and the Sovereign Order of Malta which, albeit only initiated in 2020, have rapidly developed in recent years, thanks to the ongoing collaboration in the welfare, social, and cultural sectors. The Grand Master also outlined the Order’s main international activities, focusing on the humanitarian assistance provided to communities affected by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and renewed the Order’s commitment “to support those most in need, promoting respect for international law and the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel in conflict situations”.
“The work of the Order of Malta reminds us that compassion transcends borders, cultures, and generations. In a world that often faces division and uncertainty, your mission serves as a powerful example of how faith, service, and human dignity can unite people in pursuit of the common good,” said President Karis in his words of appreciation for the Order’s work, confirming Estonia’s willingness – expressed during the visit – to explore further opportunities for collaboration, both within the country and in the context of future aid initiatives for Ukraine.
The discussions also covered the cultural cooperation between the Order of Malta and Estonia in recent years, culminating in 2024 with an exhibition dedicated to the Order’s history and traditions in the Tallin Museum of Orders of Knighthood.
The Grand Master then met with the President of the Estonian Parliament, Lauri Hussar, with whom he discussed the crisis in Ukraine, reiterating the role of humanitarian diplomacy in promoting international peace and stability.
Subsequently, Dunlap visited the Vilmsi Pansionaat, a care home for the elderly, where he encountered the staff, residents and volunteers of the Relief Corps (OMRO Estonia), directly observing the activities provided for the most vulnerable. Since 2024, the Order’s volunteers have regularly carried out social-support initiatives for the home’s guests with individual visits, conversation sessions, gymnastics, creative workshops, reading groups and cultural initiatives. The project aims to counter loneliness and social isolation among older people by promoting their well-being and inclusion through human relations and community activities.
As part of the visit, Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo met with Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to sign a Cooperation Agreement aimed at promoting joint initiatives and consolidating cooperation in the socio-humanitarian, voluntary, disaster-risk reduction and refugee integration sectors. The agreement also provides for the creation of a joint committee responsible for identifying and monitoring the initiatives to be implemented.
The day also included a visit to the Memorial of the Victims of Communism in Maarjamäe, where the Grand Master paid tribute to the memory of Blessed Eduard Profittlich, Archbishop of Tallinn who died during the Soviet persecution, and those who lost their lives during the regime’s repressions.
The Sovereign Order of Malta in Estonia
Present in the country through its Embassy and Relief Corps (OMRO Estonia), founded in 2023, the Sovereign Order of Malta is engaged in numerous social and welfare activities for the elderly, people with disabilities, the homeless, and vulnerable citizens. With over 300 volunteers, the Order of Malta Relief Corps in Estonia promotes home-care programmes, distribution of meals and basic necessities, transport services for people with reduced mobility, first-aid training and social inclusion initiatives. Recent projects include expanding mobile health services in rural areas, strengthening emergency response capacities through volunteer training and involvement, and the “Maltese Shield” program, carried out in collaboration with the Estonian Banking Association and the Police and Border Guard Board, which aims to raise awareness among the population, particularly older people, on the risks of telephone and online fraud.
