Audience of the Grand Master with Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Order of Malta
Rome 10 January 2025 – The diplomatic and humanitarian mission of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the world, was the centrepiece of Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap’s speech to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Sovereign Order of Malta, this morning at the Magistral Villa in Rome.
Addressing the large audience, the Grand Master recalled the urgent need to work for peace: “Another year, 2025, is upon us. His Holiness, Pope Francis, has declared it a Jubilee Year. Will it bring us the peace that so many people of the world long for? Or — despite our best diplomatic efforts — will 2025 be a continuation of the violence, injustice, and displacement with which we, unfortunately, have become accustomed to living? Of course, our efforts alone cannot transform the world in one fell swoop. But, make no mistake, when we work together for peace and justice, we can make a tremendous difference in the lives of the poor, the forgotten, and the marginalized”.
Illustrating the intense diplomatic and institutional activity (today the Order of Malta has bilateral diplomatic relations with 114 States and the European Union, and permanent observer status at the United Nations, its specialised agencies and the main international organizations) that characterised the first years of His government, starting in May 2023, the Grand Master indicated the diplomatic priorities for the Sovereign Order of Malta: the advocacy for the International Humanitarian Law, the protection of civilian populations and relief workers in situations of war and conflict and upholding the value of religious freedom.
“Nowadays, human rights are being ignored and degraded with dire consequences for civilians trapped in war zones in many areas of the world. Indeed, humanitarian crises have erupted in many parts of the world. Events in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Ukraine have shocked us with their cruelty”. Fra’ John Dunlap therefore recalled that, in these situations, the Order of Malta has intervened directly “on the ground, consistent with its historical mission and its long-standing tradition of humanitarian aid”. In Gaza, the Order delivered food and other relief goods, in partnership with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Moreover, the Order of Malta continues to ensure its presence in the region thanks to the work of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, a unique model of service and social cohesion, and the Lebanese Association widely involved in the health, agricultural and educational sectors.
“It is both comforting and helpful to recognise that in the conduct of our diplomacy, we are sustained by the traditional charisma of the Order, ‘Defence of the Faith Through Service to the Poor’, and by the teaching of the Holy Father. We also know well that the world is in need for actors capable of providing unconditional humanitarian assistance and opening dialogues with all the parties”, concluded the Grand Master.
As per tradition, the audience was opened by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Sovereign Order of Malta, the Ambassador of Cameroon, Antoine Zanga, who offered his best wishes to the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council on behalf of all the ambassadors.
