Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Location:	Malta
Case File:	Secret Societies Main Page

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta,[a] and commonly known as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of a military, chivalric, and noble nature. Though it possesses no territory, the order is considered a sovereign entity under international law.

The Order traces its institutional continuity with the Knights Hospitaller, a chivalric order that was founded about 1099 by the Blessed Gerard in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The order is led by an elected prince and grand master. Its motto is Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum ("Defence of the faith and assistance to the poor").

The government of the Sovereign Order of Malta has a similar structure to national state governments. However, it also includes specific features associated with its nature as a lay religious order, as well as particular terminology evolved from nine centuries of history.

The Order's membership includes about 13,500 Knights, Dames and Chaplains. Thirty-three of these are professed religious Knights of Justice. Until the 1990s, the highest classes of membership, including officers, required proof of noble lineage. More recently, a path was created for Knights and Dames of the lowest class (of whom proof of aristocratic lineage is not required) to be specially elevated to the highest class, making them eligible for office in the order.

The Order's modern-day role is largely focused on providing humanitarian assistance and assisting with international humanitarian relations, for which purpose it has had permanent observer status at the United Nations General Assembly since 1994. The Order employs about 52,000 doctors, nurses, auxiliaries and paramedics assisted by 100,000 volunteers in more than 120 countries, assisting children, homeless, disabled, elderly, and terminally ill people, refugees, and people with leprosy around the world without distinction of ethnicity or religion.[b] Through its worldwide relief corps, Malteser International, the order aids victims of natural disasters, epidemics and war.

The Order maintains diplomatic relations with 115 states, enters into treaties, and issues its own passports, coins and postage stamps. Its two headquarters buildings in Rome enjoy extraterritoriality,[11] and it maintains embassies in other countries. The three principal officers are counted as citizens. The Order has been a United Nations General Assembly observer since 1994, granted in view of its "long-standing dedication [...] in providing humanitarian assistance and its special role in international humanitarian relations"; the same category is held by other non-state entities such as the International Olympic Committee and International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) is a lay religious order of the Catholic Church and a sovereign subject of international law. It is a unique, non-territorial entity recognized by many countries. Founded in the 11th century in Jerusalem, its mission is to serve the poor and the sick.

History

• 11th Century: A hospital is established in Jerusalem by merchants from Amalfi to care for pilgrims. The monastic community that ran it became an independent religious order under the leadership of Blessed Fra' Gerard.
• 1113: Pope Paschal II officially recognizes the Order of St. John, giving it autonomy from other authorities.

Crusades:

The Order expands its mission to include military defense of pilgrims, the sick, and Christian territories in the Holy Land.

• 1291: The Order relocates to Cyprus after the fall of the last Christian stronghold in the Holy Land.
• 1310: The knights move to the island of Rhodes, where they build a powerful fleet to defend Christendom.
• 1523: After a six-month siege by the Ottoman Empire, the knights are forced to leave Rhodes.
• 1530: The Order takes possession of the island of Malta, granted to them by Emperor Charles V.
• 1798: Napoleon occupies Malta, and the knights are expelled from the island.
• 1834: The Order settles permanently in Rome, where its headquarters remain today.

Sovereign status

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is considered a sovereign entity under international law, but it lacks territory. It is not a country, but it maintains diplomatic relations with over 100 states and has permanent observer status at the United Nations. The Order issues its own passports, license plates, coins, and postage stamps. Its two headquarters in Rome have extraterritorial status, meaning they are not subject to Italian law.

Organization and activities

• Motto: The Order's mission is summarized in its motto, "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum," which means "Nurturing, witnessing, and protecting the faith; and serving the poor and the sick".
• Membership: The Order consists of over 13,500 knights, dames, and chaplains. Many members are laypeople who do not take religious vows but are dedicated to Christian virtue and charity.
• Humanitarian Work: Through its worldwide relief corps, Malteser International, the Order provides humanitarian and medical aid in over 130 countries.
• Volunteer Corps: The Order relies on more than 100,000 permanent volunteers and 60,000 medical personnel to carry out its work.

Headquarters and other sites

• Magistral Palace (Rome): The seat of the Grand Master and the governing bodies, it enjoys extraterritorial status.
• Magistral Villa (Rome): Located on the Aventine Hill, it also has extraterritorial status and hosts the Grand Priory of Rome.
• Fort St. Angelo (Birgu, Malta): Under a 99-year lease agreement with Malta, the Order has limited extraterritorial use of the upper portion of this fort.