VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Apr. 26, 2017
VATICAN CITY
The leadership of the Knights of Malta has recommended that the members of the order voting to elect its new leader decline to appoint a new permanent head of the group. It has asked instead that they consider electing a temporary leader with a one-year appointment.
Knights were informed of the recommendation Tuesday in an email from the order’s headquarters, which was obtained by NCR. The email included a lengthy opinion from the order’s juridical council that the members voting in the election have the possibility of deciding to elect only a temporary leader.
The Knights of Malta, a prestigious chivalric order founded in the 11th century, is holding an election for its new leader Saturday. The order’s previous leader, Briton Matthew Festing, resigned Jan. 25 following months of tension between the order and the Vatican.
The leader of the order is known as its Grand Master and is normally given a life appointment.
Several Italian language reports indicate that Pope Francis asked the order to consider the possibility of electing a temporary leader. Website Faro di Roma reports that Francis will be meeting at the Vatican Wednesday afternoon with some of the members taking part in the election.
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