Vatican City, Jan 17, 2017 / 09:28 am
In the latest development in an ongoing feud between the Vatican and the Knights of Malta, the Holy See has issued a statement affirming their support for the Order and their work, but saying they expect full cooperation with an investigation into the dismissal of the Knights' former Grand Chancellor.
"In relation to the events of recent weeks concerning the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Holy See wishes to reiterate its support and encouragement for the commendable work that members and volunteers carry out in various parts of the world," a Jan. 17 statement from the Vatican read.
However, it is for the "support and advancement" of the Order's essential mission in service of the poor, sick, and the defense of the faith that the Holy See voiced a reaffirmation of "its confidence" in the five member group appointed by Pope Francis "to inform him about the present crisis of the Central Direction of the Order."
The Vatican said it also "rejects, based on the documentation in its possession, any attempt to discredit these members of the group and their work."