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Order of Malta Australia

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta wishes to point out the proliferation all over the world of bodies and associations which, using symbols and names not unlike those of the Order of Malta, are trying in every measure to represent themselves as legitimate and recognised orders of Saint John.

These organisations have no connection whatsoever with the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta whose institutional seat is located in Rome, at Via Condotti 68, and which maintains bilateral diplomatic relations with over 100 States and the European Union, and has permanent observer status at the United Nations. The Sovereign Order of Malta does not recognise any historical or legal legitimacy in organisations and associations that take advantage of the names and emblems of the Order of Malta by using them for financial ends.

RECOGNITION BY THE HOLY SEE

The Order of Malta (Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John, of Rhodes and of Malta) is the only Order of St John/Knights of St John/Knights of Malta recognised by the Holy See

Note of clarification from the Vatican Secretariat of State

 

ABOLISHMENT OF ORTHODOX RUSSIAN GRAND PRIORY

Official Statement from the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, on the activities of organizations which falsely refer to themselves as the “Order of Malta” or “Order of St. John of Jerusalem.”

 

CHECKING AUTHENTICITY

Caution is strongly recommended when considering proposals or appeals from organisations claiming to be the Order of Malta or an Order of Saint John.

Please have their authenticity confirmed by one of the Grand Priories, National Associations or Embassies of the Sovereign

Order of Malta accredited in their respective countries. For a complete list of the Order’s entities their contact details please visit the ‘Contacts’ section of our international web site.

Useful resources relating to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta

  • Recognition as a sovereign entity under international law with the ability to issue passports
  • Formal diplomatic relations with over 100 countries
  • Multilateral relations with the United Nations, European Union and other international organisations including permanent observer missions to the United Nations (New York, Geneva, Vienna) and its specialised agencies
  • Alliance of the Order of St John – An official Alliance of the Order of St John also exists, which together with the Order of Malta, recognises four other international Orders of St John as orders of knighthood with the same historic tradition and mission
  • Register of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry – In further support of the Order’s legitimacy, the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry notes the Order as the only recognised order with the style of ‘Sovereign’. No other orders of St John, other than those of the Alliance, are recognised.

The Australian Association

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.