Order of Malta and UK establish official relations: Memorandum of Understanding signed
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office have formalised an important partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This agreement, signed on Wednesday 9th October by the Order of Malta’s Grand Chancellor and the United Kingdom Ambassador to the Holy See – in the presence of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ John Dunlap – highlights the shared commitment of both parties to collaborate on humanitarian efforts, emergency response, and international development.
“I am confident that this Memorandum will only enhance the already close bonds of friendship between the United Kingdom and the Sovereign Order of Malta, providing new occasions to work jointly for the fulfillment of our common objectives” stated the Grand Master.
The MOU outlines areas of cooperation aimed at strengthening bilateral dialogue on a range of critical issues, including crisis management, international humanitarian assistance, and disaster response. Key focus areas include public health, refugee assistance, climate adaptation, and third-country cooperation in providing humanitarian aid.
“I am confident that the new perspectives offered by this innovative instrument, such as a structural dialogue between our Foreign Ministries, the designation of Official Representatives and the possible implementation of joint humanitarian activities in third countries, will open a new chapter in the history of the long-standing relations existing between the United Kingdom and the Order of Malta”, stated the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Holy See Christopher Trott expressed his warm appreciation for the Memorandum of Understanding signed today and, in general, for the work of the Order of Malta, referring in particular to Ukraine and the Holy Land.
This is the latest milestone in a long history of cooperation between the Order of Malta and British authorities. In 2018, the then Prince of Wales, Charles, visited an Order of Malta project in Romania supporting over 100 underprivileged children of Roma origins.
The British arm of the Order, including the Grand Priory of England (established in 1144 and restored in 1993) and the British Association (established in 1875), continues to engage in charitable activities across the UK. These include pilgrimages, soup kitchens, and services like the “Order of Malta Dial a Journey” programme, which provides assisted transport for the disabled in central Scotland and a sponsoring partnership for over 60 care homes in five counties (the Orders of St John Care Trust – OSJCT).
The British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (BASMOM) was founded in 1875. The Association, as part of the OSJCT (Orders of St John Care Trust), participates in the operation of homes for the aged, in Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Arundel, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Currently there are over 60 homes, with some 3,500 residents, the Order being part of the organisation which is the largest provider of protected accommodation in the UK .
The Order has some 300 British members, many of whom are descended from recusant Catholic families and martyrs. Membership is by invitation, usually after work for the Order.