14 Comments

It is not the Sacred Military Order of Malta. SMOM stands for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The “sovereignty” seems to be in question. Cardinal Tomasi in his interview with Edward Pentin of the National Catholic Register answered a question about sovereignty. See: https://www.ncregister.com/news/cardinal-tomasi-discusses-the-reforms-to-the-order-of-malta

He says sovereignty is not in question.

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Great reporting, thank you. I thought There was some prior commentary about the Pope needing to be cautious in exercising control over the Knights lest he jeopardize the Holy Sees sovereignty.

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The "Dictator Pope" rings a bell.

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When there’s a dispute among a parish group, I’d readily say “figure it out yourselves and let me know what you decide.” At 85 years old the Holy Father wants to micromanage? I really think there’s got to be some advisor behind the scenes who is pulling the strings.

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Gee - what a surprise.

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All you need are some mysterious disappearances and a few bodies found in murky graves to make this storyline a compelling conspiracy movie starring Ed. Condon as the investigative journalist…particularly if one could create a story about a prophecy made 995 years ago that is coming to fruition now.

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Seriously, do you have any plans to discuss how money and resources affect the situation? The Edward Pentin article referred to earlier referred to money obliquely but it appears there could be more to that.

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This all stems from Francis's original, ill-judged and cruel, intervention in the order. Using the German Order's desire to oust Fra Andrew Festing as a lever to access the Orders substantial funds

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His Holiness has already badly managed his curtailing of the Old Rite. The man who wants a "synodal" Church sure seems to be doing quite the opposite. May God forgive him.

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