Rettungsgriff oder Übergriff?

Eine kirchenrechtliche und -politische Einordnung des des „Decreto per il Sovrano Militare Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanni di Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta (S.M.O.M.)“ vom 3. September 2022

Abstract

This article is a first analysis of the „Decreto per il Sovrano Militare Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanni die Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta (S.M.O.M.)“, by which Pope Francis on 3 September 2022 removed the acting Government of the Sovereign Order of Malta from office, and appointed new Government members and approved and promulgated a new Carta Costituzionale (Constitution) and a new Codice (Code) of the Order. The author examines the wording of the respective Motu proprio in its’ original Italian version and looks into the legal and political implications. As it turns out the Motu proprio is a further example illustrating Pope Francis‘ inclination for swift individual case decision; and it also shows how Papal supremacy and roman centralism is extended.