BERLIN/ROME -The German government's remarkable decision to establish diplomatic relations with a religious order will have its first anniversary in the next few days. During its last session prior to last year's parliamentary elections, the German cabinet chose to establish diplomatic relations with the Sovereign Order of Malta, thereby ostensibly valorizing this Catholic organization. The Order disposes of no genuine sovereign territory, is seen as an archconservative association of aristocrats, and has been repeatedly suspected of involvement in dubious financial transactions in Germany and elsewhere. It has proven, however, to be a useful tool for Berlin's foreign policy - with its medical emergency missions accompanying NATO operations or in regions of German interests, such as Syria and Northern Iraq. Within the Order, which is active on a global scale, the German Association has systematically risen in status over the past few years to assume leadership of the organization today.
A year ago, in its last session before parliamentary elections, the German cabinet ruled to grant diplomatic recognition to the Order of Malta - with its full name being the "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta." In mid-November, Sigmar Gabriel (SPD), Foreign Minister at the time, traveled to Rome, to formally seal the establishment of relations. Annette Schavan (CDU), former Minister of Education and, at the time, Ambassador to the Vatican, also became Germany's first ambassador to the Sovereign Order of Malta. Together with politicians of the CDU/CSU and the SPD, Schavan had been pushing for Berlin's recognition of the Order. (more...)
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