Category: Grand Magistry Communications

Rome – December 2013. HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George was further honoured by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta at a ceremony hosted by the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, HMEH Frà Matthew Festing at the Magistral Palace in Rome. HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro and His Eminence Paolo Cardinal Sardi, Cardinal Patronus of the Order of Malta were also present§ during the occasion.

The Duke of Castro, a Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion since 2003 and a member of the Order of Malta since 1983, was invested by Grand Master Frà Festing with the insignia of a Grand Cross Special Class of the Order pro Merito Melitensi.

In his address Frà Festing said “The ceremony of today is the latest token of the warm and cordial ties which have existed for centuries between the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta….The Affinity between your family and our Order is also reflected in the friendly ties between the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and the Order of Malta. This is the result of our shared ideals which are aimed at providing assistance to the sick and the poor as an expression of our Faith and by alleviating the suffering of the victims of violence and natural disasters”.

In his speech the Duke of Castro thanked the Prince and Grand Master for this further recognition and remarked, “Our warm friendship, on a personal and institutional level, is one which I greatly value. The many centuries of cordial and brotherly relations between our two Orders are well known and appreciated…. And the fact that our respective Orders share members of both sides is also indicative of our shared commitment to serving the Universal Catholic Church, both on the national and international level”.

Following the ceremony, an official lunch was held in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Castro hosted by HMEH Frà Matthew Festing. Among those attending were HE the Venerable Bailiff Fra’ Carlo d’Ippolito di Sant’Ippolito, Grand Commander, HE Jean-Pierre Mazery, Grand Chancellor, HE Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, Grand Hospitalier, HE Marchese Gian Luca Chiavari, Receiver of the Common Treasure, and other members of the Sovereign Council of the Order of Malta including HE Frà John Dunlap, HE Frà Duncan Gallie, HE Frà Emmanuel Rousseau and HE Gian Luigi Magliocco di Brugneto.

The Prelate of the Order of Malta H.E. Monsignor Angelo Acerbi also attended together with HE Ambassador Alberto Leoncini Bartoli, Diplomatic Counsellor, HE Ambassador Barone Giulio di Lorenzo Badia, Diplomatic Counsellor, HE Ambassador Marchese Luigi Solari, Diplomatic Counsellor and Count Janos Esterhazy de Galantha, Secretary General of the Common Treasure.

The Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order was represented by HE Ambassador Nobile Guiseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General, HE Prince Don Sforza Ruspoli, Prince of Cerveteri, Delegate of Rome and Lazio and HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland.

To download the speech of HMEH Frà Matthew Festing click here.

To download the speech of the HRH The Duke of Castro click here.

To download the diploma click here.

For more information on the Sovereign Military Order of Malta please visit www.orderofmalta.int

Vatican City – December 2013. HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George was received by His Holiness Pope Francis during an audience held in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican City.

The audience was held to mark the 5th anniversary of Dignitatis Humanae Institute which HRH The Duke of Castro is Patron and which the Constantinian Order and several members of the Order’s British, Irish and Italian delegations are Fellows or supporters.

During the hour long audience the Duke of Castro presented the Holy Father with a DVD of a new documentary produced by the Constantinian Order entitled ‘In Hoc Signo Vinces – Il Labaro Costantiniano 1700 anni di storia’ which outlines the history of Emperor Constantine’s ‘Edict of Milan’ and which celebrated its 1700th anniversary in 2013.

HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro, was also received by Pope Francis and presented the Holy Father with the first copy of a limited edition book entitled “Iconografia Dell’Angelico Sagro e Militar Ordine Costantiniano di S. Giorgio dedicata alla Sacra Real Maestà di Ferdinando IV, Re delle Due Sicilie, Gran Maestro Dell’Ordine”. The book outlines illustratively the history of the Constantinian Order.

His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order and Honorary President of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute was in attendance together with other members of the Sacred College of Cardinals and Vatican City officials.

Among other Order members attending and received by the Holy Father were Mrs Eduarda Crociani Vesel, mother of HRH The Duchess of Castro, HE Ambassador Nobile Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the Royal House and former Italian Ambassador to the Holy See, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain and Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Fellow of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, Professor Roberto de Mattei, Cyril and Lorna Woods of Slane, Mr Nirj Deva DL, MEP, the Rev Fr Michael Seed, SA, Prof David Khalili, and Mr John Kennedy CBE DL.

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute is an international response to the rising militant anti-Christian secularism seen throughout the West today. It exists to promote the Gospel in the political sphere, through upholding and strengthening the Judaeo-Christian tenets of Western culture, always with respect and tolerance for those of different faith. It is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching and is ecumenical in composition.

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute has three main objectives. The first is to promote recognition of the reality that Man is made in the image and likeness of God. The second is to insist that this image and likeness is present in every single human person from conception until natural death. The third is to suggest with humility that the best means of authentically promoting this recognition is through the active participation of engaged Christians on the public stage.

The Holy Father highlighted to the audience what is at stake if we fail in our mission, warning of a modern-day “throwaway culture” that threatens to become the dominant mentality:

“The victims of such a culture are precisely the weakest and most fragile human beings – the unborn, the poorest people, sick elderly people, gravely disabled people… who are in danger of being “thrown out,” expelled from a machine that must be efficient at all costs. This false model of man and society embodies a practical atheism, de facto negating the Word of God that says: ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.”

To download a copy of the Holy Father’s speech click here.

For more information on the Institute please visit www.dignitatishumanae.com

Tirana- December 2013. His Excellency Lulzim Basha, Mayor of the City of Tirana, presented the highest municipal award of the Albanian capital city – the ‘Gratitude of Tirana’ – to HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and HE Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino.

The citation to HRH The Duke of Castro which was read out by Mayor Basha said: “The Gratitude of Tirana is awarded to His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master, in recognition of his personal merits and those of the internationally recognised Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George which over many centuries has fostered the growth of religious, charitable, humanitarian and hospitaller assistance to those most in need across the world. This award is made conscious of the historic ties which exist between Albania and southern Italy since the time of Albania’s national hero Skanderbeg, and as a mark of esteem and illustration of the high regard which the City of Tirana holds for your ancient office as Grand Master and as Head of the Royal House of Naples. This award further recognises the contribution you have made and will make to furthering more meaningful and mutually beneficial relations between our two institutions and our two noble peoples and nations.”

The citation to HE Cardinal Martino which was read out by Mayor Basha said: “The Gratitude of Tirana is awarded to His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, On the Second Day of December, Two Thousand and Thirteen, in recognition of his personal merits and those in his capacity as Cardinal Grand Prior of the internationally recognised Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George which over many centuries has fostered the growth of religious, charitable, humanitarian and hospitaller assistance to those in need across the world. This award further recognises his lifetime global contribution to justice and peace in his capacity as President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace for the Holy See and as the Holy See’s representative for over nineteen years at the United Nations. This award recognises the contribution Cardinal Martino has made and will make to furthering more meaningful and deeper relations between the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith communities of Albania, Italy and the wider world.”

The hour long visit which included private talks before the ceremony was held at City Hall in the centre of Tirana and was attended by senior City officials including the Mayor, Deputy Mayors and other departmental chiefs.

During the talks the Mayor thanked the Constantinian Order for its charitable and humanitarian support in Tirana over the past 10 years and especially for its global activities in inter-religious matters.

Among previous recipients of this award were: Hillary Clinton, Feim Ibrahimi, Lord Mayor of London Sir David Gifford, Johanna Neumann and the Emir of Qatar.

Following the ceremony a formal lunch hosted by the Mayor of Tirana in honour of the delegation took placer at ABA 21 restaurant. Among those attending were HE Mr. Lulzim Basha, Mayor of Tirana, HRH Crown Prince Leka Zogu II, Deputy Mayor Mrs. Nevila Xhindi, Deputy Mayor Mr Enno Bozdo, Mr Etion Kapedani, General Administrator, Mrs Greta Deljani Chief of Staff.

Among those attending from the Constantinian Order were HRH The Duke of Castro, HE Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, HE Ambassador Nobile Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the Royal House, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain & Ireland and Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations, Dr Alberto Janelli, Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of Castro and delegation members Cyril and Lorna Woods of Slane and Mr and Mrs Nadhmi Auchi.

The Ambassadors of the Italy, United Kingdom and Hungary accredited to and resident in the Republic of Albania were also present.

To download the Speech of HRH The Duke of Castro click here.

To download the Speech of HE Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino click here.

Tirana – December 2013. On the occasion of the visit to Albania of the Grand Master and Grand Prior, His Excellency Mr Bujar Nishani, President of the Republic of Albania, held an investiture ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Tirana. This event celebrated the centuries old historic ties between Albania and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and the Royal House of Naples.

HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, was presented with Albania’s highest national honour – the Order of George Kastrioti Scanderbeg ‘In high recognition of his rich social, philanthropic and humanitarian activity and for his conspicuous and successful personal engagement in administering charitable, humanitarian and spiritual activity of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George’.

HE Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino received the Order of George Kastrioti Scanderbeg “In recognition of his rich and successful career, of the unceasing activity and immense human and intellectual courage in service of peace, justice and fight against violence everywhere in the world.”

HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon of Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro was awarded The Order of Mother Teresa “For her notable humanitarian and charitable acts. A distinguished figure that has continuously supported the charitable and humanitarian associations and institutions including UNICEF and Red Cross.”

The Constantinian delegation also received the following awards: HE Ambassador Giuseppe Balboni Acqua and HE Mr Anthony Bailey were awarded The Order of George Kastrioti Scanderbeg, HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg Mrs Anthony Bailey was awarded The Order of Mother Teresa, and Mr Nadhmi Auchi and Cyril Woods, Baron of Slane was awarded The Order for Special Civil Merits.

Many national state, religious, municipal, parliamentary and diplomatic personalities witnessed the occasion.

Before the ceremony HRH The Duke of Castro, HE Cardinal Martino, HE Ambassador Balboni Acqua and HE Anthony Bailey attended a private meeting and talks with the Albanian Head of State, the First Lady and their key advisers.

Following the ceremony an official dinner was held at the “Sofra e Ariut” traditional restaurant in honour of the Constantinian Order delegation which was attended by over 100 persons including the President and First Lady of Albania, the Mayor of Tirana, HRH Crown Prince Leka II Zogu, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, ambassadors and heads of international NGO’s. Delegate Anthony Bailey offered a Vote of Thanks at the conclusion of the dinner on behalf of the Constantinian Order.

To download the Speech of HE Mr Bujar Nishani, President of the Republic of Albania click here.

To download the Speech of HRH The Duke of Castro click here.

To download the Speech of HE Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino click here.

Tirana – December 2013. HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master and His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior, headed a high level delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian to Albania from 2-3 December 2013.

His Royal Highness arrived at the VIP terminal of Tirana’s Mother Tereza International Airport and was received by high level state, official and diplomatic representatives.

On 2 December 2014 the Grand Master and Grand Prior delegation visited a number of dignitaries including HE Mr Bujar Nishani, President of the Republic of Albania, HE Mr Lulzim Basha, Mayor of Tirana and Leader of the Opposition, HE Prof Dr Sali Berisha, former President and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, HRH Crown Prince Leka Zogu II, Mr Selim Buca, Head of the Muslim Community and Baba Edmond Brahimaj, Spiritual Head of the Bektashi Order. The Duke and Cardinal visited numerous places of interest including the historic Et’hem Bey Mosque.

On 3 December 2014 the delegation paid courtesy calls on HE Massimo Gaiani, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Albania, HE Archbishop Rrok Mirdita, Catholic Archbishop of Durrës-Tiran , and the Primate of Albania and the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church His Eminence Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania.

During the visit the Duke and Cardinal laid flowers at the Tomb of the National Soldiers and also in the Royal Mausoleum of the Albanian Royal Family.

At the conclusion of the visit the Grand Master and Grand Prior visited the historic city of Kruja with its panoramic views of the Adriatic coast line and home to the Castle and Museum of Skanderbeg which featured many historic documents outlining the close ties between the Royal House of Naples and Albania.

Among those accompanying the Grand Master and the Grand Prior on the visit to Albania where HE Ambassador Nobile Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the Royal House, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain & Ireland and Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations, Dr Alberto Janelli, Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of Castro and delegation members Cyril and Lorna Woods of Slane and Mr and Mrs Nadhmi Auchi.

Naples, 26 October 2013. On Friday 25th and Saturday, October 26, 2013 HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon was in the city of Naples, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies where his ancestors were sovereigns until 1861.

On the Friday, the Local Delegation of the Knights and Dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George held a solemn Mass at the Pontifical and Royal Basilica of San Francesco di Paola overlooking the Royal Palace in, Piazza del Plebiscito, followed by the grand opening of a clinic for the Poor in Naples.

The Marquis Don Pierluigi Sanfelice di Bagnoli, a member of the Royal Deputation of the Treasure of San Gennaro and CEO of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies Naples and Campania, organized a dinner for the evening in the presence of the Prefect of Naples, the President of the Region, the General Commander of the Interregional Forces DC, the Admiral Harbour Master and other local authorities.

On the morning of Saturday, October 26 HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies visited the Basilica of Santa Chiara for a private tribute to the tombs of his parents and of the previous monarchs of his dynasty. He was escorted by the Guard of Honour at the Royal Tombs (an association of volunteers who perform a service of honor and order at the Chapel of the Royal Tombs).

In the afternoon, then His Royal Highness attended a series of events to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Movement Neoborbonico.

The Movement Neoborbonico is a great cultural association comprising of thousands of people from the regions of Southern Italy, which formed the territories of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, as well as some very distinguished names in the world of culture, art, journalism and from the national institutions.

Thousands of cheering participants welcomed Prince Charles and celebrated through his various activities.

At the General Headquarters of the Fire Department , His Royal Highness received homage by the Marching Band in the historic Bourbon Uniform and met the regional hierarchies of this ancient body devoted to the action of rescue and civil aid. Subsequently, the Prince visited the famous club “Historical Archives” which hosts an exhibition entitled ” History – Stories ” in the presence of the famous journalists Pino Aprile and Lorenzo Del Boca holding a conference. The evening continued at the ” Salvo D’Acquisto ” Theatre (600 seats sold about 100 seats standing,) where nationally renowned artists took turns to celebrate the Titles and Records of Southern Italy, and where take the first edition of ” Prize of the Two Sicilies ” for the excellence of the South has taken place (culture, music, theater, sports, entrepreneurship).

Rome, 8 October 2013. His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the last reigning Roman Catholic monarch in Africa, was invested as a Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.

His Majesty’s investiture into the Constantinian Order took place at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Italian Republic in Rome and was conducted by His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. The investiture took place as part of the wider visit of the southern african monarch official visit to His Holiness Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City.

Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho attended the ceremony together with senior ministers of His Majesty’s Government in Lesotho.

The Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order was represented by His Excellency Ambassador Nobile Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, OBE, GCSS, Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Dr Alberto Calafato Janelli, Private Secretary to TRH the Duke and Duchess of Castro.

In his speech, HE Mr Anthony Bailey outlined the reasons for the granting of the awards: “Your Majesty’s faith inspired contribution to furthering the constitutional and peaceful transition to coalition government, Your dedication to promote the principals of your Roman Catholic faith, your efforts to promote inter-religious harmony among the followers of all faiths in Lesotho and in recognition of your dynasty and your Government’s leadership in promoting public service and charitable endeavour are among the reasons for the Grand Master decision to grant you this singular high honour.” Click here to download HE Mr Anthony Bailey’s full speech.

In his acceptance speech the King of Lesotho paid tribute to the work of the Constantinian Order and made special reference to its activities in the field of charity, humanitarian and hospitaller assitance. The King, who celebrated his 50th birthday in 2013, invited the Grand Master and other senior figures of the Constantinian Order to visit Lesotho and to launch further programmes of charitable activities in his country. The Grand Master and His Majesty spoke by telephone after the ceremony.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho, HE Hon Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, offered a vote of thanks and paid tribute to the work of the Constantinian Order and thanked it for recognising the efforts which the Monarchy and the Lesotho Government has undertaken in the country through its social and humanitarian programmes. Among such programmes being Sentebale which was established by the King of Lesotho’s brother, HRH Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso and HRH Prince Henry of Wales.

Following the investiture ceremony which was attended by over 80 leading Italian, Lesotho and African personalities, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Italian Republic hosted a luncheon in honour of the King and Queen and Cardinal Martino.

The following awards were also granted by decree of the Grand Master.

– His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George

– The Right Honourable Motsoahae Thomas Thabane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I

– The Honourable Mothejoa Metsing, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I

– The Honourable Thesele ‘Maseribane, Minister of Gender and Youth, Sport and Recreation of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Knight Commander of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George

Palermo, 17 September 2013 – A delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George comprising of the Vice Delegate for Sicily Antonio Di Janni and the Knights Vincenzo Nuccio and Carmelo Sammarco, was received at the initiative of the Friars Minimum of Palermo, in the parish of St. Francis of Paola by the Bishop of the Diocese of Idiofa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo His Most Reverend Eminence Archbishop Jose Moko Ekanga. Present at the meeting were the Palermo “Minimi” Friars Don Saverio Cento and Don George Terrasi, while Doctor Di Janni presented the illustrious guest with the commemorative medal of the seventeenth centenary of the Edict of Constantine (313-2013) and some publications of the Order. Topics of the meeting were the work carried out by Monsignor Ekanga and the delegation’s pledge and commitment to the initiatives of the Minori Friars to the African diocese The delegations had already sent pharmaceuticals and 30 televisions to Congo on previous occasions. The occasion was concluded with Mass being celebrated by Monsignor Ekanga and concelebrated by the parish priest Father Xavier.

London, 7 June 2013. A special investiture ceremony took place in London on 7 June 2013 which marked the formal exchange of honours between the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and the Republic of Colombia.

The current and 59th Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, presented the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star within the Special Category of the Constantinian Order to His Excellency Mr Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of the Republic of Colombia.

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