The Order of Malta
The Order of Malta
The Order of Malta, or more specifically, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta is a religious order of the Catholic church with a humanitarian mission. The birth of the Order dates back to around 1048 when Christians, visiting the Holy Land, gained permission to build a church, convent and hospital in Jerusalem where they were able to assist arriving pilgrims.
In addition, the Order of Malta is a subject of international law with a special status. It is not a separate state since it has no territory or population, nor an international organization because it was not created by the agreement between the states and does not pursue economic or political objectives. The Order of Malta has always been recognized as independent and neutral. This identity makes the Order of Malta a unique institution. The Order of Malta follows the old Latin motto: ‘Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum’, Witness of the faith and assistance to the poor. Its mission is to fight poverty, exclusion, diseases and loneliness. The 900 years humanitarian vocation of the Order of Malta’s is renewed daily in its hospitals, medical and social centres in over 120 countries The Order of Malta provides assistance for everyone who needs it. The institution also has well-organized emergency services in different parts of the world.
The Sovereign Order of Malta enjoys diplomatic relations with 110 countries and the European Union; it has Permanent observer status at the United Nations. The international Cooperation Agreements concluded with over 50 states, exist to facilitate its humanitarian activities, and allow unrestricted and protected access especially in crisis regions.
Diplomatic relations between the Order of Malta and the Republic of Lithuania were established on 9 July 1992.
The current Ambassador of the Order of Malta to the Republic of Lithuania H.E. Manfred Ritter Mautner von Markhof was accredited by the President Dalia Grybauskaitė on April 18, 2018.
The Ambassador is a Knight of the Order of Malta. He was born in 1952 in Vienna, studied in Vienna and Cambridge, holds master’s degree in social law.
Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Republic of Lithuania H.E. Manfred Ritter Mautner von Markhof with President Dalia Grybauskaitė