THE GRAND MASTER'S MESSAGE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ORDER

I wish all members of the Order a very happy Christmas and serene New Year. The past year has not been too peaceful, and we have seen some dramatic and unfortunate happenings: what has affected us closely is the severe damage sustained by our maternity home in Bethlehem, which was hit by shells, causing a lot of harm, fortunately without casualties.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

His Most Eminent Highness, Fra’ Andrew Bertie, has proclaimed that December 8th, 2001, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, shall be a day of prayer for peace in the world in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

AID TO THE POPULATION OF BELIZE AFTER THE HURRICANE OF 8TH OCTOBER

After hurricane Iris struck Belize on Monday Oct. 8th an humanitarian relief operation has been organized as a joint effort led by SMOM Ambassador to Belize, Thomas F. Carney, Jr., which included support from the Honduran Association SMOM, AmeriCares, the American Association SMOM, the Honduran Government, the Belize Government and the British Expeditionary Forces in Belize.

THE DIPLOMACY OF THE ORDER OF MALTA INTERVENE IN FAVOUR OF THE HOSPITAL

The dramatic situation of the Order's Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem has driven the Order of Malta diplomacy into action. On request of the Association des OEuvres Hospitalières Françaises de l'Ordre de Malte, the French Foreign Ministry intervened with the Israeli government. The President of the Federal Association of the Order of Malta in the U.S. hand delivered at his home a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, protesting Israeli actions against our maternity.

THE HOSPITAL IS STILL UNDER FIRE

During the night of 25 October, three Israeli shells landed on the grounds of the Order of Malta Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, Palestine. One of them landed at the entrance of the hospital and hit the car of the gynecologist on call, causing major damage to the rear of his car and spraying the glass panels of the spiral staircase with shrapnel.

THE ORDER OF MALTA HOSPITAL IN BETHLEHEM SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGES FROM THE LAST DAYS BATTLE

During the early afternoon of the 24 October, an Israeli tank stopped at the intersection in front of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, Palestine, turned is tower towards the entrance of the hospital and opened fire with is machine-gun. Bullets hit the entrance shed where the French and the Holy See flags where flying. Bullets struck through the main door hitting the walls in the area around the telephone operator, others crashed through the second door and missed employees and patients who where standing there. Thank to God nobody was hurt. During this incident, the new Palestinian Governor and the Mayor of Bethlehem, together with a delegation, who where looking at the damage of the previous days, where trapped with the staff of the hospital for more than an hour.

JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS OF 11 SEPTEMBER 2001

The Alliance Orders of St. John together with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta issued the following statement during their meeting at The Hague, Netherland, on October, 12th 2001 in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11th 2001.

THE ORDER OF MALTA IS PREPARING HELP FOR AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES

Today the ECOM President, Mr. de Cock de Rameyen, in coordination with the Grand Hospitaller of SMOM, Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, has decided to prepare possible relief actions for Afghanistan-refugees.

MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY OF THE GRAND MASTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES, GEORGE W. BUSH

Charged by His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master Fra’ Andrew Bertie, the Grand Chancellor, Carlo Marullo di Condojanni, has sent today to the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Holy See, James Nicholson, a letter with a message of solidarity to the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

THE CONDOLENCES OF THE ORDER FOR THE TRAGEDY THAT HAS HIT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Sovereign Order of Malta offers its condolences to the American People whilst inviting all its members to pray for the souls of the victims of this tragedy that has hit the United States. His Highness the Grand Master has sent messages of condolences to the America authorities.