Rome. Magistral Villa. H.M.E.H. the Prince and Grand Master together with the Members of the Sovereign Council, during the allocution to the Diplomatic Corps in occasion of the solemn audience on 12th January.

For the traditional New Year's meeting with the Diplomatic Corps, His Most Eminent Highness had to point out that, despite the positive results achieved in some crisis areas, like Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Somalia, severe violations of human rights are still to be found in some countries, particularly in Algeria and Northern Ireland, threatening as always the lives and dignity of the weakest - children, women and the old. The Order has relied greatly on its Permanent Mission to the United Nations not only to combat these physical and moral atrocities but also to contribute with international initiatives in the fight against antipersonnel mines, desertification and the various crimes against humanity. However, it also has reason to be glad in other sectors, as some of its humanitarian initiatives in India, Haiti and Bethlehem have been chosen by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" to be included in "The Holy Father's 100 and more projects for the 2000 Jubilee".

Rome. Magistral Villa. The Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, H.E. Atembina Te Bombo, addresses his speech to H.M.E.H. the Prince and Grand Master in occasion of the greetings for the new year.

His Most Eminent Highness then recalled that, to prepare itself better for the future, the Order has reformed its Constitutional Charter and Code, albeit always adhering to the fundamental principles that have governed it over the centuries. Centuries which, now reaching the venerable number of nine, mean that the Order can start celebrations for its "Nine Centuries of Life" for all of 1999. These will start at the end of 1998 with ceremonies enabling Knights from all over the world to gather around the ideals of the Order and its founder, Blessed Gerard.

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