The Sovereign Order of Malta is a sovereign body as provided by international law. The Order – based in Rome, on via Condotti, has its own government, an independent magistracy, bilateral diplomatic relations with 104 countries and is granted the status of Permanent Observer in many international organisations such as the United Nations. Its operational activities are managed by the six Grand Priories, six Subpriories and 47 National Associations of Knights on five continents. The Order issues its own passports and stamps and creates public institutions, endowed with judicial autonomy. The Order’s day to day life is governed by a Constitution and Code, reformed in 1997.
The Grand Master governs the Order both as sovereign and religious head. He is elected for life, within the professed knights in perpetual vows. He is assisted by and presides over the Sovereign Council, which is composed of four high offices – Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller, and Receiver of the Common Treasure – as well as six other members, all elected by the Order’s Chapter General for a five-year term. The Council of Government and the Board of Auditors, whose compositions reflect the international character of the Order, assist the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council. The Chapter General also elects these two bodies for a five-year term.
The legal system of the Order is expressed by the usual division into three powers:
Legislative power
Rests with the Grand Master and Sovereign Council for non-constitutional matters; with the Chapter General, representing the Supreme Assembly of Knights, as far as constitutional rules are concerned.
Executive power
Rests with the Sovereign Council, chaired by the Grand Master and composed of ten Knights elected by the Chapter General.
Judicial power
It is exercised by the Magistral Courts of First Instance and of Appeal, composed of judges appointed by the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council from Order members of legal expertise. Rests with the Grand Master and Sovereign Council for non-constitutional matters; with the Chapter General, representing the Supreme Assembly of Knights, as far as constitutional rules are concerned.
More info on www.orderofmalta.int
I only have one QSL/QSO with 1A0KM on 20m SSB and would gladly donation to help with the July DX-Pedition. BUT the chance of me getting through the EU pile up and/or the USA East Coast out here in Texas is slim to none. For example I got one QSO with A5A while spending more than 12 hours a day trying, yet I had “friends” in Europe that worked them over 16 times! Is that fair? I will help with the expenses if I work you. sri ..tks ..73 frm TX .. rich/w4gkr/dk4gkr
GUD LUCK ES HPE FER GUD PROP TOO OM’S-VY NICE WEB PAGE WID FB PIX- W2MYA
Muy buena actividad la de fomentar el conocimiento de estos paises a traves de la radioaficion 73 cordiales desde caracas……..quisiera tener un banderin de ustedes………..a mi direccion de p.o.box en qrz.com
yv5chj
I spent 18 months on the Ialand of Rhodes where it all began. I was on the island from 1962 to 1964 and explored the buildings the Knight of Rhodes roamed. Some of the Greek ruins are 2000 years old!
Grid would be JN61fv
Greetings,
Max, DJ4EL