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Over many centuries the Constantinian Order has played an important role in defending the Roman Catholic faith. Successive Popes since the 12th century have issued Papal Bulls concerning the Order, its religious activities and function. The Pope and the Church has also expressed their gratitude and benevolence in many other ways during this long and historic relationship between the Order and the See of Saint Peter.Significantly, the Papal Bull ‘Militantis Ecclesiae’ of...
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Since the annexation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to the newly created Kingdom of Italy in 1861, various attempts by the reigning House of Savoy of Italy to annex the Order were made, but rejected by Pope Pius IX (1846-1878).Following the death of Francis II, last King of the Two Sicilies, and the succession of his half brother, Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta, Duke of Castro, and Grand Master from 1892 –1934, the Order continued to enjoy excellent relations with...
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In 1922 Pope Pius XI (left) began his pontificate and priority was given above all else to the delicate negotiations between Italy and the Holy See concerning the establishment of what became the sovereign Vatican City State. (Since the forced annexation of the Papal States in 1870 to the Kingdom of Italy, the Pope was a virtual prisoner within the walls of the Vatican).Further attempts were made by the then Italian Prime Minister, Benito Mussolini (below) to annex the...
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Yet the failure of the Pope to appoint a Cardinal Protector did not in anyway affect the religious role of the Order, and following the signing of the 1929 Concordat which created the Vatican City State, many Cardinals, including the new Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, became a Bailiff of the Constantinian Order.Pope Pius XII (left) who pontificate lasted from 1939 to 1958 was a Bailiff of the Constantinian Order. Numerous other Cardinals, Archbishops...
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Today over twenty five members of the Sacred College of Cardinals are senior ecclesiastical knights of the Constantinian Order of St George and play an important spiritual role on both a local as well as international level within the Order.Several Cardinals in addition to their membership of the Constantinian Order also fulfil the role of Prior to a local or national delegation of the Order. One cardinal is also chosen by the Grand Master to serve as Grand Prior and thereby the spiritual...
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Today many diocesan and titular archbishops throughout Italy and overseas are senior ecclesiastical members of the Constantinian Order of St George and play an important spiritual role on both a local as well as international level within the Order.Among those who are currently members of the Constantinian Order are:HE The Most Rev Mgr Ottorino Pietro Alberti, Archbishop Emeritus of Cagliari, HE The Most Rev Mgr Angelo Bagnasco, Cardinal-Priest of Gran...
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In November 2003 Pope John Paul II (left) formally appointed His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, as his Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Constantinian Order under the grandmastership of HRH Prince Ferdinando of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro. This was a significant act of formal recognition between the Holy Father and the Order. In confirming the appointment, His Eminence Angelo, Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State of the Vatican City State (right) stated...
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His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, following the death of His late Holiness Pope John Paul II automatically continued as Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Constantinian Order under the new pontificate of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI until His late Eminence’s own death in October 2006.
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In 2008, His Eminence Albert, Cardinal Vanhoye, SJ, was appointed by HRH The Duke of Castro as Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order. The Cardinal remained in post until his appointment in 2010 as Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Royal House of Bourbbon Two Sicilies as Grand Prior Emeritus.
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In 2010, His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, SJ, was appointed by HRH The Duke of Castro as Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order.Cardinal Martino served from 2002-2009 as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and as President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples from 2006 to 2009.His Eminence served as the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations from 1986-2002. Previously His...
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Today the Constantinian Order and Apostolic See maintain an excellent spiritual relationship together. Its worldwide membership from Cardinals to lay members fulfils the religious requirements of membership.It is the primary duty of the knights and dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order to live as true, exemplary Christians, and to dedicate themselves to any activity or endeavour that fosters the growth of religious principles among mankind, co-operating in every manner with the...
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Throughout the world knights and dames participate in the spiritual activities of the Order. This includes regular attendance at mass especially on key feast days such as Saint George (23 April) and the Glorification of the Cross (14 September.On occasions the Constantinian Order, headed by the Grand Master and his wife, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Castro, (above & below) participate in major Order events in the Vatican City and presided over by the current Pontiff and...
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The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, HRH Prince Ferdinando, Duke of Castro (left) announced in April 2006 the appointment of a Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious relations. The position continues under the current Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.This current delegate is HE Mr Anthony Bailey. The post is based within the Grand Magistry in Rome and report directly to the Grand Master and the Royal Deputation. The activities of the delegate have...
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