Sovereign Military Hospitaller
Order of St John of Jerusalem of
Rhodes and of Malta
Order of St John of Jerusalem of
Rhodes and of Malta
15/04/2024
Ambassador Visits Marian Shrine in Kenya
On 14 April, the Ambassador accompanied HE Ambassador Wilhelm von Trott zu Solz, Ambassador of the Order to Kenya and HE Archbishop +Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya on a pilgrimage visit to the Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians located at the Upper Hill section of Nairobi, Kenya and under the management of the Marian Shrine Spirituality Center (MSSC) part of the larger Salesian Don Bosco charism.
14/04/2024
Ambassador Attends White Ball of the Companions of the Order of Malta in Kenya
The Ambassador attended the inaugural White Cross Ball of the Order of Malta Companions of Kenya in Nairobi. Nearly one million Kenyan Shillings was raised and 100% of this amount will be directed toward our Lords the poor and the sick in Kenya; No admin fee, no overheads and no deductions. If you would like to join the quest of the Companions of Kenya and become more actively involved in what we do, or if you have a personal humanitarian project and need extra hands or funding, please let us know by emailing companionsofkenya@gmail.com. Check out some of our previous projects and see, first hand, how your generous donations are being utilised - Tangulbei Maternity Hospital , Waithaka Special School .
12/04/2024
Ambassador visits Malteser International Project AIWE Juba
As part of his official visit to South Sudan, the Ambassador was pleased to pay a visit to the Women Promotion Center in Juba and receive a demonstration of the fine work they are doing at the African Indigenous Women Empowerment (AIWE) project. This project is strengthening equal participation and socio-economic resilience among the vulnerable women in South Sudan. Funded through the financial support of Malteser International and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project is focused on business skills training and technical training in the field of baking and liquid soap making. This has led to improved access to financial resources, training on saving and loan groups and establishment of small saving and loan/ credit cooperative groups. More than this, the program has seen a marked rise in the self-esteem of the participants and a awareness of their rights. For more information please see their website- www.aiwess.org.
11/04/2024
Ambassador Meets with South Sudan’s Foreign Minister
In support of the official visit of HE Dr. Wilhelm von Trott zu Solz, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to South Sudan, HE Michael P. Murphy, KM, Permanent Representative to the African Union undertook a visit to His Excellency, Dr. James Pitia Morgan, PhD., Mister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the Republic of South Sudan. In the wide ranging meetings the role of the Order and Malteser International projects in the country were highlighted and the Minister thanked the Order for its support for the needy in South Sudan. After a positive discussion of accreditation of a South Sudanese Ambassador to the Grand Master, the Minister urged the Order to be deeply involved in peace building activities in the nation.
10/04/2024
Ambassador Undertakes Official Visit to South Sudan
In support of the official visit of HE Dr. Wilhelm von Trott zu Solz, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to South Sudan, HE Michael P. Murphy, KM, Permanent Representative to the African Union undertook an Official visit to South Sudan from 10-12 April. During the visit the Ambassadors met their colleagues, the Chargé d'Affairs of the Holy See, Monsignor Monsignor Lonut Paul, the Ambassador of the Untied States, HE Mr. Michael J. Adler and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, HE Mr. Christian Sedat. Additionally they paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Santo Loku Pio Doggale, Auxillary Bishop of the Diocese of Juba and had an informal meeting with HE Ambassador Stpehen Par Kuol, Minister of Peace Building and NTC Secretary General of South Sudan.
09/04/2024
Ambassador Guest at Order’s National Day Celebrations in Kenya
It was with a joyous heart that after 4 years we were able to celebrate our National Day on Monday, 8th April 2024, the day of the Annunciation. To start off the celebrations and receive blessings for the day, the Embassy held Holy Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Kitisuru, a beautiful and serene suburb with schools and places of worship located northwest of the central business district of Nairobi. Mass was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, H.E. Archbishop Hubertus van Megen and concelebrated by Fr. Cleophas Ushindi Tesha (parish priest), Fr. Thomas Nicholas Odhiambo (also from the parish), Fr. Maurizio Binaghi of Comboni Fathers and Fr. Stephen Mkagutu, OFM Cap, Assistant to the Permanent Observer of the Vatican to the United Nations Environment Programme. In his sermon and speaking from his heart, the Apostolic Nuncio reminded the congregation of the Order’s founding principles, summarized in the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”: nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith; and serving the poor and the sick. And how we all have to learn to accept people from all walks of life irrespective of their social or economic status and show compassion to those who are less fortunate in this world. Several members of the Diplomatic Corps, Companions of the Order and other invited guests honoured us by taking part in the Mass. The Embassy was represented by H.E. Ambassador Wilhelm von Trott zu Solz and his team. In attendance were also the Ambassador’s daughter, Princess Victoria zu Salm-Salm and H.E. Ambassador Michael Patrick Murphy, Permanent Representative of the Order to the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Special Envoy to East and South Africa. The highlight of the Holy Eucharist were the 240 children who joined the celebration with jubilant songs and dances. These youngsters were invited by the Embassy from two different centres: 1). the Daniel Comboni Vocational Training Centre for teenagers who have completed their rehabilitation (under the aegis of the Napenda Kuishi Rehabilitation Programme founded in 2006 as a concrete answer to the questions and challenges posed by the presence of street teens and youth in the Kariobangi and Korogocho informal settlements) and are trained in carpentry, Electrical Wiring, Plumbing, Welding and Masonry; 2). the Mother Margherita School in the informal settlement of Kawangware run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. After Mass, all the children were gifted a food parcel containing maize meal, all purpose flour, breakfast oats, cooking oil, beans, rice, sugar, tea and soap. Biscuits, milk and chocolates were also offered as snacks. The invited guests graciously joined the Embassy officials in handing out the food parcels to the happy and grateful children. In the evening a Reception was held at the Muthaiga Country Club where close to 100 invited guests graced the event with their presence. To welcome the guests were the Ambassador, his daughter Victoria, Dr. Franco De Paoli, the Deputy Head of Mission and his spouse Mrs. Marinella De Paoli. The venue was a conducive environment to a lively and friendly gathering where diplomats mingled with friends and supporters of the Order. As is customary on these occasions the Ambassador addressed the gathering explaining the environment in which nowadays the Sovereign Order has to operate: a world plagued by wars and conflicts, climate change and natural disasters which produce millions of refugees and displaced persons requiring support, shelter, food and health and psychological assistance. The Ambassador reminded the guests of the projects initiated with the Government of Kenya and local NGOs in the field of Health, Agriculture, Emergency management and also One Health. Malteser International is ever present to assist and implement required activities and now the Companions of the Order in Kenya, created three years ago, are committed to be closer to the Order and support its work with hands-on and financial means. The Guest of Honour was H.E. Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, who in turn shared encouraging words and appreciation for the humanitarian activities undertaken by the Order in Kenya. In everyone’s eyes, the National Day celebrations were beautifully organized and turned out to be an immense success!
22/03/2024
Ambassador Visits Irish Association
The Ambassador paid a courtesy visit to the Irish Association of the Order of Malta and Headquarters of the Irish Ambulance Corps in Dublin. He was received by Mr. Patrick Downes, KM, Chairman, Dr. Friedrich von Westerholt, KM, Hospitaller Ad Interim and Mr. John Byrne, Chief Executive Officer.
18/03/2024
Ambassador Visits Malteser International Headquarters
Upon the invitation of the Secretary General Clemens Graf von Mirbach-Harff, KM, and Deputy Secretary General Sophia Löwenstein, HE Ambassador Michael P. Murphy, KM paid a visit to the Headquarters of Malteser International in Cologne, Germany.
14/03/2024
Representation Celebrates the Anniversary of the Election of Pope Francis
Happy 11th anniversary, Holy Father! On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis was elected and asked the whole world to pray for him. On 13th of March the Ambassador and First Secretary attended a diplomatic reception held by His Excellency Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, Papal Nuncio to Ethiopia and the African Union. United in prayer with the Universal Church, we thank the Lord for his life and service.