Last week the European Lieutenants met in Rome to discuss issues pertaining to the Order. Our very own Lieutenant, HE J Gaggero, KC*HS, was present at the European conference and took part in plenary sessions alongside fellow lieutenants from neighbouring territories. On speaking to the website team about the short trip to our Rome Headquaters, HE J Gaggero was significantly positive and expressed great enthusiasm about the whole experience. He is looking forward to sharing what he learned in Rome with the local Council and using the information also gained at the Consulta last year to help develop the Gibraltar Lieutenancy further.
A focal point of the meetings (a week ago in Rome) dealt with membership and the role of the Order in the Holy Land. At the heart of the mission of the Order is the spiritual and material support of the Latin Patriarchate. This is something that the members attending the pilgrimage later this year (October/November) will get to see first hand.
On a related note, it was announced that the Grand Master’s Secretary, Fr J Bateman, is coming to the end of his tenure. Fr J Bateman was given a surprise promotion to the rank of Knight Commander. Many of the local Knights and Dames will remember meeting Fr Bateman in Gibraltar two years ago when he accompanied HE Cardinal O’Brien to the Rock for our last installation of Knights and Dames. We wish Fr Bateman the very best for his next appointment and hope that we will see him again soon at one of the Order’s events. Fr J Bateman, KCHS, will be replaced by Father Maxim Baz, Lebanese this July.
Finally, we also wish the Governor General, Ambassador Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, a speedy recovery.
Deus lo vult!
The EOHSJGibraltar Team