Cardinal Grand Prior celebrates 60th anniversary

His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination on 20 June. To mark this special occasion, His Eminence celebrated Mass at the historic Almo College Capranica in Rome, where he was a student and later President

On behalf of the knights and dames of the Constantinian Order, HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and Grand Master conveyed to Cardinal Martino his most sincere wishes for this important achievement.

The Delegate, Anthony Bailey, on behalf of the knights and dames of the Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland sent a message of congratulations to the Cardinal Grand Prior, expressing sincere thanks for the continued and longstanting spiritual support that His Eminence provides to the Constantinian Order worldwide.

The Delegate said: “We have been honoured by the presence of His Eminence at so many special events of our Delegation. I know many of our knights and dames across these islands join me in saluting our Grand Prior on his special day and thank him for the pastoral care and attention he has always shown to us.”

Cardinal Martino was appointed Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order in 2010. He 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 to 2002. Previously Cardinal Martino served from 1980 to 1986 as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.

In 2003 he was appointed as a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Cardinal Martino was invested as a Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice for Cardinals of the Constantinian Order in 12 February 1996 by decree of HRH Prince Ferdinando, Duke of Castro.