The possible departure of Cardinal Arthur Roche from the Dicastery for Divine Worship has once again focused attention on his link with the Order of Malta, a consolidated institutional relationship that helps contextualize the reports that position him as a potential patron of the institution.
Roche’s name has begun to circulate in Italian media as a possible successor to Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda at the head of the Order’s patronage, a position that acts as a link between the Holy See and this historic entity with its own legal personality and international projection.
A recognized member within the Order
Roche is not a stranger to the Order of Malta. He has been a member since 2016, which places him within its structure as an integral part of the institution.
His relationship with the current leadership of the Order became especially evident in January 2023, when Fra’ John Dunlap - then Lieutenant of the Grand Master and today the highest authority - personally bestowed upon him the insignia of Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion, one of the highest distinctions.
In this context, Il Giornale highlights the existence of a fluid relationship between Dunlap and Cardinal Arthur Roche, a fact that gains relevance in light of the rumors about his possible transfer to the Order.
The role of the patron of the Order of Malta
The patron of the Sovereign Order of Malta is the representative of the Holy See to the institution and plays a relevant role in the spiritual accompaniment of the Order and in its relations with the Vatican.
This position involves safeguarding the spiritual interests of the Order, as well as fostering communion with the Church and the correct interpretation of its ecclesial identity within a singular institutional framework, given the sovereign nature of the entity.
Currently, the position is held by Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, appointed in 2023 after playing a key role in the reform of the Order promoted during the previous pontificate.
His profile, closely linked to the legal field and restructuring processes, has marked a transitional stage in the institution.
The Order of Malta as a curial destination
Roche’s eventual transfer as patron of the Sovereign Order of Malta fits into a known dynamic within the Roman Curia.
On various occasions, this position has been occupied by cardinals who left more significant responsibilities in the central structure of Church governance.
One of the most cited precedents is that of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, appointed patron after having held relevant positions in the Curia.
Although his situation responded to a different context, marked by more explicit doctrinal tensions, the institutional scheme presents similarities: a destination with formal recognition, but away from the core of decision-making.
In this sense, Roche’s connection with the Order of Malta is interpreted in some circles as a possible fit within that pattern, that is, a transition to a relevant institutional position, although located outside the front line of curial governance.