Knights of Malta refuse to assist "irrelevant" papal probe
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Knights of Malta, the ancient Catholic lay order, is refusing to cooperate with a Vatican investigation into the sacking of a top official over a condom scandal — and is warning its members to toe the line if they do.
In a statement Tuesday, the Knights called Pope Francis' investigation legally "irrelevant" and aimed at limiting its sovereignty. It insisted that the Dec. 8 ouster of its grand chancellor, Albrecht von Boeselager, was an act of internal governance that in no way involves religious superiors.
Boeselager was suspended after he refused a demand by the top knight to resign over revelations that, under his watch, the order's charity branch distributed tens of thousands of condoms in Myanmar.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Boeselager was told the Holy See wanted him axed — something the Vatican has denied.