Share

The new Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta about his worldwide work and the role of Malteser International 

 

H.E. Dr. Josef D. Blotz was appointed Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta on February 18, 2025. He is a former Major General of the German Army. In his last position, he served as Deputy Commander of the Eurocorps in Strasbourg (France). Dr. Blotz‘s responsibilities as Grand Hospitaller are similar to those of a Minister of  Health, Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action, and International Cooperation. He coordinates and supervises the initiatives of the Grand Priories, National Associations, and other entities of the Order around the world involved in charitable and humanitarian actions. He ensures especially that Christian principles of care and human dignity are respected. The Grand Hospitaller also serves as the Patron of Malteser International, is a member of the Malteser International General Assembly, and invited to attend all meetings of the Malteser International Board of Directors.

 

Your Excellency, how did you come to join the Order of Malta, and what makes the Order so special?  

In the early 1990s, I met several Knights of the Order, and a year later I was given the opportunity to take part in the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes organized by the Order of Malta Delegation in the Archdiocese of Cologne. That experience changed my life. Being admitted to the German Association, also in Cologne, and later being elected to the Sovereign Council just over two years ago were certainly key milestones. But even more formative were the impressions I gained in Lourdes and at home of the lived charism of the Order, our very DNA: “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”*.  

When I am asked what will hold the Order and its many works and services together for another thousand years, despite all the inevitable changes, I answer: It is not structures, strategies, constitutions, or social comfort zones. It is the poor and the sick. They, and our service to them, are what make the Order of Malta so special and so enduringly relevant.  

 

What experiences from your time in the German Armed Forces and the Eurocorps support you in your current role?  

As a soldier, one is inherently committed to the ethos of service – especially in challenging situations. This is something that is also expressed right at the begin ning of the Prayer of the Order: “Lord Jesus, thou hast seen fit to enlist me for thy service in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.” This idea, combined with many years of experience working in international contexts – often in crisis and conflict zones – helps me greatly in carrying out the complex responsibilities of the Grand Hospitaller. This role, too, requires effective communication and action in international and often highly complex operational environments.  

 

What are your current strategic priorities?  

In short: improving communication and coordination across our global works and services – our unique net work of the Order. That’s why I travel extensively. As Grand Hospitaller, I can also help draw additional awareness to our projects through these visits.

My key areas of focus include our humanitarian aid in Ukraine, the Holy Land – with the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem and the medical project in Gaza – and strengthening our disaster response capacities. The recent earthquake in Myanmar showed just how important good preparation is, and how reliably Malteser International responds. That makes MI one of my most significant supports in carrying out the role of Grand Hospitaller.  

 

What was your first contact with Malteser International like, what were your impressions?

As a member of the Sovereign Council of the Order since the beginning of 2023 and now even more so as Grand Hospitaller, I have maintained intensive contact with MI. The Gaza project, one of my priorities, has always been at the forefront. In Cologne, in the Holy Land, but also far beyond, I have repeatedly met incredibly passionate, experienced Malteser International employees who are imbued with the idea of service. I have great respect for their work, which deserves our sustained support.

 “These times and challenges, here and now, are our calling. We are called to respond without hesitation. Malteser International with its global network, its dedicated and experienced staff, and its deep roots in our Order can be seen as a pioneer in this regard.” 

Why is the work in Gaza a priority project for you?  

Together with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, we are addressing immense humanitarian needs with the Gaza project. The war affected people are in a situation that many people can no longer really grasp from the news and have come to regard as hopeless. We are currently lay ing the groundwork for a container clinic to provide basic medical care. However, to move forward with the next concrete steps, we urgently need an improved security situation, open borders, and additional funding. There is always hope: We must not forget the people in the Holy Land, where the roots of our Order lie.  

 

The current global situation is complex and challenging. How can the Order of Malta respond? 

We must respond to challenges stra tegically and proactively. Protracted crises, growing numbers of people in need, and increasing skepticism about the value and impact of humanitarian aid – these are realities we face. Across all our works, we are responding by continuously developing our concepts and structures. Only then can we truly say: We are modern by tradition.  

As much as we might wish to serve our neighbors in more peaceful and less critical times, this, here and now, is our calling. We are called to respond, without hesitation. Malteser International, with its global network, its passionate and experienced staff, and its deep roots in our centuries-old Order, can be seen as a pioneer in this regard. Our charism – “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”* – is also a unique feature that sets MI apart from many other humanitarian NGOs. Even in many non-Christian cultures, this holistic approach, grounded in faith, builds trust and opens doors.  

 

*Keep the Faith and serve the poor