On the 14th of April St.Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna saw the coming together of members of the Sovereign Order of Malta and of the Johanniterorden to concelebrate the giving in February 1113 of the historic Pie postulato voluntatis Bull by Pope Pascal II, which officially recognised the hospitallers of St John and was a fundamental element for its development.
Bishop Dr. Egon Kapellari and Superintendent Mag. Paul Weiland celebrated the ecumenical service, which was attended by many guests and members of religious and relief organisations. In his sermon, Mag.Welland reminded the congregation that “our common duty in society is to love our neighbour, and be responsible for him.”
An exhibition of the activities of Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria and the Johanniterorden organisation followed the service, and guests saw at first hand how the emergency services operate, how their vehicles are set up, how to measure blood pressure and blood sugar – and the role of rescue dogs in disaster situations.
The head of the Order of Malta Grand Priory in Austria, Norbert Salburg-Falkenstein, noted: “We are facing major challenges in the service of others, and working together with the Johanniterorden in joint management of this joint celebration has been an important start.”
