With profound regret the Grand Magistry announces the death of the Venerable Bailiff Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein, former Grand Commander of the Sovereign Order of Malta. He passed away in Innsbruck, today, 13 December 2022.

Fra’ Ludwig was born 1937 in Innsbruck, Austria. He read law at the University of Innsbruck, graduating in Civil and Canon Law in 1962, followed by studies in philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In his professional life he specialised in criminal law, practising as a lawyer in Innsbruck from 1970 to 2002.

He co-founded the District of Tyrol and Vorarlberg division of Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria (MHDA), becoming its head and he oversaw the MHDA hospital train to Lourdes for four years. He became a member of the Sovereign Order of Malta in 1970, taking Solemn religious Vows in 1988.

He was elected member of the Sovereign Council between 1988 and 1994. He was elected Grand Commander of the Sovereign Order three times, in 1994, 1999 and 2014. From January to April 2017, he was Lieutenant ad interim, following the resignation of the 79th Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing.

In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI made him a Gentlemen of His Holiness.

The Venerable Bailiff Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein will be remembered in the Holy Mass celebrated daily in the Magistral Palace. The Lieutenant of the Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap and the Grand Commander Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau invite all the members of the Sovereign Order of Malta to pray for the repose of his soul.