Fra’ Max Rumney, the 58th Grand Prior of England for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, has resigned from his senior role within the ancient Catholic chivalric order. The resignation, which cites health and personal reasons, has reportedly caused a "furore" among members.
Philippa Leslie, the Order of Malta’s director of communications, confirmed Rumney’s departure. "The Order of Malta in Great Britain has communicated to its members that Fra’ Max Rumney has stepped down from the role of Grand Prior for health and personal reasons," Leslie stated.
Rumney formally submitted his resignation in a letter to the Grand Master of the Order, which has been accepted. The Procurator of the Grand Priory of England will work with Rumney to determine his future within the Order and his religious life, at the request of the Grand Commander, who is Rumney’s immediate religious superior.
Rumney, who was welcomed into the role of Grand Prior in 2022, is described by a friend as "a very gentle soul, a charming man." His departure has apparently unsettled some within the organization, which historically includes individuals with significant social standing. Past presidents of the order have included figures like the 5th Earl of Gainsborough and Prince Rupert Loewenstein, former financial adviser to the Rolling Stones.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is one of the oldest chivalric orders within the Roman Catholic Church. Its hierarchy includes knights who have taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, known as "Knights of Justice." Fra’ is an abbreviation of the Italian word ‘frate,’ meaning brother, a title used by these professed knights. The Grand Prior leads a significant part of the Order's structure.