New Prelate of the Order appointed

The Holy Father has today, 21 December 2023, appointed a new Prelate for our Order, Mgr Luis Manuel Cuña Ramos, a priest of the diocese of Orense.

Our new Constitutional Charter explains at Article 22 that the Prelate "assists the Grand Master, the Grand Commander, and the Coordinator for the Second Class in their responsibility for both the spiritual life and religious observance of all the Members of the Order, and in all matters concerning the spiritual nature of the organisations and works of the Order". The Prelate also supervises and leads the clergy of the Order, both professed Conventual Chaplains and Chaplains of the Third Class.

Mgr Cuña Ramos is an ecclesiastical historian and archivist, having directed archives and libraries in Rome and in his home diocese, and lectured in ancient and mediaeval history.

The outgoing Prelate, Mgr Jean Lafite, who has served in this position since July 2015, has welcomed the appointment, saying, “The personal qualities of Monsignor Cuña Ramos and his long experience in the service of the sick make this appointment a real gift for our family. I offer him my warmest congratulations and fraternal wishes for a fruitful and happy ministry. As my mission comes to an end, I would like to express the gratitude I feel for having been able to serve the Order throughout these years. It has been an honor and a joy.”

We give thanks to Almighty God for the service of Mgr Lafite since 2015. We pray for His blessing on Mgr Cuña Ramos as he takes up his new responsibilities, and look forward to welcoming him to Great Britain soon.

A copy of the Holy See’s bulletin announcing the appointment can be found here. and the full text of Mgr Lafite’s remarks here.