Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager assumed the role of Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 2014, serving until 2022. Born in 1949 in Altenahr, Germany, he built a multifaceted career as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and politician, while maintaining deep ties to the management of his family's forestry and agricultural holdings.
Legal and Professional Background
Boeselager pursued legal studies at the University of Freiburg, the University of Bonn, and the University of Geneva. Between 1976 and 1990, he practiced as a lawyer. Following the death of his father, Philipp von Boeselager, he assumed control of the family's forestry and agricultural business in 1987. This included ownership of Burg Kreuzberg an der Ahr, continuing his role as a forest owner and successor to his father's involvement in the Ahrweiler forestry association.
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Admitted as a Knight of Honour and Devotion in 1976, Boeselager ascended through various administrative ranks. He served as Chancellor of the German Association from 1982 to 2015 and managed the Malteser Hilfsdienst in the Archdiocese of Cologne during the 1980s. In 1989, he joined the Order's government in Rome as Grand Hospitaller, a position he held for 25 years. He subsequently served as Grand Chancellor from 2014 until his departure in 2022.
Leadership Controversy
In late 2016, Boeselager faced dismissal from his post as Grand Chancellor by Grand Master Matthew Festing, citing the distribution of contraceptives by Malteser International in Myanmar. Boeselager disputed the removal, appealing to Pope Francis. A Vatican commission was established to investigate, and in January 2017, the Pope secured the resignation of Festing and reinstated Boeselager. This event highlighted significant administrative disagreements within the governing structure of the Order.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Altenahr, Germany
- Education: University of Freiburg, University of Bonn, University of Geneva
- Occupation: Lawyer, entrepreneur, politician, jurist
- Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta: 2014–2016, 2017–2022
- Award: Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, 2015
- Award: Grand Officer of the Order of the White Double Cross, 1998
- Award: Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit, 1999
Questions readers ask
What was the reason for the 2016 leadership crisis in the Order of Malta?
The crisis was triggered by the dismissal of Albrecht von Boeselager by Grand Master Matthew Festing over the distribution of contraceptives in Myanmar by an organization associated with the Order.
Did Albrecht von Boeselager have a political career?
Yes, he is identified as a politician in addition to his work as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and his long-term administrative service within the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Achievements
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
- Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
- Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
- Educated at University of Freiburg and University of Bonn
