Fra’ Ludwig Franz Xaver Irenäus Joseph Peter Raimund Maria Hoffmann von Rumerstein[1] (Austrian German: [ˈluːdvɪɡ ˈhɔfman fɔn ˈruːmɐʃtaɪn]; born 21 January 1937 – 13 December 2022) was an Austrian Grand Commander of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. He was acting head of the order for some months in 2017.
Early life
Hoffmann-Rumerstein was the son of Ernst Hoffmann von Rumerstein and of his wife, Baroness Pia Riccabona von Reichenfels.[1]
Hoffmann-Rumerstein studied law at the University of Innsbruck graduating in 1962.[2] He then studied philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After he completed his military service, he practised as a lawyer in Innsbruck from 1970 to 2002.[2]
Order of Malta
Hoffmann-Rumerstein’s work with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta began as a volunteer. In 1968, he co-founded the Order’s Austrian volunteer corps in North Tyrol. In 1970, he joined the Order as a Knight of Honour and Devotion. From 1971 to 1979 he led the Order’s group of volunteers in Innsbruck. From 1979 to 1986 he was a member of the board of directors of the Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria (de).
In 1984, Hoffmann-Rumerstein took vows as a Knight of Justice. That same year he was elected a member of the Order’s Sovereign Council. He served as Grand Commander of the Order from 1994 to 2004. He was re-elected Grand Commander in 2014.[3]
From the end of January until the end of April 2017, Hoffmann-Rumerstein was the acting head of the Order, as Lieutenant ad interim, after the resignation of Fra’ Matthew Festing as Prince and Grand Master.[4][5] He retained this office until 29 April 2017, when the Complete Council of State elected Fra’ Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto as Lieutenant of the Grand Master for a period of one year.
Personal life and death
Hoffmann-Rumerstein died in Innsbruck, Tyrol on 13 December 2022, at the age of 85.[6]
Honours
- 1989: Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Sash of the Republic of Austria
- 1990: Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- 1994: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash of the Republic of Austria
- 1994: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- 1998: Order of the White Double Cross, 2nd Class, of the Republic of Slovakia
- 1999: Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
- 2009: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
- 2000: Honorary Companion with Breast Star of the National Order of Merit (Malta)
- 2004: Decoration of Honour of the State of Tyrol
- 2016: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
- Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius IX
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
References
- ^ a b Genealogische Handbuch des Adels, Adelige Häuser B, 2002.
- ^ a b Grand Commander
- ^ “The Chapter General of the Sovereign Order of Malta was held in Rome”. Order of Malta. 31 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ “The Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing resigns from office”. Order of Malta. 28 January 2017. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ “Article 17. Extraordinary Government” (PDF). Constitutional Charter: 29–30. 27 June 1961. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ “Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein dies in Innsbruck”. Order of Malta. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
