This year’s St John’s Day celebrations started on June 24th with the traditional Mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army in Warsaw, presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and attended by members and volunteers of the Polish Association of the Order of Malta, diplomats and government officials.
The following day, Ambassador and Mrs Lorijn welcomed c. 120 guests to a reception at their residence, including ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps of over 40 countries, and representatives of the Polish government, parliament, international organisations accredited to Poland, and cultural and philanthropic entities.
During his welcome speech, Ambassador Lorijn marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Order of Malta and Poland, recalling the close historic bonds between the Order and the Polish Territories and the growing humanitarian work of the Order’s Polish Association, including its vital role in Ukraine in collaboration with the Polish government. He also mentioned the consequential framework agreement recently entered into with the Polish government to enhance coordinated aid efforts in Ukraine. The Ambassador reflected on the recent visit of President Duda to the Order’s headquarters in Rome, reaffirming the strong bilateral relations and the importance of the Order’s neutrality in pursuit of its humanitarian mission. He condemned the atrocities of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting the Order’s global relief and development efforts in over 120 countries, which is reaching millions of people in need. Emphasising hope and courage amidst the ongoing human suffering, he called for a renewed commitment to humanitarian values, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation.
Following the Ambassador’s speech, H.E. Paweł Kowal, Chairman the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm and Chairman of the Council for Cooperation with Ukraine, took the floor to underscore the significance of the Order of Malta’s mission and works around the globe, and the close ties and fruitful working relationship that continues to be developed between Poland and the Order in several areas.
To download Ambassador Lorijn’s speech please click here.
