Catholics gather for Knights of Malta statue's debut

Published on Monday 15 December 2008 09:05

THE Grand Master of the Knights of Malta unveiled a new statue in St Mary's Cathedral yesterday.

Fr Matthew Festing, 58, revealed the statue by Scottish sculptor Janet Scrymgeour Wedderburn in the cathedral during an official visit to the UK.

A former art consultant to Sotheby's, Mr Festing was recently elected as the 79th Grand Master of the 12,500-strong Roman Catholic Order.

He is only the second Briton in 900 years to lead it, succeeding Scots-born Fr Andrew Bertie, to whose memory the new statue of the Order's patron, St John the Baptist, was dedicated.

Catholics from all over the UK attended a special Mass celebrated by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, yesterday at 11.30am. Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, Principal Chaplain of the Order of Malta in Britain, gave the homily.

The statue has been given pride of place beside the Cathedral's baptism font and is expected to attract the attention of scholars and art lovers.

The award-winning sculptor's work is exhibited in major collections including the National Museums of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Until his election as Grand Master in May 2008, Mr Festing served as Grand Prior (religious superior) of the British Knights.

The Grand Master holds the ranks of a Cardinal in the Catholic Church.