HOLY SEE AND THE ORDER OF MALTA WITHIN INTERNATIONAL LAW: PLAYERS, BYSTANDERS OR HISTORICAL RELICS? Cover Image

SFÂNTUL SCAUN ȘI ORDINUL DE MALTA ÎN DREPTUL INTERNAȚIONAL: ACTORI, SPECTATORI SAU VESTIGII ISTORICE?
HOLY SEE AND THE ORDER OF MALTA WITHIN INTERNATIONAL LAW: PLAYERS, BYSTANDERS OR HISTORICAL RELICS?

Author(s): Diana Botău
Subject(s): History of Law, International Law, Diplomatic history
Published by: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai
Keywords: Holy See; Order of Malta; legal personality; Law of Guarantees; Lateran Treaty; citizenship; diplomatic relations; sovereignty; territory;

Summary/Abstract: The article is written with the twofold purpose of bringing up to date and clarifying specific controversial issues regarding the legal personality of the Holy See, of the Catholic Church, and the Order of Malta. Which specific moments determined a shift in the international legal role and position of the Holy See or the Order of Malta? Do they have a consolidated legal status, within international law, and are they still relevant as international law subjects? How much and in which manner do they participate in international relations? What does their interaction with the host states look like, and how much autonomy do they enjoy within the territory of the host states? Is the specific anatomy of such legal subjects compatible with the genetic structure of the current international legal system? If not, how can we explain their survival? The article aims to clarify or, at least, search for possible answers to such questions. However, these questions are addressed at the level of international law, entering as little as possible into theological or administrative distinctions.

  • Issue Year: 66/2021
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 46-74
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Romanian