Austrian Roman Catholic lawyer (1937–2022)
Fra' Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein (German: [ˈluːdvɪɡ ˈhɔfman fɔn ˈruːmɐʃtaɪn]; born Ludwig Franz Xaver Irenäus Joseph Peter Raimund Maria Hoffmann von Rumerstein;[1] 21 January 1937 – 13 December 2022) was a 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
References