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John Dunlap
Fra’ John T. Dunlap Official portrait.jpg
His Most Eminent Highness
Fra' John Dunlap
Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Reign 3 May 2023 – present
Acting:
13 June 2022–3 May 2023
Predecessor Giacomo dalla Torre
Grand Commanders
Born (1957-04-16) 16 April 1957 (age 68)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Full name
John Timothy Dunlap
Father John Gerard Dunlap QC
Mother Dena Morrison
Religion Roman Catholicism

Fra' John Timothy Dunlap, born on April 16, 1957, is a Canadian lawyer. He is the Prince and 81st Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This is a very old Catholic order known for its charity work around the world. He has held this important role since 2023.

Before becoming Grand Master, Mr. Dunlap was the Lieutenant Grand Master of the Order from June 13, 2022. He is the first Grand Master who did not need to prove noble family background. This change was made possible by Pope Francis in 2022, who updated the Order's rules.

John Dunlap's Early Life and Studies

John Dunlap grew up in Ottawa, Canada. His father was John Gerard Dunlap, and his uncle was Judge Frank Dunlap. His grandfather, Henry Joseph Dunlap, was a brave soldier in the Royal Canadian Engineers.

His Education Journey

Mr. Dunlap studied at the University of Ottawa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went on to study law at the University of Western Ontario. He also spent some time studying in France, at the University of Nice.

His Career as a Lawyer

After finishing his studies, John Dunlap became a lawyer in both New York and Ontario, Canada. In 1986, he joined a law firm in New York called Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller. By 1993, he became a partner at the firm. He focused on business law and immigration law. He also worked as a legal advisor for the Holy See (the Pope's government) at the United Nations.

John Dunlap and the Order of Malta

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a Catholic order that helps people in need around the world. They provide medical aid, humanitarian relief, and social services.

Joining the Order

John Dunlap became a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Order of Malta in 1996. He made temporary promises to the Order in 2004. On June 7, 2008, he made his permanent vows as a Knight of Justice. This means he committed his life to the Order's mission. In 2006, he was chosen to be the First Regent of the Sub-Priory of Our Lady of Lourdes. This role means he was a religious leader for some Knights in the United States.

Leadership Roles

In May 2014, Mr. Dunlap was elected to the Order's Sovereign Council for five years. This council helps lead the Order. He also leads a committee that works with other non-Catholic orders of St. John. This helps different groups work together for good causes.

Becoming Grand Master

On June 13, 2022, Pope Francis appointed John Dunlap as the Lieutenant Grand Master of the Order of Malta. Then, on May 3, 2023, he was elected as the Sovereign Prince and 81st Grand Master. His election was special because Pope Francis changed the Order's rules in 2022. Before this, the Grand Master usually had to come from a noble family. Mr. Dunlap's election showed that anyone dedicated to the Order's mission could lead it.

Helping Others: Charitable Work

John Dunlap is involved in many charitable activities. He is the past President of the Canadian Club of New York. He is also the Vice-President of the Royal Conservatory of Music Foundation in Toronto, which supports music education. He serves as a Trustee for John Cabot University in Rome. He is also the President of the Friends of the Certosa di San Giacomo in Italy, helping to preserve a historic monastery.

John Dunlap's Coat of Arms

Fra John Timothy Dunlap as Grand Master of the SMOM
Armorial bearings of His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master Fra' John Dunlap

A coat of arms is a special design that represents a person or a family. As the Grand Master, Fra' John Dunlap has a unique coat of arms. It combines the symbol of the Order of Malta with his own family's design. His family's coat of arms was given to his father in 2003.

Awards and Special Titles

Fra' John Timothy Dunlap has received many important awards and titles.

Church Honors

On June 16, 2023, he was given the honorary title of Canon of the Saint Lawrence Collegiate Chapter of Vittoriosa. This was given by the Archbishop of Malta. He also received a special pectoral cross, which is a symbol of this honor.

He has also been awarded:

  • SMOM-s.svg Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice Professed of Solemn Vows of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
  • OPMM-co.svg Collar of the Order pro Merito Melitensi
  • OESSG Cavaliere di Gran Croce BAR.jpg Knight of the Collar of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Commonwealth Honors

  • Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector.svg Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St John (United Kingdom – January 29, 2020)
  • Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.png Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (United Kingdom – February 6, 2002)
  • QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (United Kingdom – February 6, 2012)

National Honors

  • HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civ) 1class Collar BAR.svg Grand Cross with Chain of the Hungarian Order of Merit (Hungary – July 17, 2024)
  • ITA OMRI 2001 GC-GCord BAR.svg Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy – November 21, 2023)
  • sans_cadre Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy (Italy – January 9, 2023)
  • MCO Order of Saint-Charles - Grand Cross BAR.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Charles (Monaco – April 22, 2025)
  • Ribbon Order Omar Torrijos Herrera.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Omar Torrijos Herrera (Panama – February 27, 2024)
  • POL Order Orła Białego BAR.svg Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland – March 27, 2025)
  • ROU Order For Merit 2000 GOfficer BAR.svg Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit (Romania – February 14, 2013)

Dynastic Honors

  • ME Order of Danilo I Officer BAR.svg Knight of the Order of Prince Danilo I (House of Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro)
  • Order of the Most Holy Annunciation BAR.svg Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (House of Savoy)
  • Cavaliere di gran Croce Regno SSML BAR.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (House of Savoy)
  • ESP Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Justicia BAR.svg Knights Grand Cross with Collar of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies)
  • Ord.SanGiuseppe-GC.png Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Joseph (House of Habsburg-Tuscany)
  • Order of the Golden Fleece ribbon bar.svg Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (House of Habsburg-Lorraine)

See also

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