The Clerical Members of the Order
Article 41
In accordance with tradition, postulants in Religious Orders and those who are Ministers of Religion do not receive the accolade or bear chivalric rank. They are styled as Religious Officers or Religious Superiors of the Order, unless they desire to be Knights only.
Promotions
Article 42
Promotion within the pre-accolade ranks and from the pre-accolade to the chivalric ranks is subject to the member having attained the requisite age and having served the Order in exemplary manner.
Article 43
Promotions to higher chivalric rank is granted after completion of the requisite number of years of exemplary service within the Order or in recognition of some substantial contribution towards its work.
The Grand Priories - Priories - Commanderies
Article 44
The Order is organised into Grand Priories, Priories and Commanderies, which are autonomous in all matters except those defined by these statutes or reserved for the Government, the Supreme Council or granted to the Governor.
Article 45
A delegate Senior Officer is appointed by the Prince Grand Master or the Governor to act as liaison between the Grand Priors and the Grand Master, the Lieutenant Grand Master, the Grand Chancellor and the Governor. He is to supervise the smooth running of the Priories assigned to him. His designation of office will be defined according to each case.
Article 46
The Supreme Council in consultation with the Priors' Conference shall be responsible for determining the charitable work to be undertaken by the Chancellery. The input from the Priors' Conference will always be taken in consideration to form a realistic agenda.
Article 47
The Prince Grand Master, the Lieutenant Grand Master and the Governor may authorise the creation of Priories and Commanderies in accordance with the needs and requirements of the Order. A Priory will normally comprise not less than ten (10) brethren under the jurisdiction of a Prior; and a Commandery will normally comprise not less than five (5) brethren under the jurisdiction of a Commander.
Article 48
Except for the first appointment formalised by decree of the Prince Grand Master or the Governor when a new Priory is authorized, the Priors are elected by the members of the Priory and serve for a period of three (3) years. They are eligible for re-election but must retire on attaining the age of seventy-five (75) years. The election of a Prior must be confirmed by the Prince Grand Master or the Governor.
Article 49
Associated with the Prior in the administration of the Priory shall be the Priory Council, consist of the Officers of the Priory and such other members as may be determined. Meeting of the Priory Council shall be convened and conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Priory Council.
Article 50
The Prior is ex office President of the Priory Council.
Article 51
A Prior can be elevated to the rank of Grand Prior, and by Decree of Prince Grand Master or Governor, he may be nominated responsible of Priories.