King Charles II has appointed Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon as Prelate of the St John's International Order. Archbishop David will become a member of the Grand Council, which is the topmost governing Council of the worldwide Order led by the Grand Prior, Prince Richard the Duke of Gloucester, who recommended Archbishop David for the role. 

Archbishop David's appointment as Prelate represents the most senior role in the International Order of St John a New Zealander has ever held.

The appointment has been warmly received by Archbishop Don Tamihere, who extends his best regards on behalf of the Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia.

 “Archbishop David's remarkable journey of leadership, service, and dedication to both the Church and the wider community continues as he takes on this vital responsibility. He will lead in the global team with the distinctive skills shaped by our unique Anglican character in Aotearoa, continuing to live out his faith through dedicated service and deep ecumenical engagement."

"His wisdom and vision, rooted in the flourishing of all people and all creation, will inspire and guide the work of the Order of St John across the world. We wish him every success in this new chapter."

As Prelate, from July next year Archbishop David will play a central role in shaping the Order of St John’s strategic work and fostering cooperation between the Order’s 25,000 members throughout the world.

The Prelate, which is usually a Bishop, upholds the Christian character of the Order at international meetings, and oversees national leaders (St John Priory Deans) who oversee St John chaplains. Archbishop David, who has served as the Priory Dean in Aotearoa New Zealand for the last five years, is committed to strengthening the Order and its founding ethos. 

"The Christian character of St John's still underpins all its work as a charity. The ethic of solidarity with those who are sick, physically vulnerable or poor derives from the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s Gospel and continues today." 

St John is a Christian Royal Order of Chivalry that derives from the original hospice work of its founder, Blessed Gerard of Jerusalem 1000  years ago, where a Benedictine hospital next to the Chapel of St John was open to all people, races and religions in that conflicted context.

Archbishop David says that while many who are not Christian belong to the order, and in Muslim countries like Malaysia, the Order uses Muslim spirituality to inform their ceremonies and values, all acknowledge the Order's original Christian roots. While in Aotearoa all investiture ceremonies are conducted in the Christian faith, the Order demonstrates genuine openness.

"Diversity of all faiths, or none, and those of other convictions is very much the capacity  of the order today. Anyone who believes in compassion and coming to people's assistance in a genuine and skilful way is welcome to join."

In addition to its hospital and emergency work around the world, especially through St John Ambulance services, the Order still runs a large eye hospital in Jerusalem and mobile hospital eye units in Gaza. Archbishop David reflects that it is a tragic time for them.
In Aotearoa New Zealand there are 87 St John chaplains and the Order has recently released a Hato Hone St John Bible with special bilingual prayers for application to the healing and triage work of the order. 

Senior roles in the Order cannot be applied for, but are offered to individuals who have worked to strengthen the spirit of humankind, as reflected in the Order's first motto, Pro Fide (for Faith) – and those who have been proven to encourage and promote humanitarian and charitable work aiding those in sickness, suffering, and or danger, as reflected in the Order's other motto, Pro Utilitate Hominum (For the benefit of humanity).

Sir David Moxon succeeds Bishop Tim Stevens CBE GCStJ (former Bishop of Leicester, UK) whose term of six years will conclude on St John’s Day (24 June) in 2025.

Hato Hone St John's Chancellor for Aotearoa New Zealand John Whitehead says that over the last five years Archbishop David has promoted understanding and support for diversity and revitalised the Order's relationship with faith.

"In his time as Priory Dean, Sir David has energised and promoted the Order’s Christian heritage in a manner that has captured the hearts and minds of us all."

"He has reformed chaplaincy into a more integrated unit and further extended its outreach into local communities...[and] he has personally led online prayer gatherings during times of emergency with themes of hope, support and inspiration."

Archbishop David will take up his role as Prelate in July 2025, which will require five weeks overseas for the Order each year. He plans to continue his ministry as a retired Bishop in Te Hāhi Mihinare, the Māori Anglican Church.