Father Manel Gasch i Hurios is the new abbot of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat. The Benedictine community chose him as abbot on 15 September and he is already in charge of the monastery, awaiting the abbatial blessing.
From 6-11 September, the Synod of Abbots President met at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. The synod examined various issues impacting the Church and the Benedictine Confederation and the annual reports on the principal activities and events of Sant'Anselmo. Story and photos here.
From 25-27 May, the abbots and delegates of the Swiss Benedictine Congregation met in the monastery of Mariastein for the annual chapter. They elected Abbot Vigeli Monn of Kloster Disentis successor to outgoing president Abbot Christian Meyer of Engelberg.
We interview Professor Daniel McCarthy OSB, of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy at the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant'Anselmo, who will teach the Latin in English in Rome program during the Academic Year 2021-22.
After the sad Covid-related demise of Abbot Placidus Mtunguja, the chapter of Ndanda Abbey gathered on 24 and 25 March to elect a successor. They chose Fr. Christian Temu. Story and photos here.
The Benedictine Commission on China (BCC) brings together representatives from Benedictine monasteries throughout the world to exchange information about the work of their communities related to China and to discuss cooperation on projects for China. Because of the pandemic, the meeting this year was held online.
Pope Francis accepts the resignation of Missionary Benedictine Bishop Marian Eleganti OSB, Auxiliary of Chur.
Ampleforth, the largest Benedictine community in the United Kingdom, held their abbatial election on 5 January, selecting Dom Robert Igo. Since 2005, Abbot Robert has been Prior at the Monastery of Christ the Word in Macheke, Zimbabwe. Story and links here.
The Conventual Priory of Prince of Peace at Tigoni (Kenia) was raised to an Abbey, 42 years after its foundation. The monks elected Fr. John Baptist Oese Imai OSB, hitherto Conventual Prior, their first abbot.
Dom Nicholas Wetz has been elected Abbot of Downside Abbey and has announced that the community will leave Stratton-on-the-Fosse.
