Benedictine News and Elections
• New abbot president of Ottilien Congregation
• new abbots of Göttweig and Maredsous abbeys
• new papal appointments, congregations, and commissions.
Read the summaries here.
Fr. Patrick Schöder Elected 66th Abbot of Göttweig Abbey
At the Göttweig Benedictine Abbey, Patrick Schöder OSB was elected 8 January as the new abbot. He succeeds Abbot Columban Luser as the 66th abbot of this historic monastery. Abbot Columban held this office for more than 15 years with prudence, spiritual depth, and foresight.
Père François Lear Elected as Ninth Abbot of Maredsous
The Benedictine monks of Maredsous have elected Père François Lear as their ninth abbot on 19 December 2024, following the decision of Père Abbé Bernard Lorent to assume the presidency of the Alliance for Inter-Monastic Cooperation. Story and video here.
Data Report : OSB Atlas, Oblates, and Largest Monasteries
Fr. Patrick Carter OSB, secretary to the abbot primate, gives us some interesting statistics from OSB Atlas. Story, chart and graphs here.
DIMMID Report from Secretary General Cyprian Consiglio OSB Cam
Newly-installed Secretary General Fr. Cyprian Consiglio OSB Cam, delivers a report on his travels and future plans for DIMMID. Story, links and photos here.
Archabbot Cirill T. Hortobágyi Leads Ecumenical Delegation to Istanbul
Archabbot Cirill T. Hortobágyi OSB, abbot president of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation and archabbot of Pannonhalma, recently led an ecumenical delegation to Istanbul at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Story, photos and links here.
Fraud Warning
If you receive communications from Benedictines with whom you are not normally in contact, and if they involve money, verify the contact through an abbot president, the CIB, or the abbot primate's office. More details here.
A Word from the Abbot Primate : December 2024
Abbot Primate Jeremias introduces NEXUS, a monthly news bulletin connecting Benedictine communities with updates, resources and necrology notices. It comes out in six languages. The automatic translations still need improvement, please be patient. Recent highlights include insights from the Synod on Synodality and efforts to enhance collaboration within the Benedictine Confederation. As Advent begins, Abbot Jeremias encourages communities to embody hope, the theme for the upcoming Holy Year.
From the Benedictine World : December 2024
These short articles include highlights regarding leadership changes across Benedictine communities, from Scotland to South Africa, with key appointments including Father Simon Piatkowski at Pluscarden Abbey and Abbot Boniface Kamushisi in Inkamana; strategic reviews of organizational structures; and hints of future initiatives such as a new abbot training program.
Fr. Boniface Kamushishi elected abbot of Inkamana
On 30 November 2024, Abbot Michael Reepen OSB, Pro-President of the Congregation of Saint Ottilien, wrote to inform us of the election of a new abbot of the community of Inkamana, South Africa. Letter and photos here.