The AIM Assembly

The members of the AIM met at Maredsous Abbey (Belgium) from 12 to 15 November 2025.

Those present were:

• Dom Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB, President of the AIM;

• Dom Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB, Secretary General of the AIM;

• Dom Jeremias Schröder, OSB, Abbot Primate (via video link);

• Dom Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori, OCist, Abbot General of the Cistercian Order;

• Dom Bernardus Peeters, OCSO, Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance;

• Dom Ignasi Fossas, OSB, Abbot President of the Congregation of Subiaco-Montecassino;

• Dom Javier Aparicio Suárez, OSB, Abbot President of the Congregation of Sankt-Ottilien;

• Dom Maksymilian R. Nawara, OSB, Abbot President of the Congregation of the Annunciation;

• Schwester Lynn McKenzie, OSB, Moderator of the CIB;

• Schwester Ann Hoffman, OSB, Executive Director of AIM-USA;

• Schwester Rosann Ocken, OSB, Superior General of the Congregation of the Benedictine Missionary Sisters of Tutzing;

• Dom Lluc Torcal, OCist, Procurator General of the Cistercian Order;

• Dom Andrea Serafino Dester, OSB, Assistant to the Abbot General of the Congregation of Subiaco-Montecassino;

• Dom Brendan Thomas, OSB, Abbot of Belmont Abbey (UK);

• Dom Peter Eghwrudjakpor, OSB, Prior of Ewu-Ishan Monastery (Nigeria);

• Dom Clement Ettaniyil, OSB, abbot of Kappadu Abbey (India);

• Dom Armand Veilleux, OCSO, Scourmont Abbey (Belgium);

• P. Cyprian Consiglio, OSB, Secretary General of DIMMID;

• Herr Olivier Juès, Financial Advisor;

• Schwester Isabelle (part-time) for the Bulletin and the AIM website.

AIM is a structure that facilitates exchange and joint work between the Benedictine Confederation, the CIB, the Cistercian Order and the Trappist Order. It is engaged in implementing its new statutes and new committees (financial, projects, training, communication).

The Projects Committee met immediately afterwards to examine the financial requests from the communities presented by the Secretary General, Father Charbel.

The members of the assembly visited the Benedictine sisters of Maredret, a stone's throw from Maredsous Abbey, and enjoyed their warm welcome.