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On February 26, 2025, Sister Thérèse Narame made solemn profession at the monastery of Kibungo (Rwanda). Sister Thérèse was born in 1974 in Cyanika (Rwanda). She entered Kibungo in 2016 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On 14 November 2024, I made a fraternal visit to the Abbey of Keizersberg in the context of the canonical visitation that had been open since 2022. From 14 to 18 January 2025, two Visitors concluded the canonical visitation open in this monastery. After my visit, on 18 November, I established a Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Abuse of Adults, composed of experts in canon law and people experienced in dealing with reports of transgressive behaviour, and I extended its tasks by a Decree of 24 January. Having received the acts of the above-mentioned Canonical Visitation and the report of the Commission, the conclusions of which I accept, I can communicate the following: I have ordered an Extraordinary Canonical Visitation of all the monasteries of the Flemish-Dutch Province (Dendermonde, Affligem, Steenbrugge and Doetinchem/Slangenburg), with the aim of examining the situation of each community, of assisting them in their immediate and future journey, and of ensuring that the structures of governance (of each monastery and of the Province) are effective. The work of the visitation may continue for several months. About Affligem Abbey: • There is no concrete evidence of abusive behaviour constituting a criminal offence. The small number of monks in the community presents canonical and structural difficulties for the government and for paying attention to the personal fragilities. The Congregation is keen to address and resolve these difficulties. About Keizersberg Abbey: • The common life of the monastic community remains suspended, and each monk retains his residence imposed by me on 18 November 2024. • The Prior-Administrator has completed the period for which he was appointed Prior-Administrator on 30 September 2024. Until the canonical visitation decides on the matter, the ordinary and extraordinary administration is reserved to the Abbot-President. • A monk is temporarily suspended from the ministry of deacon because of a formal defect in his ordination to the diaconate, pending a decision by the Dicastery for Divine Worship. According to the report of the Commission, the President of the Abbot is obliged to present the entire dossier of the monk to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (DIVCSVA) for a decision. In the meantime, as a precautionary measure, he is forbidden to exercise any public activity as a Benedictine monk. • All the monks continue to live in his present residence and the Extraordinary Visitation will have to verify his present and future situation. About Doetinchem/Slangenburg • According to the report of the Special Commission, the Abbot of Doetinchem is suspended from exercising his office as a precautionary measure and is prohibited from exercising the priestly ministry in public, also as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, his file will be sent to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life (DIVCSVA) for a decision. The canonical measures decided upon are precautionary and not punitive. They are temporary measures that suspend, but do not suppress, the exercise of a ministry until the competent Legislative Authority reaches a conclusion. The investigations and visits carried out in recent months have revealed a situation of personal and structural fragility which affects the monasteries of the Province in various ways and which has led to inappropriate and inadequate attitudes. For the sake of clarity, I can state that none of the allegations investigated so far concern the sexual abuse of minors. The allegations relate to transgressive behaviour between adults. I would also like to stress three points: a. The sadness, shame and pain caused to the victims, to whom I offer my sincere apologies and make myself available within the limits of my possibilities. b. My determination, as President of the Subiaco-Cassinese Congregation, to continue the process begun at the beginning of my ministry, which has now been completed with the announcement of the Extraordinary Canonical Visit and the precautions already taken. I also express the full availability of the Benedictines to collaborate with the judicial authority. c. This trial highlights the shortcomings in the lives of some people and the failure of some government structures. At the same time, however, we must take note of the fidelity, goodness and self-denial of many other monks in living out their vocation to serve the Church and society. As I said in November 2024, I am aware of the gravity of my decisions and the pain they may cause. However, I consider them necessary in order to offer light, truth, justice, reparation and hope to all concerned. + Ignasi M. Fossas Abbot President of the Sublacense-Cassinese Benedictine Congregation Rome, le 11 February 2025 https://www.benedettinisublacensicassinesi.org

On Saturday, 15 February 2025, the monks of Saint Peter’s Archabbey (Austria)gathered to elect a new archabbot. New elections are normally held every twelve years, this time at the end of Archabbot Korbinian Birnbacher OSB’s term of office. It was held under the direction of Abbot President Johannes Perkmann OSB from Michaelbeuern Abbey. According to the statutes of the Benedictine Congregation, 22 monks were eligible to vote. The electoral chapter elected Fr. Jakob Auer OSB as the 89th abbot and 7th archabbot of St Peter’s. Fr. Jakob Auer OSB was born in Salzburg in 1991 and grew up in the municipality of Elsbethen. He joined the Archabbey of Saint Peter in 2013, took perpetual vows on 21 March 2018 and was ordained a priest on 29 June 2022. In the monastic community, he has held the office of church rector of the collegiate church since 2022 and has been prior, i.e. deputy to the archabbot, since 1 April 2024. osb.org Erzabtei St. Peter Right: Jakob Auer.

The community of Rougemont (Canada) is happy to announce the solemn profession of Brother Martin de Porrès , which took place on February 16, 2025. The liturgy, carefully prepared, was noble, rich and full of emotion. It transmitted to all, family and friends, the joy of the total gift to Christ and the fraternal and definitive welcome of Brother Martin in the community. Let us give thanks to God and pray for the newly professed! ocist.org https://abbayederougemont.org/

On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, the community of Seitenstetten Abbey (Austria), chaired by Abbot President Johannes Perkmann, re-elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger for a second term of office by canonical vote. His new term of office extends until he reaches the age of 70. The new election took place at the end of his previous twelve-year term of office. We wish the re-elected abbot God’s blessing for his ministry. We ask all those who feel connected to our monastic community for their prayers. We ask for prayers for Abbot Petrus and the community. On behalf of the community, Prior Fr. Laurentius Resch OSB osb.org https://stift-seitenstetten.at/ Petrus Pilsinger. Community of Seitenstetten Abbey with the elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger and the election commission Abbot President Johannes Perkmann (Michaelbeuern Abbey), Abbot Gerhard Hafner (Admont Abbey) and Prior Fr. Michael Hüttl (Altenburg Abbey) Photo credits Seitenstetten Abbey, Josef Penzendorfer.

On February 9, 2025, in Asmara (Eritrea), Br. Abraham Habtemariam made his solemn profession in the presence of the Abbot Negusse Woldai. The community asks the prayers of the Order for this brother. ocist.org

On Friday 7 February 2025, the Benedictine monks of En-Calcat (France) elected Father Maximilien Pietrzak abbot of the community. https://encalcat.com/

AIM-USA is the United States Secretariat of the InterMonastery Alliance. Twice a year it publishes a newsletter reporting on its activities with communities on different continents. https://aim-usa.org

Some community projects supported by AIM: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/all

The appointment of two new coordinators for the Monastic Formators’ Program was announced 11 February by Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB. Brother Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB, of Glenstal Abbey, and Sister Marie Johann Heo OSB, of the Generalate District of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, will jointly lead the program. Brother Colmán is a medieval historian, author, and monk of Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick, Ireland, which is a place of prayer, work, education and hospitality. He received his doctorate from the National University of Ireland in 1998. He also has been a visiting professor at St John’s University, Collegeville, MN, USA, and a Burns Visiting Scholar at Boston College. Sister Marie Johann is a member of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, whose Generalate is in Rome. The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing have a presence in 16 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. Their ministries include education, healthcare, pastoral work and spiritual formation. The Monastic Formators’ Program is a 12-week program designed to meet the needs of those working in the field of monastic formation or preparing to do so in the future. The program takes place in Rome and Assisi and is intended for monks, nuns and sisters who follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The program aims to provide a deeper appreciation of the monastic tradition and its values. It includes study, community living and reflection, and also includes trips to places of Christian and monastic heritage. The appointment of Brother Colmán and Sister Marie Johann marks the beginning of a new chapter for the MFP, which was founded in 2002. Abbot Primate Jeremias expressed his gratitude to the former directors, Abbot Brendan Thomas OSB, and Abbot President Javier Aparicio Suárez OSB, for their leadership and wished the new coordinators God’s blessing. osb.org https://www.collegiosantanselmo.com/en/curia-of-the-benedictine-order/monastic-formators-program/

Mother Anne-Emmanuelle Devêche, Abbess of Blauvac (archdiocese of Avignon, France) since 1999, reached the age mentioned in St. 40.A of the Constitutions and submitted her resignation to the Abbot General who accepted it with the consent of his Council. The resignation became effective on 19 February 2025. On 22 February 2025, Mother Marie Christine Vilmain, abbess of Rivet, to whom is currently delegated the authority of Father Immediate of the community of Blauvac, appointed Sister Bénédicte de la Croix Avon as superior ad nutum of Blauvac, with effect from 23 February 2025. Mother Anne-Emmanuelle continues to hold the authority of Father Immediate of the community of Fons Pacis, Syria, until the General Chapter of 2025. ocso.org https://abbaye-blauvac.com/