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Exciting news from the Congress of Abbots meeting in Rome! Abbot Jeremias Schröder from Germany has been elected as the new Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation. Check out his official portrait below:
Abbot Schröder, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday in December, previously served as the Abbot President of the Congregation of St. Ottilien Archabbey in Eresing, Germany. The election took place at the Primatial Abbey of the Benedictine Order of Sant’Anselmo in Rome, with over 200 abbots from around the world in attendance.
With 40 years of experience as a Benedictine monk, Abbot Schröder succeeds American Abbot Gregory Polan. His educational background includes studies in philosophy, theology, history, and archivistics at prestigious institutions. He has also conducted visitations to numerous monasteries, both Benedictine and non-Benedictine.
Shortly after his election, Abbot Schröder shared his vision for the Benedictine Confederation. He emphasized the importance of pursuing peace in a world filled with conflict. He highlighted the Benedictine tradition of building bridges between cultures and fostering relationships with Eastern Churches.
In a meeting with the Benedictine Confederation in 2018, Pope Francis commended the Benedictines for their longstanding commitment to prayer, work, and study. He praised their monasteries as oases of silence where individuals can rediscover themselves and connect with God.
Founded in 1893 by Pope Leo XIII, the Benedictine Confederation comprises Benedictine Congregations and monasteries within the Catholic Church. The Benedictine community consists of approximately 7,500 monks and 13,000 nuns worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Benedictine Confederation as Abbot Jeremias Schröder leads the way towards a more peaceful and interconnected world!
