On Saturday 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Abbot President of the Subiaco-Cassinese Benedictine Congregation, Dom Bruno Marin, signed and promulgated a decree granting Independence to Kristo Buase Monastery in Ghana.
The Kristo Buase Community with Fr. Giles
Hitherto Kristo Buase had been a dependent house of Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire.
With immediate effect from the reception of that decree, Pluscarden's Fr. Ambrose Flavell established his stability at Kristo Buase, officially ceasing thereby to be a monk of Pluscarden.
The Kristo Buase community then prepared to elect their own Prior, exercising thereby their right and duty, in accordance with the law of our Congregation.
Fr Bede
On Monday 15 August, Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady, the election took place, presided over by Abbot Francis Baird of Prinknash. The community elected Dom Bede Kierney of Pluscarden as its first independent Prior.
Abbot President Bruno confirmed this election on Wednesday 17 August. Fr. Bede accepted the election, as an expression of God's will, and as an act of obedience, according to his monastic vows. After 41 years as a monk of Pluscarden, Fr. Bede thereby immediately became a monk of Kristo Buase, with his own stability established there.
The election clearly means that the community of Pluscarden is asked to make a significant sacrifice for the sake of their brethren in Ghana. Fr. Abbot and the monks of Pluscarden do so willingly, trusting in the help of God, believing in his divine Providence, and desiring above all to obey his loving will in all things.
The prayers of all our friends are asked, especially for Fr. Bede, as with great generosity and faith he undertakes his new and demanding task: that in all things God may be glorified.