The Abbot: RB 2. 1-10
10/January/2008 Filed in:
JottingsWe begin today St Benedict's first attempt at systematic treatment of the abbot/monastic superior and his role in community (he had another go in chapter 64). I count myself fortunate to have known and lived under an abbess who came very close to realizing Benedict's ideal, D. Elizabeth Sumner. Two things are very striking in these opening verses, as they were in her life: the extraordinary weight of responsibility laid on the abbot to be, first, an icon of Christ for the community and secondly, answerable to God for the lives of those under his care. This is quite contrary to current ideas of management or, in the political sphere, ministerial responsibility, where there is often only a reluctant and qualified admission of responsibility even when the most appalling negliegence is revealed. These ten verses certainly give the lie to anyone who thinks the Benedictine Rule is a soft option, because, of course, Benedict effectively expects all his monks (and nuns) to be abbots for each other. Perhaps there is something here for captains of industry, ministers of the Crown and all who have responsibility for others, at home, in the workplace, or wherever.