Monks proud of new Pope Benedict XVI

John Pereira, the Abbot of Mt St Benedict, yesterday said the monks were proud that the newly elected Pope chose to be named after St Benedict, who lived 1,500 years ago. Pereira said Benedict “has a word to offer” today’s society, which is beset with “rampant materialism and hedonism.” German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was yesterday elected spiritual leader of 1.1 billion Roman Catholics worldwide, after two days of deliberations — and on the fourth ballot. He chose the name Benedict XVI. “He chose Benedict partly because of his great appreciation for Benedict who was a saint of the first millennium before the major schisms in the church.” St Benedict lived in the fifth and sixth century and is the father of western monasticism.

In an interview at the Mount, Abbot Pereira was overwhelmed with emotion by the news. He said: “I think the present Pope will draw from the spirituality of Benedict, the father of monks in the west and because of that I believe he will have powerful influence on the world.” Pereira said Benedict, a student in Rome, protested against the hedonism he saw by living as a hermit and reflecting on the significant meaning of life. “He lived as a hermit for three years and the same young people he left behind, they followed him into the hills and he organised them in groups and eventually he founded a monastery in Monte Cassino; the first major monastery of Benedictine.”

Pereira said while there, he (Benedict) was Abbot, and he wrote a rule for monks which has been handed down for 1,500 years and is still adhered to by Benedictines. “It was a rule based on the Gospel and scriptures giving people an insight. It is an approach to spirituality, life, prayer, community,” Pereira said. He said St Benedict was also considered the patron of Europe for the work his monks did in preserving the civilisation of the west, especially after invasion by barbarians from the north.

The abbot said a masses of thanksgiving will be held, but could not say when. This will be finalised over the next two days. Papal representative, Thomas Gullickson, was not available for comment yesterday. Newsday was told by secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature, Fr Paschal Tiernan, that all heads of departments in Rome gave up their posts with the death of John Paul II. They could be reappointed or new representatives appointed. Tiernan said overseas Papal representatives continue in office.