The Abbot of Mount Saint Bernard, the Cistercian abbey in Leicestershire, has been appointed Bishop of Trondheim in Norway by Pope Francis. In his message to the faithful of the prelature of Trondheim, he reflects on the task ahead

The Abbot of Mount Saint Bernard, the Cistercian abbey in Leicestershire, has been appointed Bishop of Trondheim in Norway by Pope Francis. In his message to the faithful of the prelature of Trondheim, he reflects on the task ahead

On the feast of St Theodore of Tarsus, 19 September, I was told that Pope Francis had named me Bishop of Trondheim. The nuncio in London communicated the news. He could not have been kinder. He reminded me that Theodore, like me, had been a monk; that he, too, in the name of obedience had been asked to leave a life and brethren he loved dearly.

A compatriot of St Paul, he was appointed to Canterbury in 669. And there, said the nuncio, he became a blessing – a sign of the Church’s unity, which transcends national and cultural boundaries. Theodore “set the Church on a firm foundation”, says the Collect for the day, which continues: “[may we too] remain steadfast on the rock which is Christ and be obedient to the calling we have received”.

Here and now, I naturally feel pretty shaky. But I have lived long enough to verify what Paul says: “He who calls is faithful; He will do this.” I place my trust in Him. I invite you to do the same.

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