Oblates without Domicile
Extern Benedictines who are out in the cold
A dissolution of monasteries is taking place – this time not through the greed of a wicked king but due to a dearth in aspirants! Vocations to the monastic life are few; there are too many monasteries to serve the shrinking Benedictine population. Consequently, some houses are being ‘shaken out’, and for those caught up in this process of slow disbanding the choices are stark: move to smaller premises or merge with another community. This course of action is painful not only for the monks and nuns concerned, but also for the oblates connected to these houses.
The Anglican Oblates of St Benedict’s Priory in Salisbury are among those affected – their monastic community has downsized for the second time, latterly to a small house which meets the needs of the 3 elderly monks and middle-aged Prior. For a contracting community destined for closure, the challenges are overwhelming. Without any guest accommodation, only time will tell how long the monks can provide even minimum pastoral care for their many oblates: with 250 oblates probably the largest extern group of any monastery in Britain! For all of them, the monastery has been a vital resource and essential for spiritual nourishment. Suddenly being members of a confraternity where one cannot stay or go on retreat is less than ideal!
In the meantime, Salisbury Oblates not only struggle to come to terms with losing their former abbey house but are forced to consider a new sort of oblature. With the dissolution of the mother house only a matter of time, local Oblate groups have necessarily been becoming more and more important. The West of England Group of Oblates, which has met over 40 years, is one of the Chapters trying to face up to the situation. Its members meet regularly to consider Benedictine issues and how to work them out in everyday life. Benedictine retreats are taken elsewhere. Local oblates have also taken the decision to hold together in a Benedictine Fellowship regardless of what happens in the future. This will allow members to stay connected to a community of like-minded people, while they make the decision to reapply and become oblates of other houses, or to not renew their oblation.
I shall be interested to hear how oblates in similar situations are resolving these issues.
PAX,
Simon Bees Obl OSB
Convenor of Salisbury Oblates, West of England Group