The abbot's responsibilities and spiritual duties in the Rule of Saint Benedict

St. Benedict

Roles and Qualities of the Abbot

The Abbot bears the responsibility of not only his own actions, but also those of the persons serving under him. According to the Rule of Benedict, he is to give an account of both on the final judgment day. He therefore has a great responsibility not only towards himself, as setting an example of the perfect life in Christ to his disciples. He will be judged according to his teaching, and according to the actions of his disciples. The Rule also however acknowledges that the students may be unruly and unwilling to learn. In such a case, judgement will be negative only for the flock and not for the teacher, if the latter has adhered to the principles laid out for the Abbot.

The Abbot is required to teach both by word and deed. He is to impart knowledge to his disciples by words, be an example in his works, and also display a large amount of patience towards slow learners. He is also to demonstrate by works the concepts that the slower learners may find difficult to understand.

Being human, it is also acknowledged that the Abbot may make mistakes in his actions and words. If this happens, he is to emphasize to his disciples that such actions are incorrect and should not be copied. Instead, he should reiterate the fact that, as human beings, both the Abbot and disciples are to always strive towards perfection during their earthly lives, even though it is impossible that this will be attained during earthly life.

Like Christ, the Abbot is not to regard any of the persons in the monastery as more important or more worthy of attention than all the others, unless there is "reasonable cause" such as that the person in question is showing a particular example of good works and obedience, in such cases it is acceptable for the Abbot to show favor, as this will also inspire other disciples towards similar exemplary behavior. As such, the Abbot is also to ensure the appropriate response to each form of behavior, rebuking where necessary and praising where it is deserved, with increasing severity of disciples appear to be unwilling to mend their ways.

The Abbot is then to attach the utmost importance to the souls over which he has been given precedence. He should never neglect his duties, and indeed regard them as more important even than his own sense of physical well-being. He is to understand more than any under him the value of God's words above all else. He should therefore practice self-denial in everything, never complaining of physical lack, but trusting God to care for all his needs.

If the Abbot abide by all these duties, and admonish those who do not follow the word of God, according to the Rule of St. Benedict, he will not have to account for his own soul or for those who are led astray. He can rest assured in the knowledge that he has done all in his power to lead them to God's way.

The Demands of the Rule

As seen above, the Abbot plays a very important part in the monastery. He is not only the Superior and leader of the monastery, but embodies the role of Christ for his followers. As such, he is to live a live exemplary and worthy of his Christ-like role. He should prove his worthiness to teach and lead, as well as to serve, on a daily basis. Indeed the very title "Abbot" is derived from Christ's name for the Father, "Abba." The role of the Abbot is therefore closely connected with the role of Christ in the church. This is one of the reasons for the strictness of the Rule of Benedict with regard to the Abbot and his role.

Another reason is, as seen above, that the Abbot is responsible for the souls of his entire flock. In this way, his Christ-role is fulfilled. According to the Rule, the day of judgment will require the Abbot to take responsibility for the way he led his flock and for the outcome of such leadership. If it is found that the Abbot's shortcomings resulted in some souls being lost, he will be punished for this. This is a very heavy responsibility, and the Abbot should therefore ensure that he sets a good example in his leadership and also in his actions.

At the basis of the Rule of St. Benedict and its strict requirements for Abbotship is therefore an attempt to ensure that the Abbot fulfills the role of Christ figure for the church. As such, the church entrusts to him the souls of several followers. The Abbot should therefore be the type of person who can fill Christ's role for his followers, and ultimately lead them to the way of salvation for the glory of Christ and his church. Before being elected, it is therefore vital to ensure that the Abbot to be can fulfill all his duties as perfectly as possible.

The Abbot who is worthy to be over a monastery, ought always to be mindful of what he is called, and make his works square with his name of Superior. For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, when he is called by his name, according to the saying of the Apostle: "You have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry Abba (Father)" (Rom 8:15). Therefore, the Abbot should never teach, prescribe, or command (which God forbid) anything contrary to the laws of the Lord; but his commands and teaching should be instilled like a leaven of divine justice into the minds of his disciples.

Let the Abbot always bear in mind that he must give an account in the dread judgment of God of both his own teaching and of the obedience of his disciples. And let the Abbot know that whatever lack of profit the master of the house shall find in the sheep, will be laid to the blame of the shepherd. On the other hand he will be blameless, if he gave all a shepherd's care to his restless and unruly flock, and took all pains to correct their corrupt manners; so that their shepherd, acquitted at the Lord's judgment seat, may say to the Lord with the Prophet: "I have not hid Thy justice within my heart. I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation" (file: Is 1:2; Ezek 20:27). Then at length eternal death will be the crushing doom of the rebellious sheep under his charge.

Why is the rule of St. Benedict so demanding of them?