In these duties, he must also have a sound knowledge of the church and its doctrine, in order to impart it accurately to his followers. The person selected as Abbot should then also be fair in punishment, punishing where it is deserved, but also in such a way that he is loved rather than feared.
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?
