The brothers at the Augustinian St Stephen’s Monastery in Ghent are delighted with the election of Robert Prevost, who comes from their order, as the new Pope.
Religion & Philosophy
Prior of Augustinian monastery in Ghent expects new Pope to grant bishops more freedom
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Prior Etienne Pernet met Pope Leo XIV 20 years ago. “He is a very gentle man, approachable, a man of feeling,” he says. “We need someone like that in that position, someone who has a warm heart for his fellow Christians.” He believes Leo XIV will give the bishops more freedom. “In his speech, he said, ‘I am first and foremost a Christian with you, and then a bishop for you’. This means he will fulfil his office as Pope as a service to the Church,” he says.
“He will not be someone who stands on a pedestal and simply issues orders. He will therefore give the bishops more freedom to guide the local church community themselves.”
He is a very gentle man, approachable, a man of feeling. We need someone like that in that position
According to Prior Pernet, this is typical of the Augustinian order. Brother Morris Basare also says that service is at the heart of the order. “For us, it is very important to live in community, to pray and to be of service to the Church and to Christians.” The election of Prevost as Pope is a reason for the monastery in Ghent to celebrate. Prior Pernet: “There will probably be a party here this weekend. We still have to discuss it, but we can’t sit here and do nothing. When there is sadness, we must weep, and when there is joy, we must celebrate.” The celebration will be “an expression of gratitude to God for giving us a good Pope”, he says.