VATICAN - Cardinal Sodano to confer solemn Blessing on new Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of St Paul in Rome(Basilica of St Paul’s outside-the-walls)

Rome (Fides Service) - Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Pope’s secretary of state will confer the solemn Blessing on Abbot Edmund Power OSB newly appointed Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of St Paul today 23 June during a solemn Mass in the Basilica of St Paul’s outside-the-walls at 5pm. The Prior of the community, Fr Johannes Paul Abrahamowicz, OSB, informed Fides that the new community comprises monks from various part of the world who will serve in the basilica to administer the sacrament of reconciliation, sung liturgy of the hours while acting as custodians of the tomb of St Paul, apostle of the nations.
With a Motu Proprio "The ancient and venerable Basilica" 31 May 2005, Pope Benedict XVI issued general norms “to clarify or define the principle aspects of the pastoral and administrative management of the complex of the Basilica and monastery at St Paul’s outside the Walls”. Like the other major Basilicas in Rome, St Paul’s will have an Archpriest and the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of St Paul will be his Vicar for Pastoral Care. The Pope also entrusted the monks with “the ministry of Penance in the Basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls be assured for all the faithful who go there, both those who belong to the Diocese of Rome and the many pilgrims who come from various parts of the world” and wishes for them “under the supervision of the Archpriest, to organise, co-ordinate and develop such programmes, also with the help of Benedictine confreres from other Abbeys and in accordance with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2005 - Righe 21; Parole 290)