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Daily Reading from the Rule of St Benedict

CHAPTER 64: THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ABBOT
IN the appointment of the Abbot this principle must always be kept in view, that he be made abbot whom the whole community with one accord chooses in the fear of God, or one whom a part only of the community, and that a small one, has chosen with sounder judgment. It is for the merit of his life and for his learning in wisdom that a man should be chosen for this appointment, even though he be the last in order in the community.
May it never happen that the whole community by general consent choose a person who will fall in with its evil ways. However, should it do so and it become common knowledge and the Bishop of the diocese or the Abbots or the local Christian people get to hear of it, let them foil this conspiracy of the wicked and set a worthy steward over God’s house. Let them know that if they act with pure intention and zeal for God they will receive a good reward. On the other hand, if they do nothing about it, they will incur sin.