Enzo Bianchi required to leave the monastery of Bose

By Vatican News

Enzo Bianchi, founder of the Community of Bose, along with three other members of the same community, are required to leave the monastery and move to another place. This also includes the cessation of their positions of authority.

The decision was set out in a decree on 13 May signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and approved in forma specifica by Pope Francis. It comes after “prolonged and careful discernment” following an Apostolic Visitation which took place from 6 December 2019 to 6 January 2020.

The Community of Bose announced the news in a communique on their website.

“As we announced at the time, due to serious concerns expressed by several members to the Holy See, which indicated a tense and problematic situation in our Community regarding the exercise of the authority of the founder, the community’s management, and the fraternal climate,” Pope Francis arranged an Apostolic Visitation. It was conducted by Father Guillermo León Arboleda Tamayo, Abbot President of the Subiaco Cassinese Benedictine Congregation, Father Amedeo Cencini, Consultor for the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, and Mother Anne-Emmanuelle Devéche, Abbess of Blauvac.

“Taking into account the ecclesial and ecumenical importance of the Community of Bose, both nationally and internationally, and the importance of continuing in its recognized role, overcoming serious hardship and misunderstandings that could weaken or even wipe it out, the Holy Father intended the Apostolic Visitation to offer help to the Community in the form of a period of listening led by some people of proven trust and wisdom.” At the end of the Apostolic Visitation, “the visitors presented their report to the Holy See, prepared on the basis of the contribution of the testimonies freely given by each member of the Community.”

“After prolonged and careful discernment and prayer,” continues the communique, “the Holy See announced their conclusions in the form of a decree of 13 May 2020, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, and approved in forma specifica by the Pope.” The decisions were recently communicated to those concerned by Father Amedeo Cencini, appointed Pontifical Delegate with full powers ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, who was accompanied by the Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, Father José Rodriguez Carballo, and the Archbishop Marco Arnolfo of Vercelli.

The communication of the decision “took place in the greatest possible respect for the right to confidentiality of those concerned. However, after the notification of the decree, the rejection of the measures by some of the addressees has led to a situation of further confusion and discomfort. It was considered necessary to specify that the aforementioned measures concern Br Enzo Bianchi, Br Goffredo Boselli, Br Lino Breda, and Sr Antonella Casiraghi, who will have to separate themselves from the Monastic Community of Bose and move to another place, forfeiting all positions currently held.”

In a letter from the Secretary of State to the Prior and the Community, “the Holy See has outlined a forward-looking path of hope, indicating the main elements of a process of renewal, which we trust will give renewed impetus to our monastic and ecumenical life. In this time of preparation for Pentecost,” the communique concludes, “we invoke a renewed outpouring of the Spirit in every heart, so that He may make malleable that which is rigid, thaw that which is icy, straighten that which is crooked, and help everyone to allow His action to prevail, rather than personal sentiment.”