Christopher Jamison

Dom Christopher Jamison OSB (born 26 December 1951) is a Benedictine monk and former Abbot of Worth Abbey in West Sussex, England. He became well-known through the BBC TV series The Monastery.

Fr

Christopher Jamison

OSB
Orders
Ordination29 June 1978
Personal details
Born (1951-12-26) 26 December 1951
Melbourne, Australia
NationalityBritish
DenominationRoman Catholic
Alma materOxford University

Early life

Jamison was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1951 as one of four siblings whose family moved to Buckinghamshire, England, while he was a child. He went on to study at Downside School and later Oxford University where he attained a bachelor's degree in French and Spanish.[1] He worked for 25 years as a teacher. [2]

Work

Jamison is a former headmaster of Worth, a Roman Catholic independent school in West Sussex.[3]

He came into wider public awareness after his appearance in the BBC Two television documentary, The Monastery. The series charted the trials and tribulations of six men of varying levels of belief over a period of forty days and nights as they attempt to follow the monastic life. He also made the TV documentary The Big Silence in 2010, which followed several ordinary people as they explored the value and challenge of silent meditation.

Jamison has written two books: Finding Sanctuary: Monastic steps for Everyday Life and Finding Happiness: Monastic Steps For A Fulfilling Life as well as contributing to many others. He is also the president of the International Conference on Benedictine Education (ICBE) which facilitates dialogue between Benedictine secondary schools across the world.

In the summer of 2017, Jamison was appointed Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation.[4]

In 2018, a former pupil of Worth School started a petition demanding Worth School be investigated by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse stating 'it protects [Jamison], the current Abbot President of The Benedictine Order and the Director of National Vocations from any scrutiny of his role in the management of both the school and monastery as a former House Master, Head Master and Abbot of Worth. As such the enquiry appears to perpetuate a system where powerful priests are protected and abuse victims are effectively silenced.

In 2019, Jamison was investigated by the police for abuse, although no further action was taken and the Holy See restored him to his duties as Abbot President. Abbot President Christopher Jamison said: “I welcome the opportunity to return to fulfilling my function as Abbot President."[5]

Bibliography
  • Christopher Jamison. Finding Sanctuary: Monastic steps for Everyday Life. Phoenix; New Ed edition (1 Mar 2007). ISBN 978-0-7538-2149-7
  • Christopher Jamison. Finding Happiness: Monastic Steps For A Fulfilling Life. W&N (16 Oct 2008). ISBN 978-0-297-85277-3

Journalism
  • "Soul purpose of banking". The Tablet. 264 (8856): 10–11. 7 August 2010.

References
  1. "The Benedictine Times" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  2. The Independent
  3. "History of the School". Worth School. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  4. https://www.benedictines.org.uk/post/abbot-christopher-jamison-elected-new-president
  5. https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/12183/jamison-returns-to-duties-as-ebc-abbot-president
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Stephen Ortiger		 Abbot of Worth Abbey
2002–2010		 Succeeded by
Kevin Taggart
Preceded by
Richard Yeo		 Abbot President of English Benedictine Congregation
2017–present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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