Things both old and new : the question of authority in Benedict, Polding and three Australian Benedictine communities
Abstract
In both Church and society, nineteenth century Australia was marked by tensions and
questioning of authority as white society established itself and began its development.
John Bede Polding, an English Benedictine monk, came to Australia in 1835. He later
became the first Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. Full of missionary zeal, Polding was
fired with a desire to build the Australian Church and to establish it strongly within the
Benedictine tradition. One way he saw of doing this was through the establishment of
three Benedictine communities; the men's community of St. Mary's, Sydney, the
women's community at Subiaco, New South Wales,and a new foundation, the Sisters
of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St. Benedict.
Much of what he wanted to do was unsuccessful. His vision for an abbey-diocese was
unrealistic in the context of the times. The community of St Mary's was eventually
suppressed by Polding's successor, Roger Bede Vaughan, also an English Benedictine.
This community was tom apart by scandal and, it could be argued, by Polding's
inability to adapt and govern it wisely.
The women's community at Subiaco carried on living the Benedictine life in a
recognizable, traditional way for women. This community still flourishes and is now
resident at Jamberoo in New South Wales. Its beginnings are discussed as part of
Polding's vision for Benedictine life in Australia but its development throughout the
twentieth century is not within the scope of this thesis.
The new Australian Benedictine Institute, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the
Order of St. Benedict, was established by Polding in 1857 to live a different religious
life and to serve different needs. It continues to exist and forms a strong Benedictine
presence in Australia. Polding in fact did leave behind him a healthy heritage, even if
it were not in ways he had foreseen. Within these three communities, and in society as a whole, questions regarding
authority were central. It is important to place discussions about the communities in
their general context which was often one of conflict Authority and government are
central questions for any group and it is through the lens of authority that the
communities are viewed. In order to do this, a study has been made of the background
of the Rule of Benedict by which all these groups in one way or another lived. There is
a concentration on the sections of the Rule that have to do with the role of the abbot
and those who hold places of special service in the community. This is the context and
foundation for the examination of authority and government within the communities.
This thesis will show that the way a community is governed will reflect how the group
understands its identity and it emphasises that this identity needs to be clear and
coherent. Usually, a community establishes and lives with certain processes of
government and only then expresses them in written documents. Careful analysis of
these documents and changes therein, tell us much about the community. Adaptations
are always being made for the times, the place and the circumstances, and the
importance of knowing the history of these changes is paramount.
The focus of this study is the development and adaptation of structures and processes
of government, both in documents and practice, that have affected the Sisters of the
Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict.
A growth in understanding of the vision of Polding and a faithful adherence to it is
evident. In many ways, the wheel has come full circle in terms of grasping this
original vision, but not as a return to the past. Instead, it will be argued, that old and
new work dynamically to create a new future consonant with the times but firmly
grounded in a strong and vital Benedictine identity. This identity is clearly expressed
in the Congregation's concept of authority and modes of governance as these have
evolved in its history. The missionary vision of Polding which grew out of his
Benedictine way of life and which informed his new community has borne fruit.