Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh has sent his condolences to Sancta Maria Abbey in Nunraw, Haddington, as three of their members died within a month.
Fr Thomas Hood passed on the 30th of July, whilst Fr Raymond Jaconelli and Br Philip Bell died within hours of each other on the 12th of August.
Archbishop Leo Cushley said it was ‘a sad time’ for the monastery’s abbot Fr Mark Caira and ‘all at Sancta Maria Abbey’.
“I offer my condolences and prayers to the community and the families of the Fr Hood, Fr Jaconelli and Br Bell,” he said.
“These men were driven by faith and they were each dedicated to serving God in the Cistercian community at Nunraw by following the Gospel in prayer and work.
“It is that very faith that reassures us at this time that they will rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Fr Jaconelli’s funeral will be at the Abbey on Saturday 20 August at 11:00am.
Br Bell’s funeral will be at the Abbey on Saturday 27 August at 11:00am.