Keep Benedictine on Sheppard Street
The Petition
On Monday, February 13, 2007, Rev. Patrick Moore, Abbot of the Benedictine Society of Monks, publicly announced that the monks of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey wish to bring the [Benedictine High School] campus back together. In doing so, the Abbey would uproot the school from its current location at 304 North Sheppard Street and transport it to the abbeys facilities, which reside in Goochland County. While Abbot Patrick has asked for the prayers and support of the Benedictine community during the upcoming months and years, the undersigned wish to express their high level of unhappiness and disappointment that this plan has evoked. While we as Cadets and the Benedictine family have always bled green and pledged our unwavering support, we will not allow this to transpire without loud, noted opposition. As Thomas Jefferson once remarked, Dissent is the highest form of patriotism, noting that criticism of administrative policy only serves to improve the condition of the institution in question. Therefore, our deep affection for Benedictine will not be quashed by plans which threaten the traditions and values that have been instilled within us by the school now at stake. The Abbot and religious community seem to want us to devote our thoughts, prayers, and collective energy to promote a cause in which we do not believe. Instead, we will dedicate ourselves in any way possible to maintain the integrity of the history which has developed within and around the walls of 304 North Sheppard Street in the City of Richmond since 1911.
While one cannot deny the truly good intentions that Abbot Patrick and the monastery embrace with this plan, one can and should question the Abbots extent in the decision making process based upon his relatively distant relationship with the school. For all intents and purposes, the Abbot controls Benedictine High School and other Society entities; yet, he neither operates nor oversees daily life at Benedictine in any way. Therefore, it is understandable that the numerous traditions, values, and events which occur at 304 North Sheppard Street may have been lost somewhere in the decision making processes. Nobly, Abbot Patrick claims that he desires to bring the monastery and the student body together. However, is it not possible for Abbot Patrick and others to make the voyage to a presently standing, historic building to be closer to Cadets instead of pursuing a $20 million construction project Father Adrian and some of the other monks appear to have handled the commute to Sheppard Street just fine for years.
While we hope that the Abbot and the monks will listen to our opinions, unfortunately our say over Benedictines future is severely limited despite the fact that we, as Cadet supporters, are so integral to Cadet life. Whether we are students, alumni, staff, or friends, whether we are from the earliest classes or classes yet to come, we pray that the Abbot will reconsider this momentous decision in Benedictines history. Our objections are not only numerous, but each is powerful in its own unique manner. Hopefully this petition will not fall on deaf ears, but will open dialogue between the non-monastic Benedictine community and the Abbot and monks. After all, the entire Benedictine family in conjunction with the monastic community has shaped Benedictine into what it has become and what it will continue to evolve into: an unparalleled educational experience. We will always pledge our undying allegiance to the Benedictine High School which we have all come to love and cherish over the past 96 years. However, we refuse to allow drastic alterations to be made to the strong Benedictine fabric, which has endured a mighty fire and countless other obstacles, without opposition in the name of prayers and thoughts. Just as our building has stayed strong, we pledge to remain just as mighty in our opposition. In closing, we maintain that the best way to bring the campus back together is to keep the campus right where it has always been!
