Abbot: Encyclopedia II - Abbot - Protestantism

Abbot - Protestantism

In the German Evangelical Church the title of abbot (Abt) is sometimes bestowed, like abbé, as an honorary distinction, and sometimes survives to designate the heads of monasteries converted at the Reformation into collegiate foundations. Of these the most noteworthy is the abbey of Lokkum in Hanover, founded as a Cistercian house in 1163 by Count Wilbrand of Hallermund, and reformed in 1593. The abbot of Lokkum, who still carries a pastoral staff, takes precedence of all the clergy of Hanover, and is ex officio a member of the consistory of the kingdom. The governing body of the abbey consists of abbot, prior and the "convent" of canons (Stiftsherren).

In the Church of England, the Bishop of Norwich, by royal decree given by Henry VIII, also holds the honorary title of "Abbot of St. Benēt." This title hails back to England's separation from Rome, when Henry, as supreme head of the newly independent church, took over all of the monastaries, mainly for their possessions, except for St. Benēt, who was spared because the abbot and his monks possesed no wealth, and lived like simple beggers. Because of this, Henry spared the monastery and disposed the incumbent Bishop of Norwich and seated the abbot in his place, thus the dual title still held to this day.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Protestantism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki