Abbot Ambros Ebhart is retiring from the monastery leadership after 18 years

Abbot Ambros Ebhart is retiring from the monastery leadership after 18 years

On February 8, 2025, there was a significant change in leadership at Kremsmünster Abbey, which was under the long-time abbot Ambros Ebhart. After 18 years at the head of the monastic community, Ebhart, who is 72 years old and comes from the Waldviertel, expressed his gratitude for the “blessed” time that he was able to experience together with the people. In his farewell remarks, he said that there had been both challenges and numerous positive experiences during his time in office. In particular, the processing of cases of sexual abuse in the Stiftsgymnasium boarding school remains a defining event of this era ooe.orf.at clarifies.

His successor, Abbot Bernhard Eckerstorfer, was unanimously elected by the community and now has the responsibility of positioning the monastery as a “point of contact with God”. Ebhart emphasizes that Eckerstorfer has the right balance of consistency and charm, which makes him a popular figure in the community. The new abbot faces the challenge of preserving the monastery's traditions while at the same time providing new spiritual impulses. The upcoming projects, such as the general renovation of the collegiate church and the celebrations of the monastery's 1,250th anniversary in 2027, are of central importance stift-kremsmuenster.at reported.

A look at Ambros Ebhart's legacy

Ambros Ebhart's work shaped the monastery and its handling of past allegations of abuse. Since his election as abbot in 2007, he has introduced significant changes, including the comprehensive investigation into the allegations and significant construction projects to modernize the collegiate high school. Ebhart always placed the service of prayer in the foreground and saw himself as the “first prayer in the house”. His motto “Per Ducatum Evangelii” signals the principles that should also enable the new leadership to grow towards spiritual renewal.