Ealing Abbey is not a romantic ruin in a secluded medieval landscape! We do live in the tradition of medieval monks, and monks going back over 1,500 years to the time of our founder, St Benedict, but today we are a thriving community living in west London.

We are seeking God as members of the Roman Catholic Church, living the monastic way of life as a community according to the Rule of St Benedict. We pray together in common (the Divine Office) and we meditate daily.

Work is one of the principal ways that we share our life of prayer and community with others. Our main works are parish work, running a school, running courses on Benedictine prayer and spirituality (BSAC) and by sharing our life with others who wish to find spiritual space.

The timetable of a typical day, we call it the 'Horarium', is:
  6.00 Matins;
  6.30 private prayer;
  7.00 Community Mass;
  7.40 Lauds;
  8.00 Breakfast; Work;
12.45pm Little Hours;
13.00 Lunch; Work;
18.35 Vespers;
19.00 Supper;
20.00 Compline.

The monastery was founded in 1897 from Downside as a parish, at the invitation of Cardinal Vaughan, then Archbishop of Westminster. It was canonically erected as a dependent Priory in 1916, with Dom Wulstan Pearson as its first Prior; he became the first Bishop of Lancaster in 1925. In 1947 it became an independent Conventual Priory, and in 1955 it was raised to the status of an Abbey by Pope Pius XII with Dom Charles Pontifex as its first Abbot. A School was started by Dom Sebastian Cave in 1902, and there are now about 600 pupils in the Senior School and 230 boys in the Junior School. The Parish, served from the monastery, is one of the largest in the country. There is guest accommodation for individuals who wish to spend some time apart or share our life, and there is a flourishing group of Oblates.

2nd October 2009


Dear Parishioners,

Fr David Pearce, a member of the monastic community, pleaded guilty on 10th August to serious criminal offences against children and has now been sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.

The crimes perpetrated by Fr David were a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a teacher and priest.  His exploitation of the most vulnerable was brought to an end by the courage of those of his victims who came forward and revealed what had been happening.

We have cooperated fully with the police throughout their investigation and I would like to express my thanks to them for the professional way in which they have dealt with this matter.

I would like to apologise in every way that I can to his victims and to everyone else who has been affected by this case.  I will remember in my prayers all those whose lives have been troubled by Fr David's actions.

I am instructing an independent review into this matter to examine what there is to be learned in order to ensure that there can never be a recurrence of this situation.

Fr David's future as a priest will now be reviewed in accordance with the child protection procedures of the Church and he will certainly never again serve as a priest.

If you have any concerns or questions on this matter I shall be present after all the Masses this Sunday, as will Mr Peter Turner, the Child Protection Officer for the Diocese.  I can also be contacted directly on 020 8862 2149 or by email at: dmartin@ealingabbey.org.uk

Abbot Martin