Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Monk’s new role
Dom Martin chosen as Prinknash abbot
He added: “I got to know the monks at Pluscarden Abbey when I was a teenager – and felt that whatever effect life was having on the character of these men, it made them very attractive characters.
“I didn’t know much about the life of monks but thought whatever this was must be worth doing. I spoke to one of the monks who advised me to come to this monastery; I’ve been here 33 years and haven’t looked back.”
Dom Martin will be officially anointed in his role as the sixth abbot of Prinknash Abbey in three weeks’ time, with his siblings and extended family all planning to travel to the celebration.
He added: “The Bishop of Clifton will give me the symbols of the abbot, which are a ring, mitre and staff.
“It will be a happy celebration and will be very nice to have all the family coming down for that.”
Dom Martin moved to Coatbridge from Belfast at the age of seven with parents John and Margaret; he is one of 10 siblings, one of whom sadly passed away last year.
His sister, Bernadette Morgan, told the Advertiser: “We’re all as proud as punch that he’s been elected to the highest honour at Prinknash; and I think he’s done very well for an ordinary boy from an ordinary family.
“We grew up in Townhead, and three of us are still in Coatbridge. It was when he was living in Elgin, after leaving St Ambrose High, that Martin met the monks there and thought that was what he wanted to do and made it his calling. All the family will be going down to the blessing, travelling from all over, and it will be a lovely occasion.”