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  IF THE COMMUNITY IS A LARGE ONE
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: St. Benedict emphasizes the importance of choosing worthy
leaders and holding them accountable to maintain a healthy and
functioning community.

Topics: "Church Leadership", "Spiritual Discipline"
Scripture References: Proverbs 11:3, Proverbs 16:18, 1 Timothy 3:10, Titus 1:7

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of selecting brethren
of good repute and holy life to serve as deans within the community,
responsible for upholding God's commandments and the Abbot's
instructions. These deans should be chosen based on their character and
wisdom, not by rank, to assist the Abbot effectively. If a dean becomes
prideful and unrepentant after correction, they should be removed and
replaced by someone worthy. The same standard applies to the Prior
within the community.

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CONTENT
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If the community is a large one, let there be chosen out of it brethren
of good repute and holy life, and let them be appointed deans. These
shall take charge of their deaneries in all things, observing the
commandments of God and the instructions of their Abbot. Let men of such
character be chosen deans that the Abbot may with confidence share his
burdens among them. Let them be chosen not by rank but according to
their worthiness of life and the wisdom of their doctrine. If any of
these deans should become inflated with pride and found deserving of
censure, let him be corrected once, and again, and a third time. If he
will not amend, then let him be deposed and another be put in his place
who is worthy of it. And we order the same to be done in the case of the
Prior.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/if-the-community-is-a-large-one/
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