Columba Cary-Elwes
Encyclopedia
Evelyn Charles Cary-Elwes (6 November 1903 – 22 January 1994), professed a monk as Dom Columba Cary-Elwes, OSB, of Ampleforth Abbey
in York, England. As a missionary he traveled to Uganda
, Tanzania
and Kenya
and is the author of numerous books on Christianity. He was the founding Prior
of the Priory of Saints Louis and Mary
in Saint Louis
, Missouri
, and titular Abbot
of Westminster Abbey
in London
.
in 1903 Cary-Elwes was one of eight children of Charles and Edythe Cary-Elwes. His father and maternal grandfather, Sir John Roper Parkington, were champagne shippers. They all spoke fluent French (subject of Fr Columba's degree and teaching). Schooled at Ampleforth College
, Evelyn tried his family calling for a couple of years, until he was clothed in the Benedictine
order at Ampleforth in 1923, his abbot giving him the name Columba. He was educated by the Jesuits at St. Michel, Brussels
, between 1913-14. In 1925 he professed his simple vows, and the following year he made his solemn vows. He matriculated at Oxford to study modern languages (French and Spanish) at the university's Benedictine foundation, St Benet's Hall, in 1927, before studying theology at Blackfriars from 1930 to 1933, when he was ordained a priest. After taking his degree, Fr. Columba returned to Ampleforth
, where he served as Monastic Librarian, as a teacher in the school, and housemaster of St. Wilfrid's House (1937–51). He led services at the chapel at Helmsley for several years.
Despite his advanced age, Fr. Columba left in 1968 for East Africa
to conduct spiritual retreats and inquire about establishing a monastic foundation in that region. In 1968, his travels took him to Nigeria
, Uganda
, Tanzania
and Kenya
. During 1969, he taught at a major seminary in Nairobi
. In 1970, he served as the Pope
's French interpreter during the Holy Father's visit to Uganda
, after which he returned to Ampleforth.
The interest in monastic foundations had not dimmed, however, and so in 1972, he was "loaned" (as his Ampleforth obituary describes it), to the Benedictines of Glenstal Abbey
in Ireland
, to help establish a monastery in Eke, Nigeria
, in 1974, where he served as Prior beginning in 1975. Fr. Columba was a close friend of the noted historian Arnold J. Toynbee
, who educated several of his sons at Ampleforth. In 1986, their correspondence, edited by the Saint Louis lawyer Christian Peper, is collected in An Historian's Conscience. During this period, he also helped to establish a Catholic seminary in Cameroon
. In his later years, he returned to Ampleforth, but made important ecumenical and spiritual renewal visits to Catholic communities and clerical establishments in the Philippines
, Australia
, India
, and Chile
. At nearly 90, he was appointed the Titular Abbot of Westminster in 1992.
Fr. Columba died on 22 January, 1994 at York Hospital. He was buried at Ampleforth.
, and the diplomat
and tenor
Gervase Cary Elwes
, respectively the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of actor Cary Elwes
.
Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey...
in York, England. As a missionary he traveled to Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and is the author of numerous books on Christianity. He was the founding Prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
of the Priory of Saints Louis and Mary
Saint Louis Abbey
The Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis is an abbey of the Roman Catholic English Benedictine Congregation located in St. Louis County, Missouri USA. The Abbey is an important presence in the spiritual life of the Archdiocese of St. Louis...
in Saint Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, and titular Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Early years
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1903 Cary-Elwes was one of eight children of Charles and Edythe Cary-Elwes. His father and maternal grandfather, Sir John Roper Parkington, were champagne shippers. They all spoke fluent French (subject of Fr Columba's degree and teaching). Schooled at Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey...
, Evelyn tried his family calling for a couple of years, until he was clothed in the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
order at Ampleforth in 1923, his abbot giving him the name Columba. He was educated by the Jesuits at St. Michel, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, between 1913-14. In 1925 he professed his simple vows, and the following year he made his solemn vows. He matriculated at Oxford to study modern languages (French and Spanish) at the university's Benedictine foundation, St Benet's Hall, in 1927, before studying theology at Blackfriars from 1930 to 1933, when he was ordained a priest. After taking his degree, Fr. Columba returned to Ampleforth
Ampleforth
Ampleforth is a village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, about north of York. The village is situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park...
, where he served as Monastic Librarian, as a teacher in the school, and housemaster of St. Wilfrid's House (1937–51). He led services at the chapel at Helmsley for several years.
Later years
In 1951, he was appointed Prior of Ampleforth, and four years later, was selected to be the founding prior of the new foundation at Saint Louis, where he served until June 1967.Despite his advanced age, Fr. Columba left in 1968 for East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
to conduct spiritual retreats and inquire about establishing a monastic foundation in that region. In 1968, his travels took him to Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. During 1969, he taught at a major seminary in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
. In 1970, he served as the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
's French interpreter during the Holy Father's visit to Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, after which he returned to Ampleforth.
The interest in monastic foundations had not dimmed, however, and so in 1972, he was "loaned" (as his Ampleforth obituary describes it), to the Benedictines of Glenstal Abbey
Glenstal Abbey
Glenstal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in Murroe, County Limerick. It is dedicated to Saint Joseph and Saint Columba. The current abbot of the monastery is Dom Patrick Hederman, OSB...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, to help establish a monastery in Eke, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, in 1974, where he served as Prior beginning in 1975. Fr. Columba was a close friend of the noted historian Arnold J. Toynbee
Arnold J. Toynbee
Arnold Joseph Toynbee CH was a British historian whose twelve-volume analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations, A Study of History, 1934–1961, was a synthesis of world history, a metahistory based on universal rhythms of rise, flowering and decline, which examined history from a global...
, who educated several of his sons at Ampleforth. In 1986, their correspondence, edited by the Saint Louis lawyer Christian Peper, is collected in An Historian's Conscience. During this period, he also helped to establish a Catholic seminary in Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. In his later years, he returned to Ampleforth, but made important ecumenical and spiritual renewal visits to Catholic communities and clerical establishments in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. At nearly 90, he was appointed the Titular Abbot of Westminster in 1992.
Fr. Columba died on 22 January, 1994 at York Hospital. He was buried at Ampleforth.
Family
He is related to the painters Dominick Elwes and Simon ElwesSimon Elwes
Lt. Col. Simon Edmund Vincent Paul Elwes, better known as Simon Elwes, RP, RA, KM was a British war artist and society portrait painter whose patrons included kings, queens, statesmen, sportsmen, prominent social figures and many members of Britain's Royal Family...
, and the diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
Gervase Cary Elwes
Gervase Cary Elwes
Gervase Henry Cary-Elwes, DL , better known as Gervase Elwes, was an English tenor of great distinction, who exercised a powerful influence over the development of English music from the early 1900s up until his death in 1921 due to a railroad accident in Boston at the height of his...
, respectively the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of actor Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes
Ivan Simon Cary Elwes , known professionally as Cary Elwes, is an English actor. The son of Dominick Elwes and Tessa Georgina Kennedy, Elwes acted in off-Broadway plays during college and moved to the United States in the early 1980s. He is known for his role as Westley in the cult classic The...
.
External links
- Columba Cary-Elwes at CatholicAuthors.com
- Obituary] at English Benedictine Congregation website
- Obituary at The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
- Saint Louis Abbey