About ICBE

International Commission on Benedictine Education

"Education has been an integral element of Benedictine history and is still an important part of Benedictine life today. In our global culture, we need an international organization to promote this aspect of Benedictine life. To this end, I am establishing the International Commission on Benedictine Education." Abbot Primate Dr. Notker Wolf, O.S.B. (November 2002)

The ICBE Mission

Prologue RB: "our aim then is to establish a school of the Lord's service."

The International Commission on Benedictine Education (ICBE) exists in order to support those schools which promote a Benedictine vision of education.

Aim & Objetives

To provide the spiritual and human resources needed to foster an international network of cooperation between Benedictine schools.

  • to organize an international symposium of the Benedictine Educators' Network (BENET) every three (3) years where teachers and administrators can support and inspire each other.
  • to sponsor regular International Benedictine Youth Congresses (IBYC) for students by appointing and overseeing a Congress Coordinator.
  • to encourage cooperation and friendship between Benedictine schools through regular regional meetings.
  • to develop sources of income, including an endowment fund, to sustain these projects and programs.

To foster the appreciation of Benedictine education expressed within different cultures

  • to facilitate the participation in BENET of all Benedictine schools, especially those that serve in materially deprived sectors of society.
  • to facilitate the participation of students from all Benedictine schools in IBYC, especially those from materially deprived sectors of society.
  • to encourage the participation in exchange programs of teachers and students in Benedictine schools.
  • to establish a solidarity committee to oversee school partnerships and distribution of funding between schools (eg. between Africa and USA and Germany)

To foster discussion about the Benedictine vision of education.

  • to facilitate the sharing of best practices regarding formation in Benedictine values.
  • to develop Benedictine leadership within BENET schools.
  • to create a digital platform to enable communication of best practices and resources.
  • to maintain a data base of Benedictine schools world-wide.

NOTE: A Benedictine school has one of the following characteristics:

  • sponsorship by Benedictine or Cistercian monks, nuns, or oblates
  • an explicitly Benedictine mission statement
Members of ICBE with Abbot Presidente Jeremias Schroeder, October 2024

Members of the International Commission on Benedictine Education

Member image Fr. Julian Maria Schaumlöffel OSB

Fr. Julian Maria Schaumlöffel OSB

ICBE President

Fr. Julian, born in 1970 in Bremerhaven, is a monk, teacher, and cellerer at Christ the King Abbey, Meschede.

Member image Dom Geraldo González y Lima OSB

Dom Geraldo González y Lima OSB

ICBE Vice President

Dom Geraldo is a Benedictine monk of Abadia São Geraldo in São Paulo, an educator and ICBE Vice President.

Member image James Duffy

James Duffy

ICBE Treasurer

James is the Dean of the Middle Division at St Benedict's Prep School, Newark, United States.

Member image Cristóbal Valdés Raczynski

Cristóbal Valdés Raczynski

ICBE Secretary

Cristóbal is an oblate of the Manquehue Apostolic Movement, Chile. A member of ICBE since 2013.

Member image Ignacio Tupper Castillo

Ignacio Tupper Castillo

ICBE Delegate for Hispanic America

Ignacio is an oblate of the Manquehue Apostolic Movement and currently Headmaster of Colegio San Benito.

Member image Fr. Robin Sebastian Checkathadahil OSB

Fr. Robin Sebastian Checkathadahil OSB

ICBE delegate for South Asia

Fr. Robin, a Sylvestrine Benedictine monk, is principal of Behill English School and education coordinator.

Member image Gabrielle Sinclair

Gabrielle Sinclair

ICBE Delegate for the Pacific

Gabrielle is Director of Mission at Good Samaritan Education in Australia.

Member image Michael Nikolai

Michael Nikolai

ICBE Delegate for North America

Michael is Associate Headmaster at St Louis Priory School, Missouri in the United States.

Member image Sr. M. Rosario Obiniana OSB

Sr. M. Rosario Obiniana OSB

ICBE Delegate for Southeast Asia

Sr. Rosario is Executive Director of Benedictine Schools in the Philippines and commission member since 2015.

Member image Sr. Lucy Ndung’u OSB

Sr. Lucy Ndung’u OSB

ICBE Co-Delegate for Africa

Sr. Lucy, a Benedictine nun, is St. Scholastica's administrator, with degrees in education and administration.

Member image Irmhild Fourie

Irmhild Fourie

ICBE Co-Delegate for Africa

Irmhild is principal of Inkamana High, holds Mathematics & Stats degrees, and was deputy principal & teacher.

Member image Elisabeth Krenhuber

Elisabeth Krenhuber

Co-delegate for Europe (German-speaking)

Elisabeth teaches Maths and History and is responsible for Public Relations at Stiftsgymnasium Kremsmünster.

Member image Dom Tomás Perez OSB

Dom Tomás Perez OSB

ICBE Delegate for Brazil

Dom Tomás, a Benedictine monk in Rio de Janeiro and ICBE Delegate since 2023, teaches Philosophy and Theology.

Emeritus Members

Sincere gratitude to those who helped build this global network of Benedictine Schools

  • + Brother Edward Englund OSB, Woodside, California, USA. Rest in peace
  • + Father Michael Hermes OSB, Meschede, Germany. Rest in peace
  • Al Zappelli, Portola Valley, California, USA
  • Anne Matz, Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Brother Josef Goetz OSB, Archabbey of St. Ottilien, Germany
  • David Donovan, Delbarton School, New Jersey, USA
  • Father Christopher Jamison OSB (Founding President), Worth Abbey, UK
  • Father Martin Browne OSB, Glenstal Abbey, Ireland
  • Hubert Hering, IBYC, German-speaking Europe
  • Isabel Steenkamp, South Africa
  • Lauren Donovan, Woodside Priory School, California, USA
  • Luz María Eguiguren Guzmán, Manquehue Apostolic Movement, Chile
  • Manuel Jose Echenique, Manquehue Apostolic Movement, Chile
  • Mario Canales Turpaud, Manquehue Apostolic Movement, Chile
  • Most Rev. Elias R. Lorenzo OSB (Former President), Summit, New Jersey, USA
  • Pater Martin Spernbauer OCist, Schlierbach, Austria
  • Patricia O'Gorman, Good Samaritan Education, Australia
  • Sister Celine Saplala OSB, Manila, Philippines
  • Sister Josefina Nepomuceno OSB, Manila, Philippines
  • Sister Judith Zonsius OSB, Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Sister Mary McDonald RGS, Sydney, Australia
  • Sister Meg Kahler RGS, Australia
  • Sister Xaveria Bang OSB, South Korea
  • Tim Molak, Portola Valley, California, USA