Lecture: A Benedictine Guide to the Future

The 2026 Charles Gore Lecture: 'Lord, we do not know where you are going': A Benedictine Guide to the Future, with Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB.

The desire for stability in an uncertain world is as strong as ever. The difficulty of conversations between opposing factions is getting harder. In a culture of self-fulfilment, obedience is no longer seen as a virtue. Yet for 1,500 years Benedictine monks and nuns have been taking vows of stability, conversation and obedience, and their monasteries have outlasted powerful dynasties and regimes. In this lecture, Abbot Christopher explored what this tradition offers people today as they experience not simply ‘an era of change but a change of era’ (Pope Francis).

About our speaker

Abbot Chrisopher Jamison is a monk and currently serves as Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation to which Westminster Abbey once belonged. He has worked as a theology teacher and a head teacher, and was Abbot of Worth Abbey. He is best known for his work in media and is a trustee of CTVC, a company specialising in religious and ethical media production. His books include Finding Sanctuary, Finding Happiness, and Finding the Language of Grace.  

About the Charles Gore Lectures

Charles Gore (1853-1932) was a Canon of Westminster between 1894 and 1902. As a memorial to him an endowment fund for a series of annual lectures was established and since 1935 a lecture has been held at the Abbey almost every year.

Discover more about our Gore lectures here: www.westminster-abbey.org/gore