The Benedictine monks of Mount Angel Abbey elected the Rev. Gregory Duerr, 72, as their 11th abbot on Wednesday, behind the closed doors of their refectory.Details of the election are secret, in accordance with Roman Catholic church law, but 57 monks were eligible to vote.
Duerr succeeds Abbot Nathan Zodrow, who retired last August, citing health concerns.
Duerr, who has served as prior since 2007, was born in Pierz, Minn., and moved to Mount Angel with his family in 1943.
He entered the abbey as a novice in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1964.
He has master's degrees in classical languages and formative spirituality.
After the election Duerr received the pectoral cross presented to the first Mount Angel abbot in 1904.
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