Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan has expressed his sadness that the Cistercian order in Roscrea is to relocate from Co Tipperary to an abbey in Co Louth.
"It is with great sadness that I learned in recent days of the decision of the Cistercian Community of Our Lady of Silence Abbey, Roscrea, formerly Mount Saint Joseph's Abbey, to relocate to Mellifont Abbey," Bishop Monahan said.
Since 1878, the Cistercian Abbey has been an integral part of the pastoral life of the Diocese of Killaloe, he said.
The Cistercian College at Mount Saint Joseph counts several prominent figures among its former students, including former taoiseach Brian Cowen and former tánaiste Dick Spring.
"I and the diocese of Killaloe am grateful that the Cistercians will continue as patrons of the college and the Cistercian spirit will continue to animate its life," the bishop said.
He said the abbey "holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Roscrea - those who prayed and worshipped there, the generations of pupils and staff associated with the school on the abbey grounds since 1905, and the many people who participated in spiritual retreats while availing of the outstanding hospitality of its welcoming guesthouse".
The farm on the college grounds also formed an important part of the fabric of the local hinterland.
The contribution of the monks and school staff to the life of education through the work of the boarding school is respected and appreciated all over the country and particularly with the strong sporting ethos, Bishop Monahan said.
"Perhaps the greatest gift given by the abbey is to the spiritual life of the church. This has been immense with so many deepening their faith through interaction with the monastery.
"The constant availability of the sacrament of reconciliation in the abbey has been a great source of sólás always. One is particularly mindful of the enduring spiritual legacy of people like Dom Eugene Boylan OCSO, former abbot, whose writings continue to be widely read by students of prayer and spirituality throughout the world," he said.
Bishop Monahan added: "While there is a deep sense of sadness and disappointment at local level, I understand that this decision follows a prolonged period of prayerful discernment and reflects the necessary rationalisation taking place in many areas of church life at present.
"I express my sincere gratitude to Dom Rufus and to all members of the Cistercian community, past and present, for their prayerful, contemplative, and pastoral presence in the Diocese of Killaloe. I assure them of my good wishes and prayers as they undertake this transition."