Police continue search for Kiwi monk missing in Scotland

Justin Evans, 24, was last seen shortly before midnight on April 11 (local time) at the Golgotha Monastery on Papa Stronsay, Orkney, where he’d been living for the past two years.

“Extensive and detailed searches using local police resources and partner agencies have been carried out on the islands of Papa Stronsay and Stronsay, including along the shorelines,” Police Scotland Inspector David Hall said.

“Coastal areas on other nearby islands will continue to be searched by local and specialist police resources and partners.

“Our thoughts are very much with Justin’s family at what is a very difficult time,” he said.

Inspector Hall said there was no evidence to suggest any suspicious circumstances or criminality were involved in Mr Evans’ disappearance.

The Diocese of Aberdeen said it was believed that Mr Evans, who took the religious name Br Ignatius Maria, had come to harm in conditions involving the sea and was presumed dead. The diocese said the search had been called off, but Police said efforts were continuing.

Br Ignatius was a student at St Bede’s College in Christchurch in the late 2010s, where he played for the school’s 1st XV rugby team.

The monastery where Br Ignatius was living in Scotland was established by the traditionalist Catholic order the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1999. A monastery spokesman said Br Ignatius might have been suffering from “long-term hypothermia”.

After allegations of unauthorised exorcisms and spiritual and psychological abuse in Christchurch prompted a Vatican investigation, local priests lost their faculties and the order was asked to leave Christchurch Diocese in 2024. The order appealed to the Vatican, but this was rejected.

FULL STORY

Scottish police still searching for missing Kiwi monk Justin Evans despite diocese announcing ‘presumed death’ (By Tom Rose and Lachlan Lineham/New Zealand Herald)

New Zealand monk missing from remote Scottish monastery may have had ‘long term hypothermia’, founder says (Radio New Zealand)

Harder than thou | Religion (The Guardian)