Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB, announces resignation
Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB, the spiritual leader and chief administrator of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, announced that he will resign as abbot. The resignation will become effective upon the election of a new abbot.
His successor will be elected by the Saint Meinrad monastic community on a date yet to be determined, following a period of discernment and discussion.
Archabbot Kurt has served as the 10th abbot and seventh archabbot of the 172-year-old Benedictine community for more than 10 years. He was elected on June 2, 2016.
“God has blessed me in so many ways during my tenure as abbot. Serving the Saint Meinrad monastic community and our many friends, co-workers, and benefactors has been a great privilege and a rare opportunity,” says Archabbot Kurt. “I ask God’s continued grace and guidance, and I look forward to serving my community and the Church in new ways as our new abbot will direct.”
During his tenure as abbot, he has overseen the closure of Abbey Press; the renovation of Monte Cassino Shrine, the Archabbey Library, and St. Anselm Hall; the Forward Together for the Life of the Church Campaign, which raised $11.15 million to establish the Institute for Sacred Music and the Center for Youth and Young Adult Evangelization and renovate the buildings that house them; and several environmental initiatives, including the installation of a geothermal system and a solar field.
Archabbot Kurt served as prior, second in monastery leadership, of Saint Meinrad Archabbey from July 9, 2010, until his election as abbot.
Born in Rüdesheim, Germany, on October 9, 1952, Archabbot Kurt professed vows as a Benedictine monk on August 15, 1975, and was ordained a priest on April 27, 1980. He received a Bachelor of Science in biology from Saint Meinrad College in 1974 and a Master of Divinity in 1980 from Saint Meinrad School of Theology.
He then earned a licentiate (1986) and a doctorate (1993) in sacramental theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
From 1978–81, Archabbot Kurt served as administrative assistant to the president-rector. In 1980, he was appointed associate spiritual director for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology for three years.
From 1986–90, he taught sacramental theology in the School and was assistant to the novice/junior master in the monastery. Also during that time, he served as secretary to the archabbot (1986–89) and as vocation director for the monastery (1986–90 and 1992–98).
Archabbot Kurt taught sacramental/liturgical theology in the Seminary and School of Theology from 1986–2016. For 10 years, he also served as the director of spiritual formation. Other assignments have included provost-vice rector of the School of Theology (2005–08) and chair of the Archabbey Church Renovation Committee (1993–97).
He is the author of several books, including A Confessor’s Handbook (a revised and expanded edition was published in 2010); Sacramental Theology: Means of Grace, Ways of Life; Return to Grace: A Theology for Infant Baptism; and his most recent book, From Sinners to Saints: A Guide to Understanding the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He has written numerous articles and book reviews for a variety of publications.
He has also given days of retreat and recollection for clergy and laity and served as the monastery’s master of ceremonies.