The Rt. Rev. Bishop Mark Jabale OSB
Died peacefully in his sleep on Friday 9th May 2025 aged 91
10th Abbot of Belmont Hereford
10th Bishop of Menevia, South Wales
Requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Swansea. Wales will be held on Friday 30th May 11.00am
Requiem Mass followed by interment at Belmont Abbey, Hereford in the presence of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster will be held on Thursday 5th June at 12 Noon.
In Memoriam: Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB (1933–2025)
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB died peacefully on Friday 9th May at Belmont Abbey, where he had spent the final years of his life. He gave many years of devoted service to the Church in a wide range of roles, both in the UK and abroad.
Archbishop Mark O’Toole, in sharing the news of his death, paid tribute to his “unstinting service to the Church” and noted that “many will mourn his passing.” He also expressed gratitude to the community at Belmont Abbey for their “kindness and fraternal care” in Bishop Mark’s later years. “It was touching to see how ‘at home’ he had become there,” the Archbishop wrote, adding, “I am grateful to God to have witnessed his serenity of spirit and to have been in receipt of his wise counsel.”
Born in Alexandria in 1933, Bishop Mark was educated at Belmont Abbey School. He later returned as Headmaster, a position he held from 1969 until 1983. In 1993, he was elected Abbot of Belmont, serving until 2000. Earlier in his monastic life, he had been sent to Peru to oversee the foundation of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Sullana, established by Belmont Abbey in the north of the country. After returning to the UK, he served as Prior and was later elected Abbot.
In 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Menevia, with the diocesan cathedral in Swansea. He served in this role until his retirement. After stepping down as Bishop, he continued in active ministry as parish priest of Chipping Norton. Later, he assisted Cardinal Vincent Nichols with episcopal duties in the Archdiocese of Westminster, including Confirmations, while living at Archbishop’s House.
Alongside his academic and pastoral commitments, Bishop Mark had a long-standing interest in rowing, developed during his years at Belmont School. He coached the Oxford University Boat Race crew for several years, and in 1979 coached the Great Britain lightweight coxless four to a Gold medal at the World Rowing Championships.
After more than 20 years away from Belmont, Bishop Mark returned to live once again in the monastic community. Archbishop O’Toole noted the joy shared by both Bishop Mark and the community in his return: “We are very pleased that Bishop Mark Jabalé has returned to the community, having been taken away to be Bishop of Menevia.”
We are grateful to the Abbot and Community of Belmont Abbey for their care and support of Bishop Mark in his final years. His death will be felt by many who knew him in the monastery, the school, the diocese of Menevia, and the wider Church.
“We pray that he will quickly enter into an eternal face to face with the Lord whom he served so well.” — Archbishop Mark O’Toole
