THE new Abbot of Ampleforth, the Rt Rev Cuthbert Madden, was blessed by the Rt Rev John Crowley, the Bishop of Middlesbrough, at the abbey, near Helmsley, yesterday.

Because the church was packed with invited guests, including many bishops and Benedictine monks, visitors were, unusually, excluded.

An abbey official said earlier in the week: "I'm afraid visitors won't be able to come as the church is too small."

The ticket-only event was a "relatively private affair," with the new abbot receiving a blessing from the bishop, in whose diocese the abbey lies.

One of the main reasons for banning visitors to the blessing ceremony was for "health and safety issues," said the abbey, which stressed that the public would have opportunities throughout the year to meet the new abbot at other services.

The abbot, 50, was a hospital surgeon for six years before joining the monastery. He was a house master at Ampleforth College.

A qualified doctor, he was elected by his brother monks in February. He succeeded Abbot Timothy Wright, who served the usual eight years in charge of the community, which serves parishes all over the country. Several of them are in North Yorkshire, including Osmotherley, Easingwold and Kirkbymoorside.

The new abbot presided at High Mass on Easter Sunday, when many of the 350 people who had attended a Holy Week retreat packed the church.

After the service, he thanked everyone who had helped with the retreat.