śp. Abbot Dom Klaus Dieter Schlapps OPR of the Abbey of St. Severin in Kaufbeuren, Germany, which is part of the Christ-Catholic Church in Germany under the auspices of the Nordic Catholic Church, entered into his eternal rest on Sunday, January 20, 2013. śp. Dom Klaus was also the Abbot General of the Order of Port Royal, an Ecumenical Cistercian Congregation of secular professed monks, nuns, and oblates.

śp. Dom Klaus’ passing was sudden and unexpected. He passed in the midst of his brothers in the Abbey. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brothers as well as his family, friends, and all in community of the Order of Port Royal.

Brother Johannes, speaking on behalf of the Abbey of St. Severin recalled śp. Dom Klaus as a candle burning at both ends. “He spread twice as much light, but his life was thus shorter. Dom Klaus helped so many people. He had a deep abiding faith and trust in God. Whenever problems arose he encouraged his brothers, saying: ‘Faith in God, trust in God, it opens up a path, there is a solution.’ God used him as an instrument of his love.”

The cords of death encompassed me,
the torrents of perdition assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me,
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.
He reached from on high, he took me,
he drew me out of many waters.
He brought me forth into a broad place;
he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his ordinances were before me,
and his statutes I did not put away from me.
I was blameless before him,
and I kept myself from guilt.
Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. (Psalm 18:4-6,16,19-24)

Eternal rest grant unto your servant, priest, and abbot Klaus and may the perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Ewige Ruhe schenke ihm, o Herr! Und das ewige Licht leuchte ihm!
Lasse ihn ruhen in Frieden. Amen.