Obituary

Right Reverend Dom John Roberts, ninth Abbot of Downside
Right Reverend Dom John Roberts: born March 31, 1919; died February 1, 2000. He was Abbot of Downside, 1974-1990 ABBOT JOHN Roberts's talent was that virtually everyone he met was convinced that a personal bond had been established with this extraordinary monk. Any of those fortunate enough to have met him knew that this Priest was always ready to offer wise counsel.
David Roberts was born, one of twins, in Sunderland, Co Durham, educated at Downside School and at Trinity College, Cambridge where he gained an MA in Economics. He joined up at the start of the second world war and was commissioned into the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was amongst those who survived the savage fighting but were
captured and spent the remaining years of the war in a succession of German Prisoner of War camps.
He was liberated by General Patton at the end of the war and after a few months as a civilian he decided to join the community at Downside Abbey. During his long time in captivity it had been religion that had kept his spirits up and he had read and re-read The Imitation of Christ which he always kept by him.
In 1952 he taught mathematics in Downside School. As a result of his wartime experiences he was totally opposed to corporal punishment and when he had beaten boys in his house he would have to be reminded that the purpose of the exercise was to inflict pain. Under his subsequent rule as Abbot, corporal punishment was abolished and the boys were encouraged to develop naturally rather than be in what many regarded as an examination factory.
Dom John was Prior 1966-74. He then succeeded Abbot Passmore when he was elected Abbot on December 17 1974 and was re-elected for a second term of eight years in 1982.
During his time as Abbot time he served on many diocesan committees, and served as the Bishop's Vicar for Religious and so he had the care of all the nuns in the diocese.
After his time as Abbot, he worked in his parish until his health no longer allowed it. A fellow monk commented: "Abbot John had a simple straightforward spirituality, and was exemplary in his monastic observance in choir and other conventual duties up to his death."
Michael Brufal de Melgarejo