The Belmont Community joined the assembled congregation for Abbot Mark's Ordination as a Bishop at the Cathedral Church of St Joseph, Swansea on 7 December 2000. He took up residence in Swansea and has settled well into his new role.

Bishop Mark was Abbot of Belmont for nearly eight years. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1933. He studied at the Lycée Franççais in Alexandria, and joined Belmont Abbey School at the age of 14. He made his simple profession at Belmont in 1953, and his solemn vows in 1956. He studied theology at Belmont and Fribourg, Switzerland, where he gained his licence (LèsL). He was ordained priest at Belmont in 1958, and began teaching at Belmont Abbey School, going on to be Headmaster from 1969. In 1983, he supervised the building of Tambogrande Monastery in Peru. In 1993 he was elected Abbot.

Commenting on his appointment, Bishop Mark said: 'I am slightly taken aback but delighted for many reasons. First of all, I have known Bishop Mullins for many years, and he was always extremely supportive of me in my 15 years as headmaster. I am proud of our close association with the diocese. Belmont Abbey was the pro-cathedral of the old Diocese of Newport and Menevia until the 1900s, and the first two bishops were Benedictines. Belmont has also had a parish in Swansea for many years, and has supplied chaplains for the university.'

The bishops of England and Wales, at their annual Low-Week Meeting, elected Bishop Mark as new chairman of the Department of Christian Life and Worship, to succeed Bishop John Brewer who died in June. He thus has a very important role in overseeing liturgical developments in England and Wales.

 

When the Community were gathered for their annual Chapter in November the announcement came through that Pope John Paul II had appointed the Abbot Mark Jabalé to be the Catholic Coadjutor Bishop of Menevia.

For a period, as coadjutor, Bishop Mark assisted Bishop Daniel Mullins, who has been Bishop of Menevia since 1987. Menevia is the diocese that covers the south-west corner of Wales and takes its name from St David's ancient see.

On Tuesday 12th June, at a Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea, Bishop Mark succeeded Bishop Daniel Mullins as Bishop in full charge of the Diocese.