The Rev. Douglas Mullin on Tuesday (Jan. 9) was elected the 11th Abbot of Saint John’s Abbey. 

Mullin, who made his solemn profession as a monk of Saint John’s Abbey in 1992, was elected on the first vote Tuesday morning, bringing to a close a process that began with nominations on Monday. He replaces Abbot John Klassen, who was elected in November of 2000 but retired in accordance with Church law as he approached his 75th birthday this month.

Mullin, who was ordained in 2007, currently serves as a chaplain at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and as a faculty resident in SJU’s Benet Hall. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, a Master of Arts in religious education and school administration, a Master of Divinity and a doctor of education in educational leadership.

He previously served as the Abbey’s subprior, vice president of student development at Saint John’s University, chair of the education department at SJU and the College of Saint Benedict and director of residency at Saint John’s Preparatory School.

“This is an exciting time of leadership transition,” said Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D., the president of CSB and SJU. “I applaud the monks on their deliberate and wise community discernment, and I look forward to working alongside Abbot Douglas, just as I have with Abbot John. I know that all of us here at Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict send our heartfelt congratulations to the new Abbot.”