New Zealand monk Justin Evans has disappeared from the remote Scottish island Papa Stronsay. Photo / Supplied
Perched on a small blustery island in the North Sea, a secluded Catholic monastery has become the focus of a search for a young Kiwi monk who vanished without a trace.
Originally from Christchurch, Justin Evans, 24, was last seen at Golgotha Monastery on the island of Papa Stronsay before midnight on April 11.
Police Scotland said a multi-agency search operation was underway to find Evans, who was last seen wearing a white robe.
He has been described as being about 1.82m tall, with short hair and a dark beard.
“I am now appealing for anyone who may have visited the island and have any information on Justin or his whereabouts to contact us,” said Inspector David Hall.
The isolated Papa Stronsay is one of 70 islands in the Orkney archipelago, located off the northeastern tip of mainland Scotland.
A traditionalist Catholic order, The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer bought the island in 1999 to form the Golgotha Monastery.
The order was founded to maintain the practice of celebrating the liturgy in Latin at a time when the Roman Catholic Church was encouraging priests to use local languages, the BBC reported.
The order’s founder, Father Michael Mary, told the BBC in 2020 the order purchased the previously abandoned island from a local farmer for £200,000.
The dozen or so monks are the only inhabitants of the low-lying island, which covers 74ha, roughly the size of the Auckland Domain.
Access to windswept and largely treeless Papa Stronsay is typically by small boat from the neighbouring island of Stronsay.
Named by Vikings in the 8th century, Papa Stronsay means “Priests’ Island on Stronsay” and monks are believed to have worshipped there as early as the 6th century.
The self-sufficient order, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists, occupy the historic ruins of the St Nicholas Chapel, which date back to the 11th century.
Brother Nicodemus told the BBC the monks’ routine and lifestyle mirrors that of the priests of the early church.
“We share a brotherhood with them in a very tangible way,” he said.
“It’s an entire life, an entire sacrifice, an entire mindset, an entire faith. It’s everything. The centuries don’t really separate us at all.”
The monks’ typical day begins at 5am with meditation and prayer, followed by study, work and religious services, ending with evening prayers and “great silence” at 9.30pm.
Evans was recently pictured reading scripture during a service marking the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, known colloquially as Candlemas, at the beginning of February.
He also partook in a traditional blessing ceremony during the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, with footage seen by the Herald capturing the New Zealander singing and waving a bell in unison with fellow monks.
Footage from the order’s YouTube channel shows the group participating in rituals such as the Marian procession with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
The group is also seen catching cod and mackerel from large nets in the surrounding waters.
Founded in the late 1980s, the Transalpine Redemptorists have New Zealand links.
The order has drawn scrutiny in recent years.
The Catholic Herald reported its members were told to leave the Diocese of Christchurch in July 2024, after an investigation at the Vatican’s request.
The Press reported in 2023 that the investigation concerned alleged abuse and unauthorised exorcisms.
The order appealed the ban, but in August last year Bishop Michael Gielen of the Diocese of Christchurch said it had been rejected, the Catholic Herald reported.