Scottish police say they’re still trying to locate missing Christchurch-born monk Justin Evans, despite the Diocese of Aberdeen earlier claiming search efforts had been called off.
Evans, 24, was last seen at the Golgotha Monastery on Papa Stronsay, Orkney, shortly before midnight on April 11 (local time), where he’d been living for the past two years.
In a statement shared early this morning, Police Scotland Inspector David Hall confirmed the search for Evans remained ongoing and would continue into next week.
“Extensive and detailed searches using local police resources and partner agencies have been carried out on the islands of Papa Stronsay and Stronsay, including along the shorelines.
“Coastal areas on other nearby islands will continue to be searched by local and specialist police resources and partners.”
Hall said there was no evidence to suggest any suspicious circumstances or criminality were involved in Evans’ disappearance.
“Our thoughts are very much with Justin’s family at what is a very difficult time,” he said.
“Any further relevant information reported to police about Justin and the circumstances leading up to him going missing will be acted upon.”
The statement contradicts one earlier released by the Diocese of Aberdeen – the Catholic authority for Scotland’s Orkney archipelago – claiming police and coastguard had already called off the search.
The diocese yesterday said it had learned “with deep sadness of the disappearance and presumed death” of Evans, whom it called Brother Ignatius.
“It is believed that he came to harm in conditions involving the sea,” the statement said.
“The local police and coastguard services have now called off their searches.
“Brother Ignatius was known for his humility and charity, and our prayers are with his community and family at this difficult time.”
Evans is from Christchurch, where he grew up and attended local schools.
He was a student at St Bede’s College in the late 2010s, where he played for the school’s 1st XV rugby team.
A statement from Police Scotland after Evans’ disappearance described him as around 6ft (1.82m) tall, with short hair and a dark beard.
He spoke with a New Zealand accent and was last seen wearing a white robe, police said.
Despite its isolation, photos posted to the monastery’s Facebook page Insula Papey Minor (the island’s Latinised name) have offered a glimpse into Evans’ monastic lifestyle.
He was most 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.
Evans also took part 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.
The monastery was established by the traditionalist Catholic order Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, which has New Zealand links.
Founded in the late 1980s, the order has faced controversy in Christchurch, where it established a second monastery in the 2000s.
After allegations of unauthorised exorcisms and spiritual and psychological abuse were exposed in a 2023 Newshub report, the Vatican flew Australian Bishop Robert McGuckin to New Zealand to conduct its own investigation into the order.
During the investigation, 17 members raised concerns about the group’s leaders, Father Michael Mary and Father Anthony Mary, accusing them of engaging in controlling and manipulating behaviour and interfering in the lives of present and former members.
Bishop Michael Gielen subsequently stripped both priests of their religious faculties and told the order’s members to leave the Diocese of Christchurch following advice from the Vatican, the Herald revealed in July 2024.
The order appealed the ban, but in a letter sent to his diocese in August last year, Bishop Gielen confirmed the Vatican had “rejected in its entirety” the appeal.
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