New Zealand Monk Missing From Island Retreat

Authorities are actively searching for Justin Evans, a 24-year-old monk with a distinct New Zealand accent, who has gone missing from the Golgotha Monastery on Papa Stronsay. He was last sighted shortly before midnight on Saturday. Evans is described as approximately 6 feet tall with short hair and a dark beard, and was last seen wearing a white robe.

Extensive inquiries and searches are being conducted across the island and surrounding areas by police, the Kirkwall Lifeboat, and coastguards. Inspector David Hall expressed growing concern for Evans's welfare due to the passage of time and urged anyone with information to come forward. The Golgotha Monastery, established in 1999 by the Transalpine Redemptorists, is a Traditional Catholic monastery where monks observe a strict, self-sufficient lifestyle.

The island of Papa Stronsay has a rich history, with monastic life recorded as far back as the 6th Century. The current order, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, is dedicated to maintaining the tradition of celebrating the liturgy in Latin. The community, typically around a dozen members, purchased the island to serve as a place of retreat and prayer.