St. Benedict in chapter 65 of his Rule lays out the qualities of a Prior. He writes:

1 Too often in the past, the appointment of a prior has been the source of serious contention in monasteries. 2 Some priors, puffed up by the evil spirit of pride and thinking of themselves as second abbots, usurp tyrannical power and foster contention and discord in their communities. 3 This occurs especially in monasteries where the same bishop and the same abbots appoint both abbot and prior. 4 It is easy to see what an absurd arrangement this is, because from the very first moment of his appointment as prior he is given grounds for pride, 5 as his thoughts suggest to him that he is exempt from his abbot’s authority. 6 “After all, you were made prior by the same men who made the abbot.” 7 This is an open invitation to envy, quarrels, slander, rivalry, factions and disorders of every kind, 8 with the result that, while abbot and prior pursue conflicting policies, their own souls are inevitably endangered by this discord; 9 and at the same time the monks under them take sides and so go to their ruin. 10 The responsibility for this evil and dangerous situation rests on the heads of those who initiated such a state of confusion.

11 For the preservation of peace and love we have, therefore, judged it best for the abbot to make all decisions in the conduct of his monastery. 12 If possible, as we have already established, the whole operation of the monastery should be managed through deans under the abbot’s direction. 13 Then, so long as it is entrusted to more than one, no individual will yield to pride. 14 But if local conditions call for it, or the community makes a reasonable and humble request, and the abbot judges it best, 15 then let him, with the advice of God-fearing brothers, choose the man he wants and himself make him his prior. 16 The prior for his part is to carry out respectfully what his abbot assigns to him, and do nothing contrary to the abbot’s wishes or arrangements, 17 because the more he is set above the rest, the more he should be concerned to keep what the rule commands. 18 If this prior is found to have serious faults, or is led astray by conceit and grows proud, or shows open contempt for the holy rule, he is to be warned verbally as many as four times. 19 If he does not amend, he is to be punished as required by the discipline of the rule. 20 Then, if he still does not reform, he is to be deposed from the rank of prior and replaced by someone worthy. 21 If after all that, he is not a peaceful and obedient member of the community, he should even be expelled from the monastery. 22 Yet the abbot should reflect that he must give God an account of all his judgments, lest the flames of jealousy or rivalry sear his soul.
 

PRIORS OF SUBIACO BY YEARS OF SERVICE

Foundation/Dependent Priory:

1878-1881: Fr. Wolfgang Schlumpf
1881-1883: Fr. Bonaventure Binzegger
1883-1885: Fr. Benedict Brunet
1885-1886: Fr. Wolfgang Schlumpf

Independent Priory:

1886-1891: Fr. Wolfgang Schlumpf

Abbey:

1891-1896: Fr. Wolfgang Schlumpf
1896-1902: Fr. Gall D'Aujoud'hui
1902-1922: Fr. Augustine Stocker
1922-1925: Fr. Edward Burget
1926-1932: Fr. Basil Egloff
1932-1946: Fr. Ignatius Bodmayr
1946-1948: Fr. Benedict Borgerding
1948-1954: Fr. Albert Schreiber
1954-1959: Fr. Maurus Gerke
1959-1964: Fr. Raymond Wewers
1964-1968: Fr. Robert Lazzari
1968-1974: Fr. Raphael DeSalvo
1974-1982: Fr. Harold Heiman
1982-1991: Fr. Felix Fredeman
1991-1997: Br. Eric Loran
1997-2012: Fr. David Bellinghausen
2012-2015: Fr. Leonard Wangler
2015 - now: Br. Edward Fischesser