The subsequent abbatial election was inconclusive and Norwegian-born Father Erik Varden was appointed Superior "ad nutum" (i.e. with the agreement of the community). On 16 April 2015, Varden became the eleventh abbot of Mount St Bernard, following a further election, becoming the first abbot to have been born outside Britain or Ireland. In October 2019, Pope Francis chose Varden to be the next Bishop-Prelate of Trondheim, in Norway. Varden's chief legagy at the Abbey is perhaps the founding of its brewery during his office.