Thomas Becket Dec. 29th

Today is the memorial of St. Thomas Becket. He was born of parents who came from Normandy, and then they settled in England. He learned to read at Merton Abbey and then studied in the parish. On leaving school he employed himself in secretarial work. Somewhere about the year 1141, he entered the service of Theobold, Archbishop of Canterbury, and in that household he won his master's favor and eventually became the most trusted of all his clerks. Theobald recognized his capacity and after allowing him to go for a year to study civil and canon law, he ordained him a deacon in 1154. During this time, King Stephen died and the young monarch Henry II became master of the kingdom. While archdeacon of Canterbury, he was made chancellor of England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II. When Henry felt it advantageous to make his chancellor the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave him fair warning: he might not accept all of Henry’s intrusions into Church affairs. Nevertheless, in 1162 he was made archbishop, resigned his chancellorship, and reformed his whole way of life!

Troubles began. Henry insisted upon usurping Church rights. At one time, supposing some conciliatory action possible, Thomas came close to a compromise. He momentarily approved the Constitutions of Clarendon, which would have denied the clergy the right of trial by a Church court and prevented them from making direct appeal to Rome. But Thomas rejected the Constitutions, fled to France for safety, and remained in exile for 7 years. When he returned to England he suspected it would mean certain death. Because Thomas refused to remit censures he had placed upon bishops favored by the king, Henry cried out in a rage, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest!” Four knights, taking his words as his wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral on December 29^th, 1170. Thomas Becket remains a hero-saint down to our own times.

Oh if only bishops today would stand up against government authorities who try to take away the rights of the Church. Thomas Becket pray for our bishops, that they imitate you in your courage and your faith.