Hugh & Robert, Bishops of Lincoln

Today the Church remembers and honors the life and ministry of 2 bishops from the Diocese of Lincoln in England, Hugh (1140-1200) and Robert Grosseteste (1175-1253).

 

Hugh was born in France.  When he was 15, Hugh became a religious novice and was ordained a deacon at 19. Around 1159, Hugh was sent to be the prior of the nearby monastery at Saint-Maximin. From that community, he left the Benedictine Order and entered the Grande Chartreuse, then at the height of its reputation for the rigid austerity of its rules and the earnest piety of its members. There he rose to become procurator of his new order until he was sent in 1179 to become prior of the Witham Charterhouse in Somerset, the first Carthusian house in England.  King Henry II, who in reference to Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas a Becket, uttered the phrase, “will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest,” did penance for his statement and the resulting murder of the Archbishop by Henry’s knights, frequented the  monastery where Hugh was prior.   In May 1186, Henry summoned a council of bishops and barons at Eynsham Abbey to deliberate on the state of the Church and the filling of vacant bishoprics, including Lincoln. On 25 May 1186, the cathedral chapter of Lincoln was ordered to elect a new bishop and Hugh was elected. Hugh insisted on a second, private election by the canons, securely in their chapterhouse at Lincoln rather than in the king's chapel. His election was confirmed by the result.

 

Hugh was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln on 21 September 1186 at Westminster. Immediately Hugh established his independence from King Henry. As a bishop, Hugh was exemplary, constantly travelled within his diocese and generous with his charity. He raised the quality of education at the cathedral school. Hugh was also prominent in trying to protect Jewish people, who lived in great numbers in Lincoln, in the persecution they suffered at the beginning of Richard I’s reign, and he put down popular violence against them in several places.

 

Robert Grosseteste was born into a poor family.  He was very intelligent and has been called "the real founder of the tradition of scientific thought in medieval Oxford, and in some ways, of the modern English intellectual tradition". See A. C. Crombie.  He became Chancellor of the University of Oxford.

At the same time he began lecturing in theology, Hugh (discussed above) appointed him Archdeacon of Leicester.  James Kiefer writes: “In 1235, he was elected Bishop of Lincoln, in area the largest diocese in England. He promptly visited all the churches in the diocese and quickly removed many of the prominent clergy because they were neglecting their pastoral duties. … He insisted that his priests spend their time in the service of their people, in prayer, and in study.”  Robert also spoke out against the King’s tyranny and was there when the Magna Carta was signed.

 

Let us pray:  Holy God, our greatest treasure, you blessed Hugh and Robert, Bishops of Lincoln, with wise and cheerful boldness for the proclamation of your Word to rich and poor alike: Grant that all who minister in your Name may serve with diligence, discipline and humility, fearing nothing but the loss of you and drawing all to you through Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you in the communion of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Our Church Thanksgiving Lunch will be Sunday, 23 November 2014 following the 9 AM Eucharist.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially Patricia Florence’s family.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550