Thomas Becket and the Need for Holy, Heroic Bishops

By Deacon Keith Fournier
12/30/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

He stands in our day as an example for all Bishops - indeed all who must endure a hostile State

'There are a great many Bishops in the Church, but would to God we were the zealous teachers and pastors that we promised to be at our consecration.' Thomas Becket is a special witness for our beloved Bishops. Today they face the growing hostility of a State which has no tolerance for their insistence on the fundamental human right to life from conception to natural death.Like Thomas, they must refuse to bend.

The Bishop Thomas Becket at the altar

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CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - On December 29 we continue the celebration of the Octave (Eight days) of Christmas. The Church instructs us concerning the implications of the Nativity of the Lord in the selection of these feasts. In the Incarnation, which encompasses the entire saving life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, humanity was re-created in Christ the new Adam. He became like us in order to capacitate us to become like Him. That happens as we respond to the continual call of the Holy Spirit and receive the graces needed for our continuing conversion.

In our first reading for today's Mass we find these words from the beloved disciple John: "Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked." (1 John 2)

As members of the Risen Body of Christ, the Church, we are called to continue His redemptive mission; making Him present in every age until he returns to complete his work of redemption. We are called to "walk the talk", even when such a bold and brave witness of life places us at risk of being persecuted. The Saints reveal the heroic virtue which is to be manifested in the vocation to which we are all called in our Baptism. We are to become Saints, no matter what our state in life.

On this Octave day of Christmas we consider the life and martyrs' death of a Bishop named Thomas Becket. He faced a hostile government and refused to bend. He teaches us in our own day how vital it is to stay faithful to the Truth. For the Christian, the Truth is a Divine Person named Jesus Christ. We are called to bear His name and, in the words of the Apostle, "walk just as he walked."

However, Thomas Becket is a special witness for our beloved Bishops. Today they face the growing hostility of a State which has no tolerance for their insistence on the fundamental human right to life from conception to natural death.Like Thomas, they must refuse to bend.

Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118 to wealthy and respected parents. He was well educated and socially connected from his birth. At the age of 24 he obtained a coveted position with Theobald, the Archbishop of Canterbury. He quickly excelled in his work and climbed the ranks of ecclesiastical appointments. He was ordained a deacon in 1154 and appointed an Archdeacon of Canterbury.

At a time when Church and State were connected in a manner seldom seen any longer, he caught the attention of King Henry II who sought his advice and counsel regularly. He was appointed the Chancellor of England by the King and is noted to have grown quite comfortable with the trappings of office, living a rather lavish life.

When Archbishop Theobald died, Thomas Becket was nominated by the King for consideration as Archbishop. He was elected Theobald's successor in 1162. The grace of Episcopal office deeply affected Thomas, as it so often does. After all, Bishops, are successors of the Apostles.

Accounts reveal that Bishop Thomas radically changed his lifestyle, embracing the way of simplicity. He adopted ascetical practices and sought to grow closer to the Lord, increasing his prayer and devotion. He began to sleep on the floor, and simplified his once lavish diet. He gave away many of his possessions to the poor and began to prefer their company.

Thomas was drawn by the Holy Spirit and the grace of his office into a deeper conversion in Christ. He became an example to the faithful by "walking just as He walked" in the words of the beloved disciple John which we hear at Mass on his Feast. However, as is so often the case in the history of the relationship between the Church and the State, frictions began to emerge with the King. The Bishop's loyalties were tested.

Within two years, the frictions boiled over. Bishop Thomas was hated by the King who had formerly been his benefactor and champion. Thomas opposed the King's increasing infringements on the rights of the Church and the Clergy and the King grew angry and felt threatened.

As a result of his fidelity to placing the Lord first Thomas experienced a great spiritual renewal and earned the admiration of the faithful. However, this was accompanied by intense persecution from the King. He was forced into exile to France. Bishop Thomas returned six years later when it appeared that the King's wrath had subsided. It was short-lived.

The Bishop continued to place the Lord and His Church first in his exercise of office. He refused to take sides with the King in his repeated efforts to assert the primacy of his crown - and undermine the authority, teaching, discipline and Canon law of the Church. An account ...

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1 - 5 of 5 Comments

Robert Burford
4 months ago
All good comments. I have been weighting the ideas in the article for a couple of weeks. I agree with Bill Sr that it is what we teach our children. We need to teach our children and grandchildren that there are some things right and wrong.(Exodus 20). All the the Bishops in the world cannot stand unless there is "backup" from the pews. Every generation has to learn this. We are in a dark age where premarital sex, abortion and gay marriage are the norm . We need bishops and the congregation in the pews to say enough is enough. The Bible is clear and the catechism is clear. We need to get back to basics. However, the Bishops need support. We need to be a light to the world and set the standard as the Holy Mother Church has done for centuries and not give way to what is modern thought.
Nicole L.
4 months ago
I wish all bishops could read this article. Many bishops or let say many who take a vow to obey the church teachings and to spread the gospel are not really doing so. Many want to follow the secular world and want to change Christ teaching to fit with our evil world. It was surprising to see how the majority of protestants voted according to the teaching while our catholic brothers ignored it. What's wrong with this picture? I know a letter was sent to all the churches to help guide the congregations. Did all the pastors pass on the message? No. In one church I got the message very clearly, in another I heard the priest gave an explanation on how even though some are pro life they don't help people etc... Those people don't have no idea how our church is been persecuted,and even ridiculed. We are supposed to be the church defenders, the one that stand to destroy evil, to right the wrong instead we are the group that support evil. Where are the bishops in this country who must stand and be counted. Where are they when we need strong teaching to do what's right. How strong are they in their Catholic faith? Can they follow the example of Thomas B?.
judy claar
4 months ago
Wonderful article. Wonderful posts. Prayerful Blessings...
Tom McGuire
4 months ago
Yes to Bishops who live as Bishop Thomas Becket. We have had some examples in our life time Bishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.

Recently, I have met many people living close to extreme poverty. They are joyful loving people who not only obey the commandments but live evangelical poverty. Often they express sadness about the Church and her leaders who do not seem to live or proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, they do not dwell on or judge the imperfections of individuals or the Church, rather they have deep faith that Jesus is the Savior in whom all can trust.
Bill Sr.
4 months ago
We can agree that this life of ours is but for a season and how we live and share it with others is of eternal consequence for the body and soul which envelops it. This is why it is so important that as parents we honor our obligation to instill deeply within the hearts and minds of our children those very first two rules of the catechism "to know and to love God". Children without a true understanding of their heavenly father and why they were created and given life have little hope to perform the third rule of Christian life, "to serve Him". Hopefully we can see to it our little children develop the perspective that life here is like a playground where we sinners can train ourselves to become saints. The games or activities designed for us require only active loving participation and service at all times and a willingness to assist anyone needing help achieving the goals our heavenly Father has for us.
As grown ups we become so entrenched in our often drab day to day existence by the requirements of producing and providing that we forget that we too are children, God's children. We look at our little children playing and think of how worry free they are since we have taken on all their cares for them. We forget that "Our Father" through the Holy Spirit has lovingly provided our Lord Jesus who invites us to place our cares and worries upon him so that we too enjoy freedom to become children of God, His "saints". It has been said that a saint is someone who deep within his heart believes God loves him and offers him eternal life through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection and desires to use their life to witness, inform and assure others of the same truth about themselves. It's that simple.
So, who are the saints? They are people like you and me who believe and hope in their Creator and begin their heaven here on earth living Christ's prayerful request by helping build "thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven". We all have an "invitation" to sainthood and can respond according to our own abilities, gifts, and station in life willingly in the name of Jesus who relieves our burdens and has freed our spirits to be among the saints. Hopefully many of us will be among that "great number which no man could count" spoken of in Revelations which will eternally be the "communion of saints".
Father God, we pray that we can rejoice fully in the world as children of light and holiness so men can witness and know the truth of your merciful love and accept Jesus as their "personal" savior through and within the eternal "one body of Christ".
Yes, all are personally welcomed to the community of saints, here, now, and forever!

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