LAKE JAMES

NORTH CAROLINA

Blessed Robert Grosseteste, Bishop

Robert Grosseteste was one of the outstanding English bishops of the thirteenth century, and, at times, one of the most controversial. He was a gifted scholar, not only in theology, but also in law, medicine, languages, and the sciences. When the new Franciscan Order established a House of Studies in Oxford, he became not only the first teacher of theology, but through him the school began to emphasize physics, geometry, and mathematics as part of its curriculum.

In 1235, at the age of forty, he was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln, then the largest diocese in the English Church. He startled both his clergy and many laity by traveling regularly to every deanery where he preached, confirmed, and examined the local priests both as to their understanding of theology and the level of the pastoral care they gave to their flocks. In his early days as bishop, he deposed a number of abbots and priors, charging them with failing adequately to staff the parishes under their care. An immediate reaction was the protest, “My Lord, you are doing something new and exceptional!” His response was simply to say “I am obligated to visit the sheep committed to me with all diligence, as Scripture prescribes.”

His bravery in speaking out when faced with what he saw to be bad practice was not limited to the safety of his own diocese. On a visit to Rome, he made a famous speech, “De corruptelis Ecclesiae” attacking the then-common custom of appointing Italian priests who knew no English to be in charge of rich parishes and institutions in England. Further, when one of the Pope’s nephews was made a Canon of Grosseteste’s own Lincoln Cathedral, he refused to accept the appointment, saying “As an obedient son, I disobey, I contradict, I rebel…my every word and act is not rebellion, but filial honor due by God’s blessed command to father and mother.” (No wonder he was never officially canonized!) He died at the age of 78 on October 9, 1253, the day ever since kept as his feast day in church calendars.

[From “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” and other sources – A. T. K. Z.+]
 

A Collect for Blessed Robert Grosseteste, Bishop

O God, our heavenly Father, who raised up your faithful servant Robert Grosseteste to be a bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock; Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that, aided by his prayers, they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

----------------------------------------

To learn more about Blessed Robert Grosseteste from Wikipedia.org, click here.
 

This page last modified on Friday, April 11, 2008 09:40 PM