medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Boniface not be the first bishop to have run-ins with monks (Nicholas
Cusanus at Brixen/Bressanone in the 15thc would be an example). Wearing
chain-mail is scarcely a sin. One would have to exercise some critical
evaluation of the source in which this incident is related. Being hated
scarcely disqualifies one from being holy--it has been known to get
oneself crucified. It all depends on why one is hated and by whom.
Beatification is not a beauty contest or a democratic vote. Moreover,
exactly who hated him as archbishop? It would seem to be other members
of the social elites of the day. Has anyone examined Boniface's
household accounts to reach an independent judgment of his lavishness?
One always accuses one's opponents of hypocrisy etc.
He may have been a hypocrite. But I think one needs to evaluate the
accusers a bit before reaching a judgment. That he was considered holy
in Savoy but not in England by itself proves little, unless one believes
that the English have a corner on discerning holiness even if not on
possessing holiness. Those better acquainted with the political
situation at court can address his situation as archbishop of Canterbury
better than I can. There was a dissertation done on Boniface and the
politics of his day, published in the Analecta Cartusiana.
But surely there was more to this man than his career as archbishop of
Canterbury.
And, as far as I know, the Church has not put the ultimate stamp of
approval on him anyway--he remains a beatus, does he not?
Dennis Martin
>>> [log in to unmask] 07/13/02 16:52 PM >>>
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
culture
Boniface of Savoy (d. 1270) Boniface was the uncle of Queen Eleanor,
wife
of Henry III of England. Probably thanks to her influence, he crowned
his
ecclesiastical career by becoming archbishop of Canterbury in 1243. His
cult developed in Savoy, not England (formally approved in 1838); in
England he proved to be one of the most hated archbishops in the history
of
Christian England. He instituted a financial austerity plan (to pay off
his predecessor's debts), but was personally lavish. Boniface also
demanded visitation rights over resistant churches. At St.
Bartholomew's,
Smithfield, he is supposed to have knocked the subprior down after the
latter refused to receive Boniface; in the following fight, the monks
discovered that B. was wearing chain mail. So far I haven't seen any
evidence of holiness. Anybody have any notion why this guy should be
regarded as a saint?
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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