I share my birthday with St Richard of Chichester, a 12th century bishop in England.  He was a scholar and an advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury at one of the frequent times of tension and disharmony between the Crown of England and the Church in England and Rome. In his role of advisor to the Archbishop, Richard incurred the wrath of King Henry III and when he was elected Bishop of Chichester instead of King Henry’s candidate, the King refused to allow Richard his position in the Cathedral or his livings and rights as the Diocesan Bishop.  Richard exercised his episcopal ministry by wandering around the Diocese of Chichester, living with the ordinary clergy and people, travelling with people going to market and the vagabonds and those living rough in the woods. He became a respected and favourite leader among the people. Henry eventually had to accord Richard his rights and livings as the Bishop of Chichester where he worked hard to reform the Church and the conditions of the ordinary people.

I met Richard, actually his story, when I was a military chaplain and was wrestling with the task of challenging the system to care for and protect the ordinary members of the military.  I found him an inspiration and a strength in my spiritual and professional life. And I have been richly blessed by a prayer he wrote:  

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ                                          

For all the benefits Thou hast given me,        

For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,

May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly.            

Canon Donald J Lawton