| Alistair 2005-12-15, 6:55 pm |
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James J. Gavan wrote:
> Alistair wrote:
> Martyrdom usually implies 'dying for one's faith'. That's not the case
> with Thomas.
>
> He and Henry II were good boozing and whoring buddies. Henry wanted to
> control the hierarchy, so with great reluctance Thomas was fast-tracked
> to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. Once wearing the Canterbury
> mitre he too 'got religion' and sided with the bishops particularly with
> reference to Church Courts as opposed to Crown Courts. It all gets very
> complicated - but Thomas was challenging Henry's authority as king.
>
> In sheer exasperation it is claimed Henry uttered the words, "Who will
> rid me of this troublesome priest ?". Thy wish is but my command - four
> of his knights/barons took him up on his comment, went off to Canterbury
> and murdered Thomas.
>
> Hardly grounds for martyrdom - nevertheless he was eventually canonized.
>
> Jimmy
That seems as close to dying for your faith as any definition I have
ever heard of.
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