St. Richard of Chichester

St. Richard defended the freedom of the Church, reformed his diocese, and served the poor despite royal opposition and personal hardship.

The story

Richard was born about 1197 near Droitwich in Worcestershire. His family lost much of its property, and Richard worked to restore the estate before choosing a life of study. He attended Oxford and then studied in Paris and Bologna, where he became skilled in canon law. Although opportunities for an advantageous marriage and an academic career were available, he entered the service of St. Edmund of Abingdon, the archbishop of Canterbury.

As Edmund's chancellor, Richard supported the archbishop in defending the rights of the Church against interference by King Henry III. After Edmund died in exile in 1240, Richard studied theology with the Dominicans at Orléans and was ordained a priest. He later returned to England and served Archbishop Boniface of Savoy. The canons of Chichester elected Richard as their bishop in 1244, but the king opposed the choice and seized the temporal revenues of the diocese.

Pope Innocent IV confirmed Richard's election and consecrated him at Lyon in 1245. Since the royal government withheld the bishop's residence and income, Richard lived with sympathetic clergy, including the parish priest at Tarring. He traveled through his diocese on foot, celebrated the sacraments, visited the poor, and carried out episcopal duties without access to his property. The king finally restored the diocesan possessions in 1247 after continued papal pressure.

Richard worked to improve clerical discipline, ensure reverent celebration of the Mass, and protect the free administration of the sacraments. He was known for personal simplicity and generous almsgiving. In 1253 he traveled to Dover, where he was preaching in support of a crusade called by the pope. He became ill and died there on April 3. Pope Urban IV canonized him in 1262. His shrine at Chichester Cathedral became a major pilgrimage destination before it was destroyed under Henry VIII in 1538. A well-known prayer asking to know Christ more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly is traditionally attributed to Richard, although its authorship cannot be established with certainty.

What Richard teaches

St. Richard shows that fidelity may require patient service without recognition, security, or material support. Episcopal ministry exists to guard the faith and serve the flock, not to obtain privilege, as CCC 894 teaches. His example also invites every Christian to know, love, and follow Christ more faithfully.

Patronage

Diocese of Chichester, Sussex, coachmen.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of St. Richard, strengthen your bishops in courage, holiness, and pastoral charity. Help us to know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly each day. Amen.