November 17th, Feast of Bishop Hugh of Lincoln

[CBHagman]

Among today's feast is that of Bishop Hugh of Lincoln, patron saint of war tax resisters! Can you tell I first read about him in The Catholic Worker?

Read on. You must scroll down past Saint Elizabeth of Hungary to get to this story. http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1117.htm

An excerpt:

"During the pogroms (1190-91) against the 2,000 English Jews following Henry's death (during the crusades of King Richard), Hugh acted as protector to the Jews of Lincoln, repeatedly facing down armed mobs and making them release their victims. It is said that after such a showdown he would go to play with children, tend the neglected sick, or visit outlying parts of his diocese--I guess to him seeking justice was just part of another day's work for the Kingdom."

The man had his quirks but was a remarkably progressive sort -- apparently quite enlightened in his attitudes towards women, a true friend of the poor, and of course a courageous speaker of the truth to power.

May we all have his humor, courage, and passion for justice!


(Check out the pet swan!)