CHAPTER 11: Wilfrid is elected to the episcopacy [664]
CHAPTER 11
Wilfrid is elected to the episcopacy [664]
THE kings next consulted the councillors of the realm to decide upon whom to elect to the vacant see. The candidate must be of sterling character, acceptable to God and man, and willing both to make the discipline of the Apostolic see his own and to seek to spread it. Their choice was unanimous.
‘No better nor worthier man could be found among us than Wilfrid, priest and abbot. He has proved himself wise in all things. We know him to be such as the apostle Paul describes to Titus: “For a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not subject to anger, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but given to hospitality, gentle, sober, just, holy, continent, embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince the gainsayers.”2 He has every quality Paul thinks necessary. We therefore elect him in his prime of manhood to teach the law of God.’ Like John the forerunner of the Lord and the prophet Ezekiel, he was chosen at the age of thirty. The election had the backing of the kings and of all the people; St Wilfrid was bidden to accept the rank of bishop in the Lord’s name by the whole assembly. First of all he declined, on the grounds that he was not worthy. Later, he thought it better to obey and not try to flee from God’s blessing.
We who are still living hold exactly the same opinion about him as was current then.
In speech he was always pure and open, tempering scrupulous regard for truth and solemnity of manner with a persuasive charm. His main topics of conversation were the mysteries of the law, the teachings of the faith, the virtue of continence, and the practice of right living. To everyone he gave varying advice, advice always suitable to the individual character, for he knew, before ever he opened his mouth, exactly what to say and when and how and to whom to say it. He laid special emphasis on prayer, fasting, and vigils, and was forever searching the scriptures and studying the canons of the Church. He had a wonderful memory for texts. In imitation of the saints he spread peace among his brethren. He was full of humility and charity – charity which is worth far more than any other gift, without which every other virtue is vain. He cared for the poor, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, welcomed strangers, brought back captives, and protected the widow and orphan, all so that he might win the reward of eternal life amid the choirs of angels with Jesus Christ our Lord.