Bones of Thomas Becket to Return to Canterbury - via Hungary

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1/21/16 | John Bingham

[marshmallow]

Relics which escaped Reformation and became a symbol of resistance to Communism return to site of murder after 800 years in gesture of unity between Anglicans and Catholics

A fragment of bone believed to come from the body of Thomas Becket is to return to England from Hungary for the first time in more than 800 years in a vivid symbol of reconciliation between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

The relic, held in the Basilica of Esztergom, the country's most important Catholic church, is to form the centrepiece of an elaborate week-long "pilgrimage" to London and Canterbury involving the Hungarian President Janos Ader, and top-level clerics from the two churches.

It will be reunited temporarily with a handful of other relics revered for their associations with the murdered archbishop as it travels from his birthplace on Cheapside in the City of London to the site of his murder in Canterbury Cathedral.

Its presence in Hungary meant that the fragment, believed to be from Becket's arm, escaped the destruction of the Reformation in England when the shrine containing most of his remains was obliterated as the practice of venerating saints came to be condemned as "idolatrous" and Catholic.

[Tax-chick]

That’s cool.

[IronJack]

The Reformation destroyed so many precious artifacts of Britain's history. It's a tragedy on par with the islimic obliteration of non-muslime works like the Bamiyan Buddhas and ancient Christian churches.

However, England's blunder occurred 500 years ago. Islime's continues apace.

[PeteePie]

Neat! I highly recommend the movie starring two legends, Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton, the acting is superb and the authenticity (except perhaps in their choice of King Louis) carries the weight of this flick to artistic and riveting heights. It’s one movie where special effects have no place or need. It’s sheer human drama that effectively communicates the virtue of honor, God’s honor and that of a repentant, broken man.

[chajin]

[billorites]

Will nobody rid me of this meddlesome Trump?

[Slyfox]

All that destruction was caused by deal-maker Thomas Cromwell. His deals included threats of being accused of high treason.

[chajin]

All that destruction was caused by deal-maker Thomas Cromwell. His deals included threats of being accused of high treason.

I have been thinking that the GOP nomination battle this year is the equivalent of Cromwell and More, with Trump as Cromwell (dealmaker who get the job because he claims he will make England great again) and Cruz as More (incredible lawyer and debater, whose principled stances in the face of opposition end up being his downfall). But if I go any further I will stir the overflowing acid cauldron ripping apart FR, so I will stop here.

[Slyfox]

I have been thinking that the GOP nomination battle this year is the equivalent of Cromwell and More

I have just finished 6 years of research on what really happened in England in those days. You could not be More correct.

I have found in the reading of More's own words that he wistfully dreamed of a day when a group of men, all trained in natural law, ruling in favor of the people as God designed it to be.

History is indeed repeating itself.

[Bigg Red]

Nice.

[Bigg Red]

:)

[IronJack]

It was arguably authored by Henry Tudor, not the minions serving his anti-Catholic whims. But Cromwell certainly contributed enthusiastically to the overall effort.

[Slyfox]

Authored by Henry? No. Henry relied on others to do his will and his thinking. Henry only wanted his girl problem to vanish, and Cromwell suited his interest.

Cromwell was the Karl Rove of his day.

[IronJack]

Henry relied on others to do his will and his thinking.

My point exactly. It was Henry who had Sir Thomas More executed. It was Henry who elevated lackeys like Cranmer and Cromwell to positions of influence and authority. And it was Henry who desperately needed the money he gained from the Dissolution.

So yes, Cromwell and his ilk were the foot soldiers, even the generals, in Henry's war. But make no mistake. It was HENRY'S war.

[Slyfox]

Cromwell took care of business for the man.

You see Henry did not like paperwork, but he found a guy who would do his dirty work for him.

I would entreat you to look up how Cromwell treated the good monks at Charter House.

[IronJack]

I understand. But under whose orders was Cromwell acting when he dissolved the Priory? Not his own, that's for certain. And although it was he who ordered the butchery of the Prior and his associates, it was because they refused to recognize Henry as the Head of the Church, just as Sir Thomas More had.

I think we're on the same page here, just focused on different characters in this awful drama.

[onedoug]

This reliquary business gives me the creeps.

[Hieronymus]

It worked for ELisha

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 1/22/2016. Thanks marshmallow.

[ZULU]

True. Beware religious fanaticism. England got a two shot dose - Henry the VIII and that lunatic Cromwell.
The Ancient World suffered under religious vandalism by Christians and Muslims.