Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Thursday 16 April 2020

Pope Benedict XVI at 93

This seems to be the season for monarch’s birthdays, with the King of the Belgians turning 60 yesterday, the Queen of Denmark being 80 today and next week will see the 94th birthday of the Queen here, as well as today being the 93rd birthday of Pope Benedict XVI. 

As with the others any public or even private celebrations are curtailed by the restrictions consequent upon the pandemic and so Zenit in its feature about Pope Benedict looks back to its report on his 90th birthday and which can be seen here

In all four cases may I humbly offer my good wishes to and prayers for these four monarchs and servants of their people.

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