After a bruising match-up between two heavyweights, I think everyone's ready to get back to a bit of Lent Madness "normalcy." Yesterday's match-up had emotions running high as Martin Luther King, Jr. took on Martin Luther. This was like Kentucky squaring off against Duke in the first round or Borg taking on McEnroe in a Wimbledon qualifier. It wasn't fair; it was mean; it was diabolical; it was Lent Madness.
In the end, Martin Luther King advanced in heavy voting 55% to 45% sending his namesake to the heavenly showers. We were happy to welcome many of our Lutheran brothers and sisters to Lent Madness and we encourage you to stick around! Who knows? Maybe we'll have an Oktoberfest-themed play-in round next year.
Today we have a 7th-century Celtic saint taking on the first woman ever ordained in the Anglican communion. The SEC is paying special attention to issues of voter irregularity in case supporters of "Hanging Chad" of Lichfield try any funny business. We expect heavy, if controversial, voting from Broward County, Florida.
In case you missed yesterday's edition of Monday Madness, Tim and Scott reveal some interesting news about the timing of the pope's retirement and announce a rare joint appearance coming up later this week.
Chad of Lichfield
Chad (or, in Celtic spelling Ceadda), was one of four brothers who lived lives in service of the Church. Chad was a native of Northumbria, and was a pupil of St. Aidan of Lindisfarne. Chad’s eldest brother, Cedd, was Abbot of a large monastery at Lastingham. Upon his brother’s death in 664, the abbacy passed to Chad. The Venerable Bede recounts that Chad was “a holy man, modest in his ways, learned in the Scriptures, and zealous in carrying out their teaching.”
Around the time he became Abbot of Lastingham, the Bishop of Northumbria died, setting in play a strange series of events in which Chad would ultimately become intricately involved. Oswiu, the King of Northumbria, chose Wilfrid, a Northumbrian noble, to become Bishop. However, due to an outbreak of the plague in England, Wilfrid found himself unable to find the three bishops necessary to ordain him; undeterred, he sailed for France to seek ordination.
The Venerable Bede notes that during Wilfrid’s absence, the King of Northumbria became impatient with the vacancy and decided to take further action. Impressed by Chad’s holiness, the King appointed him to take Wilfrid’s place as Bishop of Northumbria. Chad encountered the same problems in tracking down bishops as Wilfrid did; ultimately, he traveled to Wessex, where he was irregularly ordained bishop by two British and one Welsh bishop – none of whom were recognized by Rome. Bede recounts that Chad diligently set himself to the work of administering his see.
By the time Wilfrid returned from France, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Theodore of Tarsus, denied the legitimacy of Chad’s appointment, and announced his intention to install Wilfrid to Chad’s see. Theodore instructed Chad to step down from his position as Bishop of Northumbria. In an act of profound humility and obedience, Chad did so without hesitation or reserve, and he returned to his abbacy at Lastingham.
Later that same year, the King of Mercia requested a Bishop. Remembering Chad’s example of humility and holiness, Archbishop Theodore recalled Chad from his retirement to Lastingham, and had him re-ordained as a bishop. Chad’s humility was most acutely seen when he refused to use a horse to travel his diocese, preferring to follow the example of the apostles by walking. Archbishop Theodore ultimately ordered Chad to use a horse for his longer travels, and Bede recounts that the Archbishop once went so far as to lift Chad into the saddle on one occasion.
Chad ran his new diocese as diligently as he had administered his former one, establishing a Monastery at Barrow. Two and a half years after his re-ordination, Chad succumbed to the plague in 672. Bede recounts that Chad was “mindful to his end of all that the Lord did.”
Collect for Chad of Lichfield
Almighty God, for the peace of the Church your servant Chad relinquished cheerfully the honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
-- David Sibley
Florence Li Tim-Oi
Born on May 5, 1907, in Hong Kong, she was named Li Tim-Oi by her father, which means "much beloved daughter." She took the name Florence when she was baptized as a student, because she came to respect the example of Florence Nightingale so much. From the time she was born, Florence Li Tim-Oi was encouraged to believe and to live into her essential, God-given worth.
At that time, women were allowed to be ordained 'deaconesses,' and it was at one of these ordinations in 1931 that Florence first felt a call to the ordained ministry herself. She pursued a theological degree in Canton, and was ordained to the diaconate in 1941. Upon her ordination, the local bishop assigned her to a congregation all her own in Macau.
Macau was, at the time, a Portuguese colony that was filling up with Chinese refugees who were fleeing from the war in the Pacific. Florence had her hands full, but she was on it. She fed those who needed food, started a huge Sunday school for the kids, educational opportunities for the adults, and ran the congregation by herself. This was great news for the congregation, but soon presented an eccesiological conundrum for the bishop. Because of the war, no priest could get to Macau to celebrate the Eucharist.
So, after pondering this puzzle for a bit, and flying over to the US to talk this over with Reinhold Niebuhr, the local bishop, Ronald Hall, came to a conclusion, and in January, 1944, Florence became the first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Communion. She literally had to sneak through the Japanese army’s encampment to attend her own ordination.
She served as a priest in Macau until the war ended in 1946, and word got around in the Communion about what had happened. Consternation ensued. To keep the peace in Dodge/Lambeth, Florence relinquished her license to officiate, but she never, ever renounced her vows.
For the next thirty years, she lived as a Christian priest in secret, living the gospel in silent deeds. She went to help a parish near the Vietnam border, as a lay minister. She started a large maternity home trying to ensure the survival of infant girls. When the Communist takeover hit China, she was under constant suspicion by the authorities. At one point, the Red Guards made her cut up her own vestments with scissors. She was removed from her parish and made to work on a chicken farm. She was sent to re-education camps and brainwashed.
Finally, she resumed ordained parish ministry in 1981 when she moved to Toronto. She died in 1992, but not before she saw women accepted as priests in other corners of the communion.
Collect for Florence Li Tim-Oi
Gracious God, we thank you for calling Florence Li Tim-Oi, much beloved daughter, to be the first woman to exercise the office of priest in our Communion: by the grace of your Spirit, inspire us to follow her example, serving your people with patience and happiness all our days, and witnessing in every circumstance to our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Vote!
[poll id="50"]
144 comments on “Chad of Lichfield vs. Florence Li-Tim Oi”
Both showed humility, but Li Tim-Oi continued to answer her calling to ministry whether it was recognized or not. Very admirable. Chad, after all, was still a leader in the church even after he had to give up the bishopric.
I was happy to learn about both!
Although I am married to a Chad, I had to go with Florence-- what perseverance as a Chinese woman in the face of a dominant patriarchal social structure, a horrible war and its aftermath.
Had to go with Florence. She ministered to her people during the Second World War . Not enough is made of the part of her ministry.
Florence's story, with which I wasn't familiar (and thanks be to God with an assist to the Supremes for the many times I'm able to say that during Lent Madness), is truly moving, touching, inspiring, and plain holy. But so is Chad's, under the dust of 940 years. To walk where he walked (and, it seems, rode under duress) is to gain a sense of how much he did to build and shape the Church in England, and how much the Church OF England, and through it the churches of the Anglican Communion including our own, owe to his witness. His diocese of Mercia was large, unstable and, as I understand it, far from fully Christian: the Venerable Bede is said to have written in a letter that "Mercia came to the faith, and Essex was recovered for it," by Chad and his brother Cedd. What comes to our minds when we envisage a bishop making the rounds of a diocese is far from the reality of Chad's ministry: the work was largely if not primarily missionary and by its nature dangerous.
Supporters of both Florence and Chad may be interested in viewing the reassuringly solid Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Chad in Lichfield, the religious heart of Mercia, at http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Lichfield+Cathedral&FORM=RESTAB .
A map of 7th-century Mercia is at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2f/Mercia_in_time_of_Chad.jpg .
This may be my easiest vote except my votes against some of the possibly-fictional saints. When I became a Christian one of the main reasons I chose the Episcopal Church was its full inclusion of women at all levels of ministry, a value instilled in my by my non-religious mother. I was baptized and confirmed by women, and currently attend the church that ordained Jackie Means. Florence Li Tim-Oi was one of those who paved the way.
Given his history of renouncing privilege and serving with humility, Chad, I am sure, understands.
An intriguing pairing. Chad is another important white guy. Florence Li Tim-Oi was a gentle groundbreaker, whose work was compelled by a need and mission to serve. She gets my vote. I like Chad and know what he did was important. But Florence helped open doors for women. A small step for Florence, perhaps, but a big step for humankind.
Given the current results, should we call the match now so we don't leave Chad hanging?
Well, thank heavens that the Rt. Rev. Mr. Hall did not succumb to the idea of a "deacon's Mass." I'd give him a golden halo too!
Really enjoyed learning about Chad. Both he and Flo are awesome examples of remaining humble while following Christ's calling. But I had to go with Flo - gotta love a woman named "much beloved daughter"
I'm with Denese, highly insulted that some think Broward might make the news (again) for voting irregularities. I also come to South Florida by way of Chicago now THERE is a city that knows a thing or two about voting irregularities
I must got with the "much beloved daughter" in honor of the Korean sister my mother and stepfather adopted 25 years ago ... I do, however, admire anyone who so gently steps aside when asked as Chad did. But my life is tangled in a different story and so Florence gets my vote!
I did not know either of these saints. Now I know a bit about both. It was an easy vote for Flo today because of my RN experience and because I have been Sr. Warden of a vacant parish and have a clue about running a church with no clergy. GO FLO!
I knew little of Chad and nothing about Florence. Thanks to Lent madness, now I know more, and I'm the better for it. Push come to shove, I voted for Florence due to faithfulness and her bravery.
Even though I have to admire Chad as maybe the first truly GREEN saint (you know that horses put a lot of CO2 out there), with the death of my father last week, I am definitely feeling the call of the "much beloved daughter". Thanks for fleshing out the cloud of witnesses with these two wonderful his/her stories.
Today we have two people who put God and the church above themselves! What wonderful examples and role models. It really is a "toss up" for me. I come down on the side of Florence because of her gender.
Florence+ was a "first" - and under extrordinary circumstances. My children were baptized by a woman priest, and Episcopalians honor God's 51% of humanity in having selected a woman as Presiding Bishop at a time where many parts of the Anglican Communion still wish to keep women "covering their hair". My vote goes to Rev. Florence!
Flo's story is too powerful. But I admire Chad.
I went with Chad. At a time when status within the Church meant one possessed considerable power, he remained humble. Chad could have held his ground and started a small war.
Another very difficult choice! Although I did vote for Florence (earlier this morning before she was so far ahead) I think Chad set a wonderful example and would be sorry to see him lose by a lopsided margin. My problem is often deciding which voting crieria are most important. How much that saint's life has affected me? That would give Luke a huge advantage. How well authenticated their story is? How much good they did for their contemporaries? Or how important an example they set for us today? Choices, choices!
Two more awesome examples to follow, but I have to also go with the Flo today.
I know I am going to start a controversy however, I voted for Chad as I have not decided if women should be priests. Yes that is correct!! I cannot deny that Sister Florence was a exception. However, I have seen few exceptions personally.
I grown up in the so called feminist era and I found/find most if it a crock. I do not mind being in the losing camp today.
oh Nancy, I wish you could have experienced the ministries of four especially gifted females priests I've been blessed to know! You would have seen, and had "certainty, and no doubt"* that they had answered God's call to be who they are where they were!
*m'man TS Eliot's turn of phrase
Chad is a good guy but Florence's story is special
Last week I enjoyed a screening of 'Pink Smoke Over The Vatican' the story of the cause of women's ordination in the RC church, and met Fr. Roy Bourgeois who was removed from priestly ministry for his support of the movement. I was the only female priest in a collar present, kinda wish more of my Episcopal colleagues were in attendance, but then again the event was competing with the road company of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" which was playing across the street. I'm awed by the sense of call that Florence and Fr. Roy felt, one stepping aside from the practice of priesthood; one removed. Both responded to conscience and being true to their calls and their visions of the larger picture of Christian responsibility in a broken and unjust society. Florence gets my vote today.
Thank you for mentioning this film. I looked Fr. Bourgeois up on Wikipedia because one of the pastors of my grandparents' parish in Massachusetts was also a Father Bourgeois. I was wondering if he could be the same priest. He is not, but what an inspiring story of witness. Thank you for helping me learn about another contemporary saint, in the Anglican sense.
St. Chad, for Catholic order.
In response to suggestion in today's Comments ...how about a Lent Madness cross stitch pattern for the LM Store?
Another Florence, I knew before I ever opened the website in which direction my vote would be cast. (I was named for my mother, who was named for her aunt, who was named for Florence Nightingale too.) Besides, Mother Li-Tim-Oi was present (and much honored) at the graduation of my youngest daughter from the General Seminary, so I was already an admirer. Glad to know more of the honorable and humble Chad too, though. All blessings, Flo!
Humility seems to be quite the theme with both biographies today. It's definitely my favorite virtue, meaning the one in which I am most deficient.
Looks like Seabury won't be the only blow out if trends continue. I voted for Florence since my church has a wonderful female rector, who could not have served without Florence Li Tim-Oi's pioneering effort.
I was all set to vote for Florence as the first Anglican woman to become a priest (having wanted to be one when I was 10 years old back in the late 50's), but Chad's humility won me over (in addition to his being so very far behind).
Also, I've voted for a few modern saints over the ancient ones, and this will balance things out a bit more. ("Madness" not "Sanity)
But here's a big shout-out for Mother Florence!
I was glad to find out more about the first Anglican woman priest. Florence definitely has my vote. I would have voted for her anyway since she was located in Macau where my son was a missionary for two years. Macau really needs more like Florence since the casino industry has taken over the island.