Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

FOB ST. PETER.
I have climbed up this apostolic hill from
which the vigour of the holy canons is poured forth
on all the churches of Christ. I have already ex-
plained by word of mouth and by writing, how
without committing any wrong, I was turned out
of the diocese which I had been governing for ten
years, and how not one bishop, but three bishops,
were put in my place." * Whatever happened, were
the closing words, Wilfrid would obey the apostolic
decrees.
Judgment was given in favour of Wilfrid. He
was to be restored to his bishopric, and the intruded
bishops were to be expelled, but, in favour of
Theodore's policy, Wilfrid was to choose coadjutors
among his own clergy so as not to govern so vast a
diocese alone. With this document the courageous
bishop returned in 680 to Northumbria. He was to
reap no personal benefit from it, for the anger of
kings is worse than death. In this case i| was
injustice. The papal mandate produced no effect
upon Egfrid and his queen, except to embitter
them the more. "Wilfrid was cast into prison,
and stayed there nine months, resisting every
manner of threat, and every specious argument
which was used in order to induce him to admit
that his sentence had been unfairly gained. At
the end of this time through the mediation of a
friendly abbess he was allowed his liberty on condition
that he would leave Northumbria for ever.
'$ Muines