In the course of its long history, this diocese has received the ministry of many loveable bishops — as well as a few unlovable ones. One of my least favourites was Bishop Kemp — John Kemp, I hasten to add, who was translated from Rochester in 1421, and moved on to London in less than a year, and probably never set foot in Sussex. But among the loveable bishops of this diocese none was more loveable as Richard of Wych, who died in 1253, and was canonised nine years later as St Richard of Chichester. I would like to take this opportunity to explain why the 750th anniversary of his life in 2003 is worth making something of.

“Humorous, warm-hearted, courteous and cheerful” was how his biographer and disciple described him. He was a man of humble farming stock who both defied and won the admiration of kings. He was a scholar, one of the earliest Chancellors of Oxford, but he preferred the cure of souls. He was a man of prayer, drawn to a life of contemplation, but faithfully discharged the duties of a bishop in trying times. He was a man of generosity to the poor, and his financial advisers begged him to stop giving money away before he bankrupted the diocese. He faced hardships with equanimity. He was not the king’s preferred candidate for the see of Chichester, and for two years after his election the king refused him access to all his episcopal estates — in other words, his home and livelihood. For two years Richard lived the life of a friar, travelling Sussex on foot, winning the hearts of those of his people who were as poor as himself. His was a life of great personal simplicity and self-discipline; but that discipline was hidden from others, who saw only the warm-hearted and hospitable exterior.

He was a man known the length of Europe, and remembered after his lifetime in France and Italy as well as in England. He reminds us of our own European roots and relationships. Dorothy Sayers wrote that the widespread reverence given to St Richard reflects a time “when the nations of Europe exchanged their spiritual treasures more generously than they do now” — words that still resonate today.

Richard was a great pastoral bishop. It was a time when English bishops fancied themselves as lords of the realm, much occupied with matters of state, frequently handing over the care of their dioceses to out-of-work Irish suffragan bishops. (This was one of the great abuses of the Middle Ages. They didn't go as far as making use of Australian suffragans. They hadn’t been discovered.) But Richard cared for his diocese himself, firm with his clergy, firm with his people, but only because he was first much more firm with himself.

Richard was a man of laughter. The people of Sussex made a play of his name: Ricardus, they said, stood for ridens, carus, dulcis — “laughing, dear, sweet”. Not bad to be remembered three-quarters of a millennium later for the fact that you laughed.

Above all, Richard was a person whose life was focussed upon Jesus. The famous prayer which carries Richard’s name does not all date from his time; but the opening words were his prayer as he lay dying: “Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which thou hast won for me, for all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for me”. And the rest of the prayer, with its well-known rhyming triplet about knowing Jesus more clearly and loving him more dearly and following him more nearly, though it comes from a later time, shows a profound insight into Richard’s character and spirituality. For Richard is not about Richard at all; Richard is about Jesus; and the people of Sussex claimed him as their Saint, not because they had seen Richard, but that in Richard they had seen Jesus, his Redeemer, his Friend and his Brother.

How should Richard be commemorated? I am sure that his life is worthy of grateful celebration; and the year 2003, the 750th anniversary of his death, is a good time to remember (not so much his death as) his life. Bishop John has asked the Cathedral Chapter with others to draw together some ideas for a suitable commemoration. Well, Richard died in Dover on 3 April, and was brought to Chichester for burial, so perhaps the commemoration should begin in Dover in April 2003, and travel from east to west through Sussex, finishing in Chichester in time for St Richard’s Day in June; with some act of celebration deanery by deanery on the way; perhaps taking in each of the churches and schools of Sussex that bears his name. Undoubtedly if we remember Richard at all we should do so in company with our brothers and sisters in other Churches: St Richard is not the property of this diocese. Some church members in the diocese will remember belonging to the Guild of St Richard, which they joined when they were confirmed: perhaps there should be a chance for them to renew their confirmation vows. There will be publications connected with Richard’s life; there are plans for a historical conference at University College, Chichester, in that year. The Cathedral will specially welcome all parishes and other pilgrimage groups who make a point of visiting Richard’s shrine in the course of that year.

I invite suggestions from synod members, and their parishes and deaneries, for ways in which these bare bones of ideas can be fleshed out. Please don’t think of this as another initiative, another programme, another wearisome agenda item. And don’t think of it as another expense; there is no added cost here for diocesan budget or parish budgets. Think of it as the invitation to a party, a celebration of Richard, the laughing bishop. (We might spend the year 2003 doing a bit more laughing together as a diocese.) Above all, think of this commemoration as Richard would surely have us think of it: as a time for drawing closer not to Richard but to Jesus: knowing him more clearly; loving him more dearly; and following him more nearly. We look forward to receiving the suggestions and ideas of the deaneries and parishes.

You can write to Canon Peter Atkinson with ideas, suggestions and comments, at The Residentiary, Canon Lane, Chichester PO19 1PX, or email him.

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