7
March 742. Chancellor
Chrodegang to King Pepin made Bishop of Metz on condition of wearing civil and
ecclesiastical hats, as it were. As all mortals do, he died nearly 24 years
later to the day, 6 March 766.
“Are you such a good worker that your boss can't
afford to lose you? Chrodegang was such a valuable assistant, that King Pepin
of the Franks would only consent to allow him to be consecrated Bishop of Metz
if he continued as his chancellor. Chrodegang agreed. He was installed as
bishop in March 742. His influence is felt to this day.
“A close relative of Pepin, Chrodegang served
Charles Martel as secretary and as chancellor of France. Although a layman
holding such high position, he dressed in simple clothes, wore a hair shirt,
fasted, prayed, and assisted the poor as if he had been a monk. He was still a
layman when named Bishop of Metz.
“As bishop, Chrodegang threw himself into the task
of saving the papacy. The Lombards were making life miserable for Pope Stephen
III who appealed to Pepin for help. Pepin sent Chrodegang as his emissary to
Rome. Chrodegang brought the pope over the Alps to confer with Pepin. Pepin
eventually rousted the Lombards, relieving the papacy and forging strong ties
between the Franks and the Roman Church.
“Chrodegang discovered that there were serious
discrepancies between the liturgy as practiced in Rome and among the Franks.
Consequently, he labored to reform the Frankish church. It is largely owing to
Chrodegang that the musical form known as Gregorian chant took form north of
the Alps. The eminent bishop also restored and founded churches, abbeys and
other religious institutions. Determined to raise the standard of learning
among the clergy, he banded the churchmen together into communities and adapted
the rules of Benedict of Nursia to their establishments.
“The pope appreciated Chrodegang's many efforts and
made him an archbishop. Not only was Chrodegang the highest civil servant in
the land, he was at the same time the highest religious authority. Fortunately
he was a mild man, who used his power for good. He directed religious
communities to assist the poor and educate youth.
“His good will did not spare him from the errors of
his times. For instance, he aggressively recruited saints' relics for his see.
He tied the church strongly to the state and this would eventually result in
serious problems for the church. Chrodegang died on this day, March 6, 766 and
was buried in the Abbey of Gorze which he had founded.”
Bibliography:
1. "Chrodegang." New
Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Grand Rapids: Baker Book
House, 1954.
2. Chrodegang , Saint, Bishop of
Metz. The Old English version of the enlarged rule of Chrodegang together with
the Latin original. An Old English version of the Capitula of Theodulf together
with the Latin original. An interlinear Old English rendering of the Epitome of
Benedict of Aniane. By Arthur S. Napier ... London, Pub. for the Early English
Text Society by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., ltd., 1916.
3. Mershman, Francis. "St.
Chrodegang." The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton, 1914.
4. Various encyclopedia and internet
articles.
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