TOMMASO, BISHOP of HEREFORD, saint. — In the world Tommaso di Cantilupe, born ca. 1218, died near Montefiascone on 25 August 1282.
He was a diligent scholar; having obtained the degree of Magister artium at Paris, he devoted himself to the study of civil law at Orleans, then to that of the Decretals, and thereafter to theology. His learning earned him the office of chancellor of the University of Oxford (1262), which he exercised scrupulously, imposing respect for discipline upon the students. The kings of England, Enrico III and Edoardo I, entrusted him with the office of chancellor and councillor. He aroused the admiration of his contemporaries by his probity, which led him to refuse the gifts offered to him by those seeking royal favours. T. treated his body harshly, wearing a hair shirt, fasting, and spending the nights in prayer. Some witnesses relate that, during the celebration of Mass, he shed abundant tears.
Elected bishop of Hereford in June 1275, he was consecrated on 8 September. He held a provincial synod at Reading in 1279; he came into conflict with his metropolitan, Giov. Pecham, who wished to usurp part of the jurisdiction of his suffragans. The archbishop of Canterbury, unable to overcome T.’s resistance, excommunicated him; but T. appealed to Rome and went to Pope Martino IV to defend his cause. The Pope and the cardinals received him warmly. On the return journey to his homeland, T. fell ill near Montefiascone and died there.
His eminent virtues moved the king of England and the episcopate to request his canonization; but the case was embarrassing. An investigative commission established that T. had confessed to a papal penitentiary, who had given him absolution, subsequently ratified by the Holy See. The canonization took place on 17 April 1320. Feast day: 3 October.