Tuesday, November 06, 2007

A Man For All Seasons

So I watched this movie about St. Thomas More and what he went through with King Henry VIII...wow, that guy was a genius, and a holy genius at that, which is just so much cooler! ;-) (I also have to add, they did a really good job matching that portrait, the actor looked just like him!)

With election day having been today, and the presidential elections being next year, I couldn't help but notice this portion of the dialogue in the movie, a discussion between Cardinal Wolsey and St. Thomas as Wolsey is trying to gain his support in securing a divorce for Henry VIII. When St. Thomas declines to aid him in such an endeavor, the following exchange takes place:

Cardinal Wolsey: Explain how you as a counselor of England can obstruct these measures, for the sake of your own private conscience.

St. Thomas More: Well, I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.
(pause)
And...we shall have my prayers to fall back on.

Cardinal Wolsey: Hhmmm, you'd like that wouldn't you, to govern a country with prayers.

St. Thomas More: Yes, I should.

Talk about a modern day patron saint for those seeking, and those already in political office. We need people like St. Thomas with a moral compass and a spine, more than ever.

St. Thomas More, pray for us!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Truly one of our greatest saints! Guilani should heed such sentiment. It's going to be a tough election for faithful Catholics, to be sure.

Stephanie said...

Yes it is...I'm kind of dreading it. :-/