St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Part 12

[358] This sentence seems to imply that Malachy brought with him the Bangor community, or the greater part of it, and made a new home for it in Iveragh. If so the inference is obvious that up to 1127 Malachy resided at Bangor, and was still abbot.

[359] See -- 9, 10.

[360] Acts ix. 28 (inexact quotation).

[361] Gen. x.x.x. 27.

[362] Luke i. 8.

[363] Cp. Luke xii. 37; xxii. 27.

[364] Cp. 1 Cor. xv. 10; 2 Cor. xi. 23.

CHAPTER IV.

_Being made Archbishop of Armagh, he suffers many troubles. Peace being made, from being Archbishop of Armagh he becomes Bishop of Down._

[Sidenote: 1129]

19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined by the authority of St. Patrick.[370] For from reverence and honour for him, as the apostle of that nation, who had converted the whole country to the faith, that see where he presided in life and rests in death[371]

has been held in so great veneration by all from the beginning, that not merely bishops and priests, and those who are of the clergy, but also all kings and princes are subject to the metropolitan[372] in all obedience, and he himself alone presides over all. But a very evil custom had developed, by the devilish ambition of certain powerful persons, that the holy see[373] should be held by hereditary succession.

For they suffered none to be bishops but those who were of their own tribe and family. And for no short time had the execrable succession lasted, for fifteen generations (as I may call them)[374] had already pa.s.sed in this wickedness. And to such a point had _an evil and adulterous[375] generation_[376] established for itself this distorted right, rather this unrighteousness worthy of punishment by any sort of death, that although at times clerics failed of that blood, yet bishops never. In a word there had been already eight before Cellach, married men, and without orders, albeit men of letters.[377] Hence, throughout the whole of Ireland, all that subversion of ecclesiastical discipline, that weakening of censure, that abandonment of religion of which we have spoken already; hence everywhere that subst.i.tution of raging barbarism for Christian meekness--yea, a sort of paganism brought in under the name of Christianity. For--a thing unheard of from the very beginning of the Christian faith--bishops were transferred and multiplied, without order or reason, at the will of the metropolitan, so that one bishopric was not content with one bishop, but nearly every single church had its bishop.[378] No wonder; for how could the members of so diseased a head be sound?

[Sidenote: 1132]

20. Cellach, greatly grieving for these and other like evils of his people--for he was a good and devout man--took all care to have Malachy as his successor, because he believed that by him this evilly rooted succession might be torn up,[379] since he was dear to all, and one whom all were zealous to imitate, _and the Lord was with him_.[380] Nor was he deceived of his hope; for when he died Malachy was put into occupation in his room. But not soon nor easily. For behold there is one of the evil seed to seize the place--Murtough by name.[381] For five years, relying on the secular power,[382] this man fastened himself upon the church, not a bishop but a tyrant. For the wishes of the devout had rather supported the claim of Malachy. At last they urged him to undertake the burden according to the ordinance of Cellach. But he, who shunned every high office as nothing else than his downfall,[383]

thought that he had found good ground of excuse, because at that time it was impossible that he should have a peaceful entry. All were eager for so holy a work and pressed him; especially the two bishops, Malchus[384]

and Gilbert,[385] of whom the former was the elder[386] of Lismore mentioned above, the second he who is said to have been the first to exercise the office of legate of the Apostolic See throughout the whole of Ireland. These, when three years had now pa.s.sed in this presumption of Murtough and dissimulation of Malachy,[387] tolerating no longer the adultery of the church and the dishonour of Christ, called together the bishops and princes of the land,[388] and came, in one spirit, to Malachy, prepared to use force. But he refused at first; pleading the difficulty of the project, the numbers, strength and ambition of that n.o.ble stock, urging that it was a great venture for him, a poor man and of no account, to oppose himself to men so many, so great, of such sort, so deeply rooted, who now for well-nigh two hundred years had _held_ as _by hereditary right the sanctuary of G.o.d_,[389] and now also had taken possession of it before him; that they could not be rooted out, not even at the cost of human life; that it was not to his advantage that _man's blood should be shed_[390] on his account; and lastly, that he was joined to another spouse[391] whom _it was_ not _lawful for him to put away_.[392]

21. (14). But when they persisted eagerly in the contrary opinion, and cried out that the _word had come forth from the Lord_,[393] and moreover ordered him with all authority to undertake the burden, and threatened him with an anathema, he said, "You are leading me to death, but I obey in the hope of martyrdom; yet on this condition, that if, as you expect, the enterprise has good success, and G.o.d frees his _heritage_ from _those that are destroying_ it,[394] all being then at length completed, and the church[395] at peace, it may be lawful for me to return to my former spouse and friend, poverty,[396] from which I am carried off, and to put in my place there another, if then one is found fit for it." Note, reader, the courage of the man and the purity of his purpose who, for Christ's name, neither sought honour nor dreaded death.

What could be purer or what braver than this purpose, that after exposing himself to peril and labour he should yield to another the fruit--peace and security itself in the place of authority? And this he does, retaining for himself according to agreement a free return to poverty when peace and freedom are restored to the church. When they gave the pledge, at length he a.s.sented to their will; or rather to the will of G.o.d, who, he remembered, had long foreshown to him this occurrence, at the fulfilment of which he was now grieved. For indeed when Cellach was already ailing there appeared to Malachy--far away and ignorant [of Cellach's condition]--a woman of great stature and reverend mien. When he inquired who she was, the answer was given that she was the wife of Cellach.[397] And she gave him a pastoral staff which she held in her hand, and then disappeared. A few days later, Cellach, when he was dying, sent his staff to Malachy, indicating that he should succeed him: and when he saw it he recognized that it was the same which he had seen [in vision]. It was the remembrance of this vision which specially put Malachy in fear, lest if he still refused he might seem to _resist_ the Divine _will_, which he had ignored long enough.[398] But he did not enter the city as long as that intruder lived, lest by such act it should happen that any one of those should die to whom he came rather to minister life. Thus for two years (for so long the other survived), living outside the town, he strenuously performed the episcopal office throughout the whole province.[399]

[Sidenote: 1134, Sept. 17]

22. (15). When that person, then, had been removed by sudden death,[400]

again one Niall [_Nigellus_] (in truth _nigerrimus_, very black)[401]

quickly took possession of the see. And in appointing him as his successor, Murtough, while he was still alive, _made provision for his life_:[402] he was going forth to be d.a.m.ned, but in the person of Niall he would go on adding to the works of d.a.m.nation.[403] For he also was of the d.a.m.ned race, a relative of Murtough.[404] But the king[405] and the bishops and faithful of the land nevertheless came together that they might bring in Malachy. And lo, there was an _a.s.sembly of the wicked_[406] to oppose them.[407] A certain man of the sons of Belial, ready for _mischief, mighty in iniquity_,[408] who _knew the place_ where they had decided _to come together_,[409] gathered many with him and secretly seized a neighbouring high hill opposite to it, intending, when they were engaged with other things, suddenly to rush upon them unawares and _murder the innocent_.[410] For they had agreed to butcher the king also with the bishop, that there might be none to _avenge the righteous blood_.[411] The plan became known to Malachy, and he entered the church, which was close by, and lifted up his hands in prayer to the Lord. Lo, there came _clouds and darkness_,[412] yea also _dark waters and thick clouds of the skies[413] changed the day into night_,[414] _lightnings and thunderings_[415] and _an horrible spirit of tempests_[416] presaged the last day, _and all_ the elements _threatened_ speedy _death_.[417]

23. But that you may know, reader, that it was the prayer of Malachy that roused the elements, the tempest fell upon those _who sought his life_,[418] the _dark whirlwind_[419] enveloped only those who had made ready _the works of darkness_.[420] Finally, he who was the leader of so great wickedness was struck by a thunderbolt and perished with three others, companions in death as they had been partners in crime; and the next day their bodies were found half-burnt and putrid, clinging to the branches of trees, each where the wind[421] _had lifted him up and cast him down_.[422] Three others also were found half dead; the rest were all scattered in every direction. But, as for those who were with Malachy, though they were close to the place, the storm _touched them not at all, neither troubled them_.[423] In that fact we find fresh proof of the truth of that saying, _The prayer of the righteous pierceth the heavens._[424] It is also a new example of the ancient miracle, by which in former times, when all Egypt was in darkness, Israel alone remained in light, as the Scripture says, _Wheresoever Israel was there was light._[425] In this connexion occurs to me also what holy Elijah did, at one time bringing clouds and rain from the ends of the earth,[426] at another, calling down fire from heaven on the revilers.[427] And now in like manner _G.o.d is glorified in_[428] His servant Malachy.

24. (16). In the thirty-eighth year of his age,[429] the usurper having been driven out, the poor man, Malachy, entered Armagh, pontiff and metropolitan of all Ireland. But when the king and the others who had brought him in returned home,[430] he remained _in the hand of G.o.d_;[431] and there remained for him _without fightings, within fears_.[432] For, lo, the viperous brood, raging and crying out that it was disinherited, aroused itself in full strength, within and without, _against the Lord and against His Anointed_.[433] Moreover, Niall, seeing that flight was inevitable,[434] took with him certain insignia of that see, to wit, the copy of the Gospels, which had belonged to blessed Patrick,[435] and the staff covered with gold and adorned with most costly gems, which they call "the staff of Jesus," because the Lord himself (as report affirms) held it in His hands and fashioned it;[436]

which are deemed of the highest honour and sanct.i.ty in that nation. They are, in fact, very well known and celebrated among the tribes, and so revered by all, that he who is once seen to have them is held by the _foolish and unwise people_[437] to be their bishop. That man--a vagabond[438] and another _Satan_--_went to and fro in the land and walked up and down in it_,[439] bearing round the holy insignia; and, displaying them everywhere, he was for their sake everywhere received, by them winning the minds of all to himself, and withdrawing as many as he could from Malachy. These things did he.

25. But there was a certain prince, of the more powerful of the unrighteous race,[440] whom the king before he left the city, had compelled to swear that he would maintain peace with the bishop, taking from him, moreover, many hostages. Notwithstanding this, when the king left he entered the city, and took _counsel_ with his kinsmen and friends _how they might take_ the holy man _by subtlety and kill him; but they feared the people_;[441] and having conspired to slay Malachy[442] they fixed a place and day, and a traitor _gave them a sign_.[443] On that very day, when the prelate was now celebrating the solemnity of Vespers in the church with the whole of the clergy and a mult.i.tude of the people, that worthless man sent him a message in _words of peace with subtlety_,[444] asking him that he would deign to come down to him, so that he might make peace. The bystanders answered that he should rather come to the bishop, and that the church was a more suitable place for establishing peace; for they foresaw guile. The messengers replied that this was not safe for the prince; that he feared for his head, and that he did not trust himself to the crowds who, some days before, had nearly killed him for the bishop's sake. As they were contending in this way, these saying that he should go, those that he should not go, the bishop, desiring peace and not afraid to die, said, "Brethren, let me imitate my Master.[445] I am a Christian to no purpose if I do not _follow_ Christ.[446] Perhaps by humility I shall bend the tyrant; if not, yet I shall conquer by rendering, a shepherd to a sheep, a priest to a layman, that duty which he owed to me. You also, as far as in me lies, I shall edify not a little by such an example. For what if I should chance to be killed? _I refuse not to die_,[447] in order that from me you may have an example of life. It behoves a bishop, as the prince of bishops says, not _to be lord over the clergy, but to become an example to the flock_[448]--no other example[449] truly than that which we have received from Him _who humbled himself and became obedient unto death_.[450] Who will give me [the opportunity] to leave this [example] to [my] sons, sealed with my blood? Try, at any rate, whether your priest has worthily learnt from Christ not to fear death for Christ." And he arose and went his way, all weeping, and praying that he would not so greatly desire to die for Christ that he should leave desolate so great a flock of Christ.

26. (17). But as for him, _setting his whole hope_ in the Lord,[451] he went with all speed accompanied only by three disciples who were _ready to die with him_.[452] _When he crossed the threshold_[453] of the house and suddenly came into the midst of the armed men--himself protected by the _shield of faith_[454]--the _countenances_ of them all _fell_,[455]

for _dread fell upon them_,[456] so that the bishop could say, _Mine enemies which trouble me became weak and fell._[457] This _word is true_.[458] You might see the victim standing, the slaughterers surrounding him on all sides, with weapons in their hands; and there was none to sacrifice him. You might suppose their arms were benumbed; for there was none to stretch out a hand. For even that one also, who seemed to be the head of the evil, rose up, not to a.s.sail him but to show him reverence. Where is the sign, O man, which you had given for the death of the pontiff? This is a sign rather of honour than death; this postpones, it does not hasten death. Wonderful result! They offer peace who had prepared slaughter. He cannot refuse it who had sought it at the risk of life. Therefore peace was made--a peace so firm that from that day the priest found his foe not merely appeased, but obedient, devoted.[459] When they heard this, all the faithful rejoiced, not only because _the innocent blood was saved in that day_,[460] but because by the merits of Malachy the souls of many wrongdoers escaped to salvation.

And fear took hold on all that were round about when they heard how G.o.d had laid low, with sudden power, those two of His enemies who seemed most ferocious and powerful _in their generation_:[461] I refer to him with whom we are now concerned, and the other of whom I spoke above.[462] For in a wonderful manner He _took them_ both--one terribly punished in the body,[463] the other mercifully changed in heart[464]--_in the devices that they had imagined_.[465]

[Sidenote: 1135, July(?)]

27. These matters so accomplished, the bishop now began to dispose and order in the city all things pertaining to his ministry with entire freedom, but not without constant risk of his life. For though there was no one now who would harm him openly, yet the bishop had no place that was safe from plotters, and no time when he could be at ease; and armed men were appointed to guard him day and night, though he rather _trusted in the Lord_.[466] But his purpose was to take action against the schismatic already mentioned, forasmuch as he was seducing many by means of the insignia which he carried about, persuading all that he ought to be bishop, and so stirring up the congregations[467] against Malachy and the unity of the church.[468] And thus he did; and without difficulty in a short time he so _hedged up_ all _his ways[469] through the grace given unto him by the Lord_,[470] and which he had toward all, that that evil one was compelled to surrender, to return the insignia,[471] and henceforth to be quiet in _all subjection_.[472] Thus Malachy, albeit through many perils and labours, prospered day by day and was strengthened, _abounding_ more and more _in hope and the power of the Holy Ghost_.[473]

28. (18). And G.o.d swept away, not only those who did evil to Malachy, but also those who disparaged him. A certain man, for example, who was in favour with the princes and magnates, and even with the king himself,[474] because he was a flatterer and garrulous and _mighty in tongue_,[475] befriended Malachy's opponents in all things, and impudently maintained their contention. On the other hand, when the saint was present, he _withstood him to the face_,[476] and when he was absent he disparaged him. Moreover he accosted him rudely everywhere, and especially when he knew that he was engaged in the more frequented a.s.semblies. But he was soon visited with a suitable reward of his impudent tongue. The evil-speaking tongue swelled, and _became putrid and worms swarmed_ from it[477] and filled the whole blasphemous mouth.

He vomited them forth incessantly for well-nigh seven days, and at length with them spued out his wretched soul.

29. Once when Malachy was speaking before the people and exhorting them, a certain unhappy woman dared to interrupt his discourse with evil cries, showing no respect to the priest _and the Spirit which spake_.[478] Now she was of the impious race; and having _breath in her nostrils_[479] she vomited out blasphemies and insults against the saint, saying that he was a hypocrite, and an invader of the inheritance of another, and even reproaching him for his baldness. But he, modest and gentle as he was, _answered_ her _nothing_;[480] but the Lord answered for him. The woman became insane by the judgement of the Lord, and crying out many times that she was being suffocated by Malachy, at length by a horrible death she expiated the sin of blasphemy. So this wretched woman, taking up against Malachy the reproach that had been made against Elisha,[481] found to her cost that he was indeed another Elisha.

30. Further, because on account of a certain pestilence which arose in the city, he had solemnly led out a mult.i.tude of the clergy and people with the memorial of the saints,[482] neither is this to be pa.s.sed over, that when Malachy prayed the pestilence immediately ceased.

Thenceforward there was none to murmur against him, for those who were of the _seed of Canaan[483] said, Let us flee from the face of_ Malachy, _for the Lord fighteth for him_.[484] But it was too late, for the wrath of the Lord, coming everywhere upon them, pursued them _even unto destruction_.[485] How, in a few days, _is their memorial perished with resounding noise;[486] how are they brought into desolation, they are consumed in a moment, they are punished for their iniquity_.[487] A great miracle to-day is the extinction of that generation, so quickly wrought, especially for those who knew their pride and power.[488] And _many other signs truly_[489] were there by which G.o.d glorified His name and strengthened His servant amidst labours and dangers. Who can worthily recount them? Yet we do not omit them all, though we have not ability to describe all. But that the sequence of the narrative may not be interrupted we reserve to the end some that we propose to mention.

[Sidenote: 1137]

31. (19). So then Malachy, when within three years[490] _a reward was rendered to the proud_[491] and liberty restored to the church, barbarism driven out and the customs of the Christian religion everywhere inst.i.tuted anew, seeing that all things were at peace, began to think also of his own peace. And mindful of his design he appointed in his own place Gelasius,[492] a good man, and worthy of so great an honour, the clergy and people tacitly a.s.senting, or rather supporting him because of the agreement.[493] For apart from that it seemed altogether cruel. And when he had been consecrated and earnestly commended to the kings and princes, Malachy himself, renowned for miracles and triumphs, returned to his parish;[494] but not to Connor.

Hear the cause, which is worth relating. It is said that that diocese in ancient times had two episcopal sees, and that there were two bishoprics; an arrangement which seemed to Malachy preferable to the existing one. Hence those bishoprics which ambition had welded into one,[495] Malachy divided again into two, yielding one part to another bishop and retaining the other for himself. And for this reason he did not come to Connor, because he had already ordained a bishop in it;[496]

but he betook himself to Down, separating the parishes _as in the days of old_.[497] O pure heart! O dove-like eye![498] He handed over to the new bishop the place which seemed better organized, which was held to be more important, the place in which he himself had sat. Where are they that fight about boundaries, carrying on perpetual hostilities against one another for a single village? I know not if there is any cla.s.s of men whom that ancient prophecy touches more than those: _They have ripped up the women with child of Gilead that they might enlarge their border._[499] But this at another place.[500]

32. When Malachy was made bishop of Down, immediately according to his custom he was at pains to take to himself from his sons, for his comfort, a convent of regular clerics.[501] And lo, again he girds himself, as though a new recruit of Christ, for the spiritual conflict; again he puts on the _weapons_ that are _mighty through G.o.d_,[502] the humility of holy poverty, the rigour of monastic discipline, the quietness of contemplation, continuance in prayer. But all these things for a long time he was able to maintain rather in will than in deed. For all men came to him; not only obscure persons, but also n.o.bles and magnates, hastened to commit themselves to his wisdom and holiness for instruction and correction. And he himself meanwhile went about; _he went out to sow his seed_,[503] disposing and decreeing with all authority concerning ecclesiastical affairs, like one of the Apostles.

And none _said unto him, By what authority doest thou these things_?[504] inasmuch as all _saw the miracles_ and wonders _which_ he did,[505] and because _where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty_.[506]

FOOTNOTES:

[365] That is, while Malachy was in Iveragh.

[366] Cellach is here mentioned by name for the first time. See p. 14, n. 2.

[367] Harris (_Ware's Works_, ii., "Writers," p. 69) identifies this testament with the _Testamentum ad ecclesias_, a tract attributed to Cellach, which is apparently no longer extant. But it may be doubted whether the testament mentioned in the text was committed to writing.

[368] The designation by a coarb of his successor seems to have been unusual. But in 1124 Malachy had in this way been appointed abbot of Bangor (- 12); and in 1134 Murtough designated Niall as his successor in the abbacy of Armagh (- 22).

[369] Conor O'Brien, king of Th.o.m.ond, and Cormac Mac Carthy, king of Desmond. See - 9, and p. 21, notes 1-3. Murtough O'Brien, king of Munster, fell into ill-health in 1114, and his brother Dermot attempted, evidently with some success, to seize the throne. Dermot died in 1118 and Murtough early in the following year. Turlough O'Conor, the powerful king of Connaught, promptly invaded Munster, and divided it into two va.s.sal kingdoms, Th.o.m.ond and Desmond. The former he gave to the sons of Dermot, of whom Conor was one, the latter to Teague Mac Carthy. Apparently Conor O'Brien soon established himself as sole king of Th.o.m.ond, and Cormac Mac Carthy became king of Desmond on the death of his father, Teague, in 1124. We have seen that both of them were deposed in 1127, and quickly restored (- 9 f.: see p. 21, n.

3; p. 23, n. 2). From that time Conor and Cormac were allies. Cormac married Conor's niece (_A.T._ 1138). Together in 1133 they invaded Connaught (_A.F.M._), and the next year they made another successful expedition through Connaught into Ulster (then ruled by Conor O'Loughlin; see p. 40, n. 2), in the course of which they burned the church of Rathluraigh, now Maghera, co. Derry, near the border of the diocese of Armagh (_D.A.I._). This expedition must be referred to hereafter (p. 51, n. 2). But Conor evidently aspired to be _ardri_ of Ireland, and he found it desirable to remove a possible rival.

Accordingly Cormac was murdered by his father-in-law, Conor's brother, in 1138, and Conor became king of all Munster. He was now the most powerful prince in Ireland; but he died, after a lingering illness (Tundale, p. 42), in 1142, without attaining his ambition.

It is clear from the present pa.s.sage that Conor O'Brien followed in the footsteps of his predecessors in the same family as a supporter of the new movement in the Irish Church. Cormac, as we know, was the friend and disciple of Malachy: his devotion to the Church is witnessed to by the beautiful edifice built by him at Cashel, still known as "Cormac's Chapel," which was consecrated in 1134; and by his t.i.tle of "Bishop-King," which has been the subject of so much discussion. See Petrie, pp. 283-307; and for the crozier found in Cormac's supposed tomb, G. Coffey, _Guide to the Celtic Antiquities of the Christian Period in the National Museum, Dublin_, p. 64. But it must be added that the contemporary Vision of Tundale, which apparently emanated from Cormac's kingdom of Desmond, while bearing emphatic testimony to his generosity to "Christ's poor and pilgrims,"

charges him with heinous crimes strangely inconsistent with St.

Bernard's sketch of his character (Tundale, p. 44 f.).

[370] It seems that the successor (coarb) of the founder of a church was supposed to speak with his authority. Cp. the Epistle of c.u.mmian in Ussher, p. 442.

[371] Cp. - 65. It is generally believed that St. Patrick was buried at Downpatrick (see Reeves, p. 223 ff.); but Olden contended (not convincingly) that the statement made here by St. Bernard is correct (_R.I.A._ xviii, 655 ff.), while Bury (_Life of St. Patrick_, p. 211) has "little hesitation in deciding that the obscure grave was at Saul."

[372] This word cannot have been in St. Bernard's doc.u.ment, for it is unknown in early Irish ecclesiastical terminology, and in Irish hierarchical arrangements it would have no meaning. The context proves that the persons to whom it is here applied are the abbots of Armagh, of whom Cellach was one. It probably represents a Latin rendering of "coarb (successor) of Patrick," a t.i.tle commonly given to the abbots of this period. The doc.u.ment portrayed the coarbs as rulers of the church of Armagh. St. Bernard would naturally infer that they were bishops. When he found that their authority extended beyond Armagh he would no less naturally style them archbishops or metropolitans. Cp.