Returning stolen goods

Mad Priest drew my attention to the ABC's joining the voices that call for the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to Northumbria. The Journal Live reports:

THE leader of the Church of England yesterday backed the campaign to bring the Lindisfarne Gospels “home”.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said on a visit to Durham: “It would be wonderful if the Gospels were returned to their spiritual home, their historical home alongside St Cuthbert, who is buried in this cathedral.

“I appreciate there would be obstacles to overcome, and the conditions would have to be right, but I would love to see them here and I see no reason why the right conditions should not be found here to protect these manuscripts.”

His comments lend weight to a mounting campaign for the long-term loan of the Gospels to the North-East.

Incipit of Matthew's Gospel, Lindisfarne Gospels
Illumination by St Eadfrith of Lindisfarne

The Lindisfarne Gospels currently reside in the British Library in London. I saw them in 1997 while the British Library was still housed adjacent to the British Museum, just before moving to separate digs.

I have a rather strong personal devotion to St Cuthbert, having served as vicar of St Cuthbert's in Oakland for a decade. But it is more than that. I have sensed his presence and relied on his support and, sometimes, direction. So this is an emotional issue for me.

This is one time I can agree with the Grand Tufti. He may have only been making nice on the day that Durham University gave him an honorary doctorate but I join him in saying the Gospels should be with Cuthbert.

Tomb of Saint Cuthbert, Durham Cathedral

Lapinbizarre opines that they should go to Lindisfarne and that the Stonyhurst Gospel that was actually buried with Cuthbert should be relinquished by the Roman Catholics and returned too, in the course of which he implies that this may be great silliness. [See comments at Maddy's.]

Holy Cuthbert, pray for us.
Holy Eadfrith, pray for us.
All ye saints of the Holy Island, pray for us.
--the BB

You are God, we praise you...

You are the Lord, we acclaim you.

Durham Cathedral, Cloister

I remember walking through the cloister at Durham Cathedral, chanting the Te Deum with Mother Columba. We were carrying manuscripts from the Muniments room under the supervision of the Cathedral librarian. I did not realize it at the time, but I was carrying in my arms a Gospelbook from Lindisfarne with some of the same pigments as those used in the Lindisfarne Gospels.

It was artistically inferior by far and badly damaged. Still, it was a book of the Holy Gospels from that era used in the worship of God. I feel that I should remove my shoes even thinking about that moment, that book, that community from so many years ago.

Here's to Fr. Jake who writes:

...I need community. In my journey, while traveling to the outer edges of spirituality and back again, I stumbled across this Church. As flawed and frail as she is, this is where I have landed. This Church has become my spiritual home. Where else would I go?

The Church is a harlot. But she's all we've got.

Let us pray,

Gracious God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church....

--the BB