St. Richard of Chichester

Richard, also known as Richard de Wyche, studied at Oxford, Paris, and Bologna and served as a church administrator before becoming bishop of Chichester. His election met opposition from Henry III, who withheld the revenues of the diocese even after Pope Innocent IV consecrated him in 1245.

Richard's relationship with Edmund of Canterbury helped shape his vocation. He accompanied Edmund into exile and later studied theology at Orléans before ordination. His education in law thus developed into a more directly pastoral service.

As bishop, he issued statutes covering clergy, worship, and sacramental practice. Requiring clergy to obtain copies made these reforms concrete. His support for the cathedral and almsgiving also show how he used episcopal resources once the dispute with the king had been resolved.

For a time Richard depended on the hospitality of his clergy while carrying out his ministry. His later work included preaching in support of a crusade. He died at Dover on April 3, 1253, and was buried at Chichester. Canonized in 1262, he is remembered through early biographies and his surviving will. His customary feast is April 3, the anniversary of his death.

Richard’s diocesan statutes were not intended to remain in an office. The historical account says priests were required to obtain a copy and bring it to the synod. That detail shows an attempt to make standards for clergy, worship, and the sacraments part of regular communal accountability.

His earlier dependence on the hospitality of clergy, including Simon of Tarring, provides a contrasting view of episcopal authority. A bishop could hold responsibility while being deprived of the resources normally attached to his position. The two episodes together show both the institutional and personal relationships on which diocesan life depended.