St. Malachy becomes Bishop of Connor; he builds the Monastery of Iveragh.
- (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,1 and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.2 But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,3 together with that of the metropolitan.4 It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,5 that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical affairs St. Bernard misunderstood the information supplied to him, and thus separated Malachy’s tenure of the abbacy of Bangor from his episcopate, though the two were in reality conterminous. For the significance of Malachy’s recall to the North, see Introduction, p. liii. f.; and for a fuller discussion, R.I.A., xxxv. 250-254..
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But when he began to administer his office, the man of God understood that he had been sent not to men but to beasts. Never before had he known the like, in whatever depth of barbarism; never had he found men so shameless in regard of morals, so dead in regard of rites, so impious in regard of faith, so barbarous in regard of laws, so stubborn in regard of discipline, so unclean in regard of life. They were Christians in name, in fact pagans.6 There was no giving of tithes or first-fruits; no entry into lawful marriages, no making of confessions: nowhere could be found any who would either seek penance or impose it. Ministers of the altar were exceeding few. But indeed what need was there of more when even the few were almost in idleness and ease among the laity? There was no fruit which they could bring forth from their offices among a people so vile. For in the churches there was not heard the voice either of preacher or singer.7 What was the athlete of the Lord8 to do? He must either yield with shame or with danger fight. But he who recognized that he was a shepherd and not a hireling, elected to stand rather than to flee, prepared to give his life for the sheep if need be.9 And although all were wolves and there were no sheep, the intrepid shepherd stood in the midst of the wolves, rich in all means by which he might make sheep out of wolves10—admonishing in public, arguing in secret, weeping with one and another; accosting men now roughly, now gently, according as he saw it to be expedient for each. And in cases where these expedients failed he offered for them a broken and a contrite heart.11 How often did he spend entire nights in vigil, holding out his hands in prayer! And when they would not come to the church he went to meet the unwilling ones in the streets and in the broad ways, and going round about the city, he eagerly sought12 whom he might gain for Christ.
- (11). But further afield also, none the less, he very frequently traversed country parts and towns with that holy band of disciples, who never left his side. He went and bestowed even on the unthankful13 their portion of the heavenly meat.14 Nor did he ride on a horse, but went afoot, in this also proving himself an apostolic man. Good Jesus, how great things thy warrior suffered for Thy name’s sake15 from crime-stained children.16 How great things he endured for Thee from those very men to whom, and on whose behalf, he spoke good things. Who can worthily express with how great vexations he was harassed, with what insults he was assailed, with what unrighteous acts provoked,17 how often he was faint with hunger, how often afflicted with cold and nakedness?18 Yet with them that hated peace he was a peacemaker,19 instant, nevertheless, in season, out of season.20 Being defamed he intreated;21 when he was dealt with unrighteously he defended himself with the shield of patience and overcame evil with good.22 Why should he not overcome? He continued knocking,23 and according to the promise, at length, sometimes, to him that knocked it was opened.24 How could that not follow which the Truth25 had declared beforehand should follow? The right hand of the Lord brought mighty things to pass,26 because the mouth of the Lord spoke27 the truth. Hardness vanished, barbarity ceased; the rebellious house28 began gradually to be appeased, gradually to admit reproof, to receive discipline.29 Barbarous laws disappear, Roman laws are introduced; everywhere the ecclesiastical customs are received, their opposites are rejected; churches30 are rebuilt, a clergy is appointed in them; the solemnities of the sacraments are duly celebrated; confessions are made; congregations31 come to the church; the celebration of marriage graces those who live together.32 In fine, all things are so changed for the better that to-day the word which the Lord speaks by the prophet is applicable to that nation; those who before were not my people are now my people.33