Other saints of the day

SAINT GODFREY
Bishop
(1066-1115)

        St Godfrey was born in 1066 in the diocese of Soissons (France). At the age of 25, he was ordained priest and became the abbot of the Abbey of Nogent-sous-Coucy.

He was named bishop of Amiens (France) in 1104. He was noted for his rigid austerity with himself, those around him, and in his approach to his mission as bishop.

He was an enforcer of clerical celibacy and an opponent of drunkenness and simony.

        For most of his time as bishop, he wished to resign and retire as a Carthusian monk. In 1114 he moved to a monastery, but a few months later he was called back to his post by the people of Amiens, and he agreed. He also took part in the Council of Chálons.

        He fell sick and took refuge in the abbey of Saint Crépin in Soissons, where he died in 1115.