Every August 5, Saint Abel of Lobbes (Abel of Reims), Benedictine monk, archbishop of Reims (France) between the years 743 and 748, is commemorated.
Born in Scotland (United Kingdom), he emigrated to continental Europe where he would receive the task of running the Church in France, damaged by the interference of political power.
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A bunch of enemies of the Church
Charles Martel (688-741), leader of the Franks and grandfather of Charlemagne, in the same way as he enjoyed enormous prestige for having defeated the Muslims in Poitiers in 732 (which allowed him to stop Arab expansion in Europe), as well as He also became a questionable character, a lover of power and a constant intervener in ecclesial affairs. Martel wanted to control the Gallic bishops and managed to favor the appointment of those who were close to him and the dismissal of those who were uncomfortable to him. He did a similar thing with the abbots of many monasteries. Furthermore, he did not hide his interest in seizing the property and possessions of the Church, causing frequent friction and indignation among Catholics.
Upon the death of Martel, Pepin the Short (714-768), his son, wanted to make amends for the damage done by his father and appointed Abel, who lived in a monastery in Belgium, bishop of Reims. Pepin’s wish was for the Church in Gaul to recover its spiritual strength.
For his part, the deposed archbishop of Reims, named Milo, would maintain a hostile stance against Abel and would plot again and again to remove him. Abel had not even managed to be well received in his episcopal see, quite the opposite, since the Frankish leaders – both political and religious – were not related to him. Unfortunately, Pipino could not give him the necessary support, since he was involved in his successive military campaigns.
“We preach Christ crucified: a scandal to the Jews, foolishness to the Gentiles” (1Cor 1, 22-23)
After three years in his see, Saint Abel retired to his monastery without having managed to fulfill the assigned task, while Milo took over the see of Reims again. Despite this setback – as noted on the website of the French Episcopal Conference – Abel “gave the Church his prayer to compensate for what he could not give through his episcopal ministry.”
The saint born in Lobbes left for the Father’s House on August 5, 770.
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