Proclamation on 850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket; December 28, 2020

[thucythucy]

4. The argument over which Becket was killed

was whether or not priests and other officials of the church should be exempt from trials in secular courts.

He argued that church officials could only be tried by the church.

This famously included priests who committed murder and rape.

When such criminals were tried by fellow priests they generally got off scot free, or were given minimal punishments.

Henry II wasn't even arguing against church trials, but only that, once convicted, the civil authorities should determine the punishment.

Becket opposed even that reform.

Not that his murder was justified. But to see him as some champion of civil liberties is just plain ludicrous.