Wilfrid (634–709)

Biography

Born in Northumbria, England, he was directly responsible for achieving the fusion of the two factions that existed within the English Church of those times: the Celtic Church, practically autonomous, and the Anglo-Saxon Church, obedient to the Roman see. Wilfrido's life was extremely eventful and he made as many enemies as friends. He was bishop of York, but rarely held its see. In the intervals he evangelized Sussex, England and Holland. He founded monasteries in many parts of Europe and ended his life a little more peacefully at Hexhan Abbey in Austria.