Dean Robert speaks about Martyrdom and Becket in the Church of St Thomas, Salamanca

At this point of the year when we think of Thomas Becket and of his martyrdom on 29th December, we thought you might enjoy this short film from the church of Santo Tomás Cantuariensis de la Iglesia Episcopal Reformada de España de Salamanca (or the church of St Thomas of Canterbury in Salamanca - which is part of the Episcopal Church of Spain).

This is a conversation between Dean Robert and Fletcher (who stepped in following the last minute departure of the planned interviewer, a professor from Salamanca University, who sadly had a bereavement in the family and had to fly home to the US unexpectedly). It is the first time that Fletcher has been on camera and apologises for his poor performance! (He is MUCH happier behind the camera!)

As Dean Robert explains in the film, the Episcopal Church of Spain is a very special extra-provincial church within the family of the Episcopal/Anglican church and, though small, is growing and expanding both in regards number of parishoners and parishes across Spain - now totalling 53 parishes! The church nationally is run by Bp Carlos Lópes and the parish in Salamanca, which has such a very special link and witness to the work of Canterbury in walking the story of martyrdom and ministering to the pilgrims and students in the city, is overseen by Fr Rubén Legidos Baidez. Due to the independent nature of the church in Spain there are not many funds or endowments which means that everything they do has been made possible by the generosity of their neighbours in the Roman Catholic church and by the city of Salamanca (such as the gifting of the church) or by donors - so if you are in a position to help and think it is something that you would like to do (the church would desperately love to put in a new heating system and to mend some issues with the fabric of the building!!) then please do consider making a donation to the parish which can be done by transfer to:
PARROQUIA ANGLICANA SALAMANCA
Account number: ES60 0182 7527 6102 0162 9636
- be sure to send a note to the church so that they might thank you and keep you briefed on all their news and they would be thrilled to greet you and to show you around whenever you are in Salamanca!

If instead you would like to give to Wildwood to support their efforts in rescuing endangered wildlife species (which range from water voles and kingfishers, red squirrels and dormice to lynx and bison - the latter of which they have released into the ancient Blean Forest surrounding Canterbury with huge success, so successful that they are already reproducing with the arrival of a beautiful and healthy calf last year) or if you would just like more information on their work or to visit them to see the animals when in Canterbury then visit their site - www.wildwoodtrust.org!

Dean Robert and Fletcher wish you all a very Merry continuation of Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes - may 2024 be a happy, healthy and productive year for each and every one of you!



Credits:

Music - The beautiful music in the broadcast is an anonymous C15th piece entitled "St Thomas, Honour We" and it is hear performed by our very dear later friend and former organist of Canterbury, Allan Wicks, and the stunning Canterbury choir and was recorded in 1965.

The closing clip of the chough is by a wonderful young film-maker and ornithologist, "Midlands Birder", whom you should check out and subscribe to his channel on youtube to watch some really wonderful film of different species:    / @midlandsbirder  

The film of the interview was valiantly done by Fernando Mullor in the face of many tech issues (which sadly is the reason for the lack of a film of the service as the sound quality was too bad) and we both thank Fernando for all his hard work!