A monk of Worcester who became its bishop, he was one of the few Anglo-Saxon bishops to keep his see after the Norman Conquest. He cared for the poor and worked to end the slave trade at Bristol.
Life
Saint Wulfstan of Worcester was born in England in the early eleventh century. After becoming a priest he entered the monastery at Worcester and lived as a monk, respected for his prayer, preaching and care for the poor. In 1062 he became bishop of Worcester.
After the Norman Conquest of 1066 many Anglo-Saxon bishops lost their sees, but Wulfstan's holiness allowed him to keep his office for many years. He faithfully visited his diocese, built churches, and worked to end the practice of selling people into slavery at Bristol. He died in 1095 and was canonized in 1203.
Spirituality
Wulfstan's spirituality is the life of a shepherd with the heart of a simple monk. Even as bishop he kept to prayer and plain living and stayed close to his people. His stand against the injustice of buying and selling human beings, defending the dignity of the weak, was his faith made visible in action.
Reflection
Wulfstan would not let the injustice of human trafficking stand. Trafficking and labor exploitation still exist today. Where you live, what could you pay attention to in order to protect human dignity?