Taking the Catholic Pulse
Sign In
    • Elise Ann Allen
    • Christopher R. Altieri
    • Deirdre Brennan
    • Eduardo Campos Lima
    • Nirmala Carvalho
    • Ngala Killian Chimtom
    • Charles Collins
    • Paterno R. Esmaquel II
    • Fionn Shiner
    • Stephan Uttom Rozario
    • Vatican
    • U.S.
    • UK and Ireland
    • Middle East
    • Americas
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Oceania
    • Interviews
    • News Analysis
    • Videos
    • Podcast
    • Last Week in the Church
  • Support Us
  • About Us
    • Contact Details
    • Advertising
    • Email Updates

  

    

       

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Crux
© 2026 Crux Now Media, LLC
Privacy & Cookie Policy
CruxTaking the Catholic Pulse
  • About Crux
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Videos
  • Support Us
Podcast:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Podcast Index
  • Amazon Music
  • Google Podcasts
  • TuneIn

Quick Links

  • Currents News
  • Magisterium
  • Vulgate
  • VMR Communications
  • DeSales Media Group in the Diocese of Brooklyn
Latest
Card. Radcliffe visits war-torn Ukraine, praises ‘great courage’ of people

Comey, Trump and this ‘meddlesome priest’

By Jessica Estepa
Jun 11, 2017
|Religion News Service
Share
Comey, Trump and this ‘meddlesome priest’

Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 8, 2017. (Credit: Photo courtesy of Reuters/Jonathan Ernst.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – James Comey likened President Trump’s suggestion to drop the Michael Flynn investigation to an English monarch’s indirect order to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, asked whether Comey interpreted certain phrases  from the president of the United States, such as “I hope” or “I suggest,” as directives.
“Yes. It kind of rings in my ears as, ‘Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?’” Comey replied.

“Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest” #Comey again questioned about his interpretation of ‘hope’ as a directive. pic.twitter.com/VnrH4u9Wly

— ABC News (@abcnews) June 8, 2017

Comey was quoting a well-known saying from Henry II. Back in 1170, the king of England was years into a quarrel with Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, over the rights of the church. Henry II is often quoted as saying, “Will no one rid of me of this turbulent priest?” His men interpreted this as the king wanting Becket dead. Soon after, Becket was assassinated.
Becket was later venerated as a saint:

Thomas Becket went on to become a saint, FYI.

— Carlos Lozada (@CarlosLozadaWP) June 8, 2017

(Estepa writes for USA Today)

Share

Latest Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Popular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Keep Crux Independent

Crux. Anytime. Anywhere.

Today's top stories delivered straight into your inbox.

After a renovation, Pope Leo XIV moves into the papal apartment eschewed by Pope Francis

  • Mar 15
  • Nicole Winfield

Pope Leo XIV to Mideast belligerents: ‘Cease fire!’

  • Mar 15
  • Christopher R. Altieri

Cardinal Kikuchi: Catholic schools an evangelizing presence in Japan

  • Mar 15
  • Nirmala Carvalho

Card. Radcliffe visits war-torn Ukraine, praises ‘great courage’ of people

  • Mar 15
  • Crux Now Staff
Comey, Trump and this ‘meddlesome priest’ | Crux

Card. Radcliffe visits war-torn Ukraine, praises ‘great courage’ of people

  • Mar 15
  • Crux Now Staff

Pope Leo XIV to Mideast belligerents: ‘Cease fire!’

  • Mar 15
  • Christopher R. Altieri

War has already displaced nearly a million Lebanese, and aid groups warn of a humanitarian crisis

  • Mar 15
  • Kareem Chehayeb and Malak Harb

After a renovation, Pope Leo XIV moves into the papal apartment eschewed by Pope Francis

  • Mar 15
  • Nicole Winfield
Law enforcement respond to a call at Temple Israel synagogue on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in West Bloomfield Township, Mich. (Credit: Corey Williams/AP.)

A grim list: Some notable attacks on houses of worship around the world in recent years

  • Mar 13
  • Associated Press
(Credit: Unsplash.)

Assisted Suicide cannot be an option for psychiatrists, expert says

  • Mar 12
  • Charles Collins
A man walks past Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (Credit: Gene J. Puskar/AP.)

Head priest of Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh accused of stealing baseball cards from Walmart

  • Mar 12
  • Associated Press
The St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral is seen Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in El Cajon, Calif. (Credit: Gregory Bull/AP.)

What to know about the embezzlement charges facing a former Chaldean Catholic bishop in California

  • Mar 11
  • Rebecca Boone