[Thomas] Cranmer as Archbishop of Canterbury spent the day in the same way as he had when he was a Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge-75% of it in study. And the fruits of that private, searching daily study were coming to maturity as Henry VIII died and his nine-year-old son Edward VI ascended the throne in 1547. The moment had come for deeper reform (emphasis mine).
18 hours a day. Wow. That leaves very little time for sex with the wife and hardly any time for eating and sleeping. I’m impressed.
I’d be happy is modern bishops and other clerics spent less time at Starbucks, tea rooms, and diocesan offices. How about 5 hours of study a day and two weeks mandatory spiritual retreat (not “vacation”) a year?
I don’t know of a diocese that would permit a bishop to spend 75% of a working day in reading, reflection, writing, and prayer, more’s the pity.