A good friend of King Henry the VIII and after unsuccessfully working to persuade his friend to approve of what he was doing divorcing his wife, King Henry VIII imprisoned More in the Tower of London. At his trial, More testified boldly for Church autonomy over the state, for the authority of the pope as head of the Church, and for the indissolubility of marriage in the eyes of God. He was eventually condemned and beheaded, dying as a martyr for the Catholic faith. Thomas More is the patron saint of statesman, politicians, lawyers, civil servants, and large families. For more information about Saint Thomas More please see https://www.catholiccompany.com/morning-offering/2019-06-22/