Odilo grew up steeped in religion from an early age, and sailed up the ladder of ecclesiastical success at a meteoric rate. Yet, much like the current Bishop of Rome, Francis, Odilo considered the plight of the poor as the most important use for any riches the church might possess. Despite widespread censure from A-List churchmen, Odilo–during a Great Famine in 1006–ordered that his abbey’s sacred vessels, ornaments, and crowns should all be melted down and/or sold off in order to provide for those most in need. What do you think?