Saint Chad
Saint
Also Known As: St. Ceadda
Saint Chad was bishop of both York and Lichfield during the 7th century A.D. After the U.S. presidential elections of 2000, when paper ballot segments called 'chads' were a key point of contention, a rumor circulated that the historical St. Chad was the patron saint of disputed elections. The rumor was not true; although Chad himself was once involved in a confused dispute over the bishopric of York, he was never patron saint of elections.
Saint Chad appears with Kurt Vonnegut in our loop on Legends of E-Mail... Other saints on Who2 include Patrick, Catherine of Siena and Bernadette of Lourdes.
Four Good Links
Urban Legends: St. Chad
A detailed debunking of the "patron saint of disputed elections" story
Catholic Encyclopedia: Saint Chad
Tells the basic story of the bishop, with copious links to related figures
St. Chad
Biographical profile from the Patron Saints Index
The Parish of Saint Chad, Lichfield
The modern-day site of Chad's ancient parish; excellent history of Chad and the church

