Edmund Campion (1540-1581) English Jesuit priest and martyr

Edmund Campion died a martyr because his conscience was unable to accept the offer of freedom he was offered by the 3 privy councilors while being held in the Tower of London for treason… He was happy to accept Elizabeth 1 as queen but unable, in good conscience, accept the validity of the Anglican Church.

In his Decern Rationes ( Ten Reasons) he explained his arguments against the validity of the Anglican Church.

He had been educated in England at Oxford University. In 1564 he had received Holy Orders as a deacon in the Anglican Church but inwardly he took a remorse of conscience and detestation of mind.

Religious difficulties arose.

He moved to Ireland (1569-1570) where he helped establish the University of Dublin.

He moved to Douai (1571-1573) in the Low Countries (France) where he was reconciled to the Catholic Church. He gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree while hr taught rhetoric. He received minor orders after this and was ordained sub-deacon.

He travelled, on foot, as a pilgrim, to Rome in 1573 to join the Jesuits as a novice.

In Prague (1573-1580) he was ordained a deacon and priest. For 6 years years he was professor of rhetoric and philosophy.E

In 1580 the mission to England began badly. Before they left they learned that a letter detailing the mission had been intercepted.

Edmund, in the guise of a jewel merchant.arrived in London on 24th June 1580.
His presence soon became known but he began his task of administering the sacrament and preaching. In Norfolk, on 15th July, he was captured by George Eliot, a spy, and taken to London.

He was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Interrogated.
14 th November indicted
20th November found guilty
1st December hung, drawn and quartered ( This is his Feast Day)
Edmund was 41 years of age

23 educational institutions are named after him.

Sources
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton