This week in Christian history: First openly gay UMC bishop elected, priest captured for high treason
Edmund Campion captured – July 17, 1581
This week marks the anniversary of when Edmund Campion was captured by English authorities.
Born to Catholic parents who later converted to Protestantism, Campion was ordained a deacon in the Church of England before deciding to become a Catholic priest. He later founded a Jesuit mission in England.
Campion ministered to English Catholics in secret, due to the legal restrictions on the religion, with a spy eventually discovering that he was staying at a family's home.
“Government agents surrounded that house on this day, 16 July,” explained the Christian History Institute. “Though the owners hid Campion, he was discovered the following afternoon and captured with another priest.”
“Government attorneys accused Campion of treason. As evidence, they pointed to the pope’s bull against Elizabeth, subversive literature found at some Catholic homes he had visited, and his secret movements. Campion insisted he had only ministered and taught.”
Months after his capture, Campion was executed.
