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This week in Christian history: English Jesuit martyred, pope deposed, missionary travels to South Africa

By Michael Gryboski, Editor

Edmund Campion martyred – Dec. 1, 1581

Edmund Campion (1540-1581), an English Jesuit priest and Catholic saint who was executed for high treason. Campion is often depicted with a knife in his chest, symbolizing how his heart was cut out after being hanged.
Edmund Campion (1540-1581), an English Jesuit priest and Catholic saint who was executed for high treason. Campion is often depicted with a knife in his chest, symbolizing how his heart was cut out after being hanged. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when St. Edmund Campion, an English Jesuit priest who was found guilty of high treason, was executed by being hung and having his heart cut out.

Born to Catholic parents who later converted to Protestantism, Campion went to Oxford and then was an ordained deacon in the Church of England before deciding to become a Catholic priest.

After leaving for mainland Europe to join the Society of Jesus, Campion returned to England when the Jesuits began a mission there, but was later arrested with other Catholic clergy.

“On Nov. 14, the priests were led to Westminster Hall where charges were raised against them that they had formed a conspiracy against the life of the queen,” stated the Jesuits’ website.

“Campion attempted to defend all the priests by pointing out their motives were religious, not political; but they were found guilty of high treason and condemned to be hanged, drawn and quartered.”

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