John Finch
Blessed John Finch (* 1548 in Eccleston , Lancashire , † April 20, 1584 in Lancaster ) was a Catholic martyr from England .
His agricultural family was torn apart by the split in faith and so the young Finch caught the argument. After a trip to London, he became fully aware of the difference between the Catholic and the Protestant faith and decided to lead a Catholic life. His home soon became a missionary center, a dangerous business in Elizabeth I's England .
The local authorities soon became suspicious. At Christmas 1581 John Finch was arrested for admitting George Ostliffe . He was taken to Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby , with the aim of introducing him to the Protestant faith. But he demonstrated resilience to the carrot and stick tactic, consisting of bribery and torture. Over the next two and a half years, he was transferred to various prisons and repeatedly tortured. On April 20, 1584 he was hanged with the priest James Bell .
In 1929 he was appointed by Pope Pius XI. Beatified , his feast day is April 20th.
literature
- Entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia , Robert Appleton Company, New York 1913.
- Claus Bernet : Marsh, John Finch. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 30, Bautz, Nordhausen 2009, ISBN 978-3-88309-478-6 , Sp. 967-968.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Finch, John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British Catholic Martyr |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1548 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Eccleston , Lancashire |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 20, 1584 |
| Place of death | Lancaster |