THE PERJURER TITUS OATES AND EIGHT JESUITS (PART 4)

BLESSED THOMAS WHITBREAD S J

In the 16th and 17th centuries, harsh laws were in force against Catholics and, according to Statute 27 Elizabeth, 1585, it was high treason to be a Catholic priest and to celebrate Mass. Of course, there were many who abandoned Catholicism for the new, Established Religion. However, there were also many who clung steadfastly to their Catholic Faith. Those Catholics remained loyal to their Sovereign but, in matters of religion, would not accept the Supremacy of the Crown.

For those who kept the Old Faith this meant practising their religion covertly. Priests were needed to minister to the Catholics so seminaries were established in various places on the Continent to train English boys and men for the priesthood. Knowing the grave dangers they faced, they returned as priests to their homeland to tend to the needs of their persecuted countrymen.

The Popish Plot, also known as the Oates Plot, was no plot at all. It was the product of the fertile and evil imagination of a known criminal, the convicted perjurer, Titus Oates. In August 1678, Oates alleged that there was a Catholic plot, inspired and led by the Jesuits, to murder the King, Charles II. The objective of this so called plot was to re-establish Catholicism in the country by replacing the Protestant Charles with his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York. Hatred and mistrust of Catholics was rife and memories of plots such as the Gunpowder Plot were still fresh. So it was an easy thing for Oates, with the connivance of certain politicians, to spread panic and fear throughout the country. His calamitous deception cost the lives of many innocent people, including eight Jesuit priests. Thomas Whitbread was one.

Thomas Whitbread was born in Essex in 1618. He studied at St Omer in Flanders and on 7th September 1635 he entered the Jesuit Novitiate. Ordained in 1645, Fr Thomas Whitbread (alias Thomas Harcourt) embarked upon the English Mission in 1647. In 1678, Fr Whitbread became the Jesuit Provincial and in this capacity he encountered Titus Oates at St Omer. Oates, after a very chequered and dubious past, had converted to Catholicism and applied to enter the Jesuits. Whitbread, exhibiting great perspicacity, refused him and had him expelled from the college. Titus Oates later declared that his conversion to Catholicism was feigned in order to infiltrate the Jesuits and learn their secrets! Oates returned to London where he met an old acquaintance, Israel Tonge. Tonge had long harboured hatred and suspicion of Catholics and, with his encouragement, Oates let loose the surge of persecution that enveloped the country.

Before dawn on 29th September 1678, Parliamentary soldiers, led by Oates, arrested Fr Whitbread and Fr Edward Mico. Both priests were suffering from plague and were too ill to be moved. By December Fr Mico had died but the Provincial was now well enough to be taken to Newgate Prison. Here he joined two other Jesuits, Frs William Ireland and John Fenwick. Fr Ireland and Fr Fenwick had been arrested by Oates the previous night.

On 17th December 1678, Fr Whitbread, Fr Ireland and Fr Fenwick were brought to trial at the Old Bailey. Fr Ireland was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered but the evidence against Fr Whitbread and Fr Fenwick was insufficient and they were remanded in prison.

Fr Whitbread again appeared at the Old Bailey on 13th June 1679. Lord Chief Justice Scroggs presided and Titus Oates and other criminals, liars and lowlife, were the witnesses for the prosecution. Scroggs ordered the jury to find the defendant guilty, which, needless to say, they did. The punishment for High Treason was to be hanged, drawn and quartered. At Tyburn, the 61 year old Jesuit suffered this barbarous execution on Friday, 20th June 1679. Before he was hanged, Fr Whitbread affirmed his innocence, forgave those whose lies had condemned him and then prayed silently until the cart was pulled away. Although Fr Whitbread’s body was cut down and quartered, some loyal and brave friends claimed his remains and buried them in the churchyard of St Giles in the Fields.

The Martyred Jesuit Provincial, Fr Thomas Whitbread, was beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15th December 1929.

LINKS TO THIS POST:

The Perjurer Titus Oates and Eight Jesuits (Part 1)

The Perjurer Titus Oates and Eight Jesuits (Part 2)

The Perjurer Titus Oates and Eight Jesuits (Part 3)

THE PERJURER TITUS OATES AND EIGHT JESUITS (PART 3)

BLESSED JOHN FENWICK John Fenwick was born in Durham, England, in 1628. Fenwick, whose real surname was Caldwell, was disowned by his Protestant parents when he converted to Catholicism. In 1654 he went to St Omer and, on 28th September 1656, he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Watten. He was ordained priest in 1664 and, returning to St Omer, he was made procurator of the College. In 1674, Fr Fenwick was sent upon the English Mission to work in the London area.

On the night of 28th September 1678, armed soldiers, led by that convicted perjurer, Titus Oates, entered his lodgings and arrested Fr Fenwick. Another Jesuit, Fr William Ireland, and an assistant, John Grove, were also taken prisoner. The three were incarcerated at Newgate Prison where they received harsh treatment. John Fenwick suffered so much from his chains and bolts that amputation of one of his legs was considered. This was decided against because the authorities were certain he would soon be convicted and executed anyway!

On 17th December 1678, Fr John Fenwick appeared at the Old Bailey and was tried for High Treason. Being a Catholic priest and saying Mass constituted High Treason! Because there was insufficient evidence to find the Jesuit guilty, he was sent back to prison. Witnesses had already testified but justice was not meant for Catholics, especially Catholic priests. Under the Penal Laws the only objective was to find priests guilty and execute them so the trial was postponed to a later date!

On 13th June 1679, Fr Fenwick again appeared at the Old Bailey for trial. Titus Oates and the equally corrupt Stephen Dugdale were witnesses against him. Lord Chief Justice William Scroggs instructed the jury to find the priest guilty. As expected, the jury complied and John Fenwick was found guilty of high Treason and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

One week later, on Friday, 20th June 1679, Fr John Fenwick was taken to Tyburn in London. As he stood awaiting his fate, a messenger arrived shouting “A pardon, a pardon.” He delivered to the sheriff a document stating that the condemned man would be pardoned if he admitted his guilt and told all about the plot. The steadfast Fr Fenwick replied that he could acknowledge no guilt for a non-existent plot and would not lie to gain a pardon. The barbaric execution was carried out and the martyred priest’s remains were claimed by friends who buried them in the churchyard of St Giles in the Fields.

Jesuit martyr, Fr John Fenwick, was beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15th December 1929.

LINKS TO THIS POST:

The Perjurer Titus Oates and Eight Jesuits (Part 2)

The Perjurer Titus Oates and Eight Jesuits (Part 1)

THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST DAVID LEWIS WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST 2010. HOLY MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PORTH-Y-CARNE STREET, USK, AT 3 P M. MASS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PROCESSION TO THE MARTYR'S GRAVE WHERE A SHORT SERVICE WILL BE HELD. REFRESHMENTS WILL THEN BE SERVED IN THE PARISH HALL. ALL ARE WELCOME!

THE PERJURER TITUS OATES AND EIGHT JESUITS (PART 2)

THE FIRST JESUIT VICTIM, BLESSED WILLIAM IRELAND

William Ireland (alias Ironmonger) was born in Lincolnshire in 1636. In 1655, at the age of 19, he entered the Jesuit Novitiate and was ordained in 1667. In June 1677, Fr William Ireland was sent upon the English Mission, taking up work in London. Little more than a year later, 28th September 1678, he, Fr John Fenwick, and their assistant, John Grove, were arrested by a group led by the evil Titus Oates. The perjurer Oates was the instigator of the fabricated but deadly, Popish Plot. The two Jesuits and the layman, John Grove, were imprisoned in Newgate Prison where they were bound in heavy chains.

The three came to trial on 17th December 1678. At the trial, Titus Oates testified that in April the Jesuits had held a meeting to make plans to assassinate King Charles and place his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York, on the throne. Oates claimed to have been present at this meeting and that Frs Ireland and Fenwick and Mr Grove were also present. Fr Ireland, stated Oates, had been seen loitering about the royal residence during August. Fr Ireland had witnesses to prove that, at the time he was supposed to have been around the royal residence, he was actually in North Wales and the Midlands. Absurdly, the word of a convicted perjurer was taken over the word of reliable witnesses. Fr Ireland, John Grove and a Benedictine brother, Thomas Pickering, were found guilty of high treason and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

The King, Charles II, never believed in the claims of Titus Oates and he postponed the execution. However, popular opinion, whipped up by certain politicians, was in agreement with Oates. Perhaps remembering his own father’s fate, the King allowed the executions to take place. On 24th January 1679, amid the taunts and insults of the people of London, Fr William Ireland was dragged to Tyburn. There he was hanged then cut down to be drawn and quartered.

The diabolical fabrication of the vile Titus Oates had claimed its first Jesuit martyr. Fr William Ireland was the first Jesuit to die during the frenzy generated by the Oates Plot but before it ended, seven more Jesuits, including St David Lewis, would be executed.

Fr William Ireland S J was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929.

LINKS TO THIS POST:

THE PERJURER TITUS OATES AND EIGHT JESUITS (PART 1)

IMPORTANT!

There are two important things I want to tell you about.

The first is that Jackie Parkes has a new blog, LEADKINDLYLIGHT. It is a great site so be sure to follow the link and have a look at it. You will be very pleased you did. And Jackie, good luck with the new blog. Knowing you, I know we can expect good things from leadkindlylight.

The second important thing is a reminder to those who live in or near USK.

The Annual Pilgrimage to the grave of LAST WELSH MARTYR, ST DAVID LEWIS, will take place on 29th August 2010. The proceedings will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass at 3 o'clock at the Catholic Church of St Francis Xavier and St David Lewis. The church is located on Porth-Y-Carne Street, Usk. After Mass, there will be a procession to the Saint's grave in the churchyard of the Priory Church. Following a short service at the grave, all are invited to the Parish Hall where light refreshments will be served.

If you are in the area on 29th AUGUST, make a note in your diary and come and pay your respects to a great Welsh Martyr and Saint.

FAVOURITE PRAYERS

Sister Ann Marie of FRANCISCAN LIFE has tagged me for my three favourite prayers. To choose three favourites is a hard job because I have many which I say on a regular basis. The three I chose for this post are:

The beautiful prayer of St Ignatius, Anima Christi, because it is a prayer I have said after Holy Communion since I was a child. It was taught to me by my Father, who also made it a part of his thanksgiving prayers after Holy Communion.

ANIMA CHRISTI

Soul of Christ, sanctify me;

Body of Christ, save me;

Blood of Christ, inebriate me;

Water from the side of Christ, wash me;

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me;

Within your wounds, hide me;

Never permit me to be separated from You;

From the malignant enemy, defend me;

At the hour of death, call me,

And bid me come to you,

That with your saints

I may praise you forever.

Amen.

The "Prayer to the Holy Spirit" is another prayer from childhood. As a teenager, I gave it plenty of use at exam time! It is still one of my favourite prayers and one which I pray daily because, although I don't do exams anymore, I am definitely in need of much guidance from the Holy Spirit!

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who has instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant that by the light of the same Holy Spirit, we may be always truly wise and

ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Prayer for the Holy Souls is a favourite of mine because it is good to remember those who can no longer help themselves. Because it is a short prayer, it is easily remembered and can be prayed anytime.

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Now for the hard part of this post - choosing five others to tag!

ALEXANDRA

TRACY

JENNA

MOLLY

PAX ET BONUM

The rules are as follows:

Name your three most favourite Catholic devotional prayers, and explain why they're your favorites. Then tag five bloggers - give them a link, and then go and tell them they have been tagged. Finally, tell the person who tagged you that you've completed the meme. The Liturgy and the Sacraments are off limits here. I'm more interested in people's favourite devotional prayers.

THE PERJURER TITUS OATES AND EIGHT JESUITS (PART 1)

Titus Oates was born in Oakham, Rutland, in 1649. Perhaps it is easy to see how he developed into the squalid little man he became when one looks at his father, Samuel. Samuel appears to have been a man of weak character with no true commitment to religion of any kind. He preferred to follow whichever was to his best material advantage. At one time Samuel was Anglican rector of Marsham; in Cromwell’s time he was a Baptist minister; at the Restoration he became an Anglican again and, eventually, reverted to the Baptist faith.

The young Titus was reputed to be of a dubious character and not a very able student who was expelled from several colleges. Nonetheless, he became an Anglican vicar. While he was serving as vicar in a parish in Kent, he was imprisoned for perjury, having accused a schoolmaster in Hastings of a serious crime. Oates escaped and fled to London. He then managed to secure an appointment as chaplain of an English Navy ship. He again fell foul of the law and was accused of a capital offence.

On Ash Wednesday 1677, Titus Oates was received into the Catholic Church. He was later to claim that he had done this only to infiltrate the Jesuits and learn their secrets. Convinced of his sincerity, the Jesuit Provincial, Richard Strange, helped him to gain admittance to the Jesuit colleges, first at Valladolid and then at St Omer. The new Provincial, Thomas Whitbread, was decidedly unimpressed with Oates and, in June 1678, had him expelled from the college.

Oates returned to London where he revived his friendship with Israel Tonge, a clergyman whom he had met through his indecisive father, Samuel. Titus Oates told Tonge that while he was at the college he had learned of a planned meeting of Jesuits in London. The two scoundrels concocted a fearsome tale of murder and sedition. Supposedly there was a Catholic inspired plot to murder the King, Charles II, and to rid the country of Protestantism by placing the King’s Catholic brother, James Duke of York, on the throne. According to them, the masterminds of this imagined plot were the Jesuits in England who were to carry out the regicide.

Oates and Tonge wrote a numbered 43 paragraph manuscript detailing the fictional plot. The pair then arranged for an intermediary, Christopher Kirkby, to present it to the King. On 13th August 1678, as the King was walking in St James’s Park, Kirkby presented him with the manuscript. Though Charles was a Protestant, his wife was a Catholic and he was a man who tried to rule with tolerance. The King’s life had once been saved by Catholics and he dismissed the plot as so much nonsense. However, he handed the matter over to his minister, the Earl of Danby. Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey was appointed to investigate the plot and Titus Oates gave a deposition before him. It was a boon for Oates when, shortly after, the magistrate was found dead. Of course, Catholics were blamed for the murder (if murder it was) and with Oates fanning the flames, the whole country was soon ablaze with fear and hatred of Catholics. In the frenzy that swept the country, many innocent Catholics were executed. Among them were eight Jesuit priests: William Ireland, John Gavan, William Harcourt, Anthony Turner, Thomas Whitbread, John Fenwick, Philip Evans and David Lewis.

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST DAVID LEWIS
SUNDAY, 29th AUGUST 2010
3:00 p m - MASS AT SS FRANCIS XAVIER AND DAVID LEWIS CHURCH, PORTH-Y-CARNE STREET, USK
PROCESSION TO THE MARTYR'S GRAVE
REFRESHMENTS IN THE PARISH HALL