VENERABLE EDWARD MORGAN

Today, 23rd April, our thoughts turn to some famous people who are embedded in our culture. Today is the Feast of St George, Patron Saint of England.  It is also the birth date of William Shakespeare.  

St George, Patron Saint of England

However, there is another I wish to remember on this Blog today. A fellow countryman of our beloved St David Lewis, Edward Morgan was born in Flintshire, North Wales.   He studied at the English Colleges of Rome, Madrid and Valladolid.  In 1621 Edward Morgan was ordained priest at Salamanca.

Photo J D Smith

Using the alias of John Singleton, Fr Morgan returned to his homeland to work among his struggling Catholic brethren. In April 1629 he was imprisoned in Flintshire for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance.  Three years later, 1632, the priest was condemned in the Star Chamber to have his ears nailed to the pillory for accusing certain judges of treason.

Photo J D Smith

Immediately after, Fr Morgan was committed to the Fleet Prison in London.  He languished there for almost ten years.  On St George's Day, 23rd April 1642, at the Old Bailey, Fr Morgan was condemned to death for being a priest.  Soon after, on 26th April 1642, Welsh priest, Fr Edward Morgan,  was executed at Tyburn.  In 1886, he was declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIII. So, on this St George's Day, 23rd April 2019, let us remember another stalwart Welsh priest and martyr, Venerable Edward Morgan.

Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903)