Philip Evans and John Lloyd
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Saints Philip Evans and John Lloyd were Welsh Roman Catholic priests, who died for their faith. They are both among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
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[edit] Titus Oates' 'Plot'
The lives, and deaths of both saints need to be seen against the backdrop of Titus Oates' "plot". Oates concocted a "plot" in which the Anglican King, (Charles the Second) was to be assassinated and his Catholic brother (later, King James the Second) installed as king in his stead.
In the febrile atmosphere of the country the "plot" was credulously believed. However, when Oates' story was examined in detail the story collapsed and Oates was flogged and imprisoned; among the many Catholics caught up in the frenzy were Evans and Lloyd.
[edit] Father Philip Evans
This revered martyr was born in Monmouth, 1645, was educated at St Omer he joined the Society of Jesus, 7 September 1665, and was ordained at Liege and sent to South Wales as a missionary in 1675.
He was a zealous priest and despite the official anti-Catholic policy no action was taken against him. Then the Oates' scare swept the country and both Father Lloyd and Father Evans were caught up in the aftermath.
In the November 1678 a John Arnold, of Llanvihangel Court near Abergavenny, a justice of the peace and hunter of priests, offered a reward of £200 (an enormous sum then) for his arrest. Despite the manifest dangers Father Evans steadfastly refused to leave his flock.
He was arrested at the home of a Mr. Christopher Turberville at Sker, Glamorgan on 4 December 1678.
[edit] Father John Lloyd
Father John Lloyd, a Welshman and a secular priest (ie, a priest not associated with any order). He was a Breconshire man, who had taken the missionary oath at Valladolid in 1649 and been sent to minister in his own country. He was arrested during the Oates' scare at Penlline, Glamorgan.
[edit] Trial
Both priests were brought to trial in Cardiff on Monday, 5 May 1679. Neither was charged with being associated with the "plot" concocted by Oates. Nonetheless, they were tried for being priests and coming into the principality of Wales contrary to the provisions of the law, and were found guilty.
[edit] Executions
The executions took place in Gallows Field, Cardiff on 22 July 1679
Saint Philip Evans was the first to die. He addressed the gathering in both Welsh and English saying, ‘Adieu, Father Lloyd! Though only for a little time, for we shall soon meet again'. Saint John Lloyd spoke very briefly saying, ‘I never was a good speaker in my life'.
[edit] Canonisations
In 1970, both John Lloyd and Philip Evans, S.J. were canonised by Pope Paul VI. Their joint feast day is July 22.
[edit] Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
They are also remembered among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, whose collective feast day is kept on 25 October.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Interestingly, on his death bed Charles converted to the Roman Catholic faith.
[edit] Sources
Encyclopædia Britannica, 15th Edition
