Alexander Cameron (priest) facts for kids

Alexander Cameron S.J. (born 1701 – died 19 October 1746) was a Scottish nobleman and a Roman Catholic priest in the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He served Prince Charles Edward Stuart, a Scottish prince who wanted to become king.

After traveling in Europe and the Caribbean, Cameron changed his faith from a type of Protestantism to Catholicism. He then became a priest. Father Cameron led a very successful mission for the Catholic Church in Scotland in areas like Lochaber and Strathglass. At that time, the Catholic Church was not fully legal in Scotland. Later, he became a military chaplain for the Jacobite Army during the Uprising of 1745. His brother, Donald Cameron of Lochiel, led the regiment he served.

After the Battle of Culloden, Father Cameron was captured by the British Army. He died because of the harsh conditions of his imprisonment. He was held without a trial on a prison hulk (a ship used as a prison) in the Thames River. Today, the Knights of St Columba are working to have him recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Early Life and Travels

Alexander Cameron was born in September 1701 at Achnacarry, Scotland. His father was John Cameron, Lord Lochiel. Alexander was also the brother of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, who later became the leader, or Chief, of Clan Cameron. Donald would lead a group of soldiers in the Jacobite Uprising of 1745.

Alexander was raised in a Protestant church called the Scottish Episcopal Church. He went to school in Achnagarry and later attended a boarding school near Stirling.

As a young man, Cameron traveled to the West Indies for his family's business, but he did not enjoy it. He then joined the French Army and traveled across Europe. When he arrived in the Papal States (lands ruled by the Pope in Italy), Cameron became a servant in the home of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. This prince was the son of James Francis Edward Stuart, who claimed to be the rightful King of England.

Choosing a New Faith

While living in Rome, Alexander Cameron became a Catholic. He was greatly influenced by Father John Farqhuarson, a Jesuit priest, and his uncle Alan Cameron. His uncle had been important in an earlier Scottish uprising in 1715.

Alexander wrote to his brother Donald to explain why he changed his faith. He knew his family might be upset. He wrote that he had seen much of the world's wealth but never found true happiness until he found it in his faith. He asked his brother and family to continue loving him and staying in touch.

Cameron also told Donald why he believed the Cameron clan should return to Catholicism. He reminded Donald that their clan had once been Catholic. He also felt that Protestant faiths sometimes left religion only to ministers, instead of encouraging everyone to seek God themselves.

The Jesuit Church in Tournai where Fr. Alexander Cameron made his vows in 1736

Becoming a Priest

Alexander Cameron went to Douai in 1730. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Tournai on September 30, 1734. He made his first promises to the order on October 1, 1736. He became a priest in 1740 and returned to Scotland in June 1741.

Reports show that Cameron was very successful in his work in the Scottish Highlands. Local Presbyterian ministers noted that Cameron was "trafficking with great success" in his mission. He had an advantage because of his connections with the people of Lochaber.

Cameron lived with two other Jesuit priests, Father John Farqhuarson and Father Charles Farqhuarson. Their home was hidden under a large rock at Brae of Craskie in Glenannich. This secret dwelling was the center of the Catholic mission in Lochaber, where Cameron secretly served local Catholics.

The living conditions were very cold, and Cameron almost died there. He refused to move to Beaufort Castle, even though Lord Lovat, who was also Catholic, offered him a warm place to stay. Cameron wanted to stay and help the people of Glenannich through the winter.

Lord Lovat often provided supplies for Cameron and the other priests at secret Mass-houses. However, the local church leaders eventually forced Lovat to close these places.

Capture and Death

In 1745, Cameron became a chaplain for his brother Donald Cameron of Lochiel's Regiment. This regiment had three chaplains: a Presbyterian, a Protestant Episcopalian, and a Catholic. The night before the Battle of Culloden, Father Cameron held a Catholic Mass on the battlefield for his regiment. He wore a special tartan cloth called a chasuble. A piece of this cloth is still kept today.

After the Jacobite army lost at Culloden, Cameron tried to escape the British Army. But he was captured at Morar. He was then taken by Captain Ferguson and later moved to a prison ship called HMS Furnace. Reports say that Captain Ferguson treated Cameron very badly, putting him in chains among the ropes and cables of the ship.

Cameron became very sick because of his imprisonment. Even though a doctor said he should be taken ashore, Captain Ferguson ignored the order. Others tried to give Father Cameron proper bedding, but Ferguson threatened them if they helped him.

Father Cameron died after the Furnace anchored in the Thames. Father John Farquharson was with him. Father Cameron was buried in the closest cemetery to the ship.

Efforts to Make Him a Saint

The Knights of St Columba at the University of Glasgow have started a campaign to have Father Cameron made a saint. They hope he will become an important saint for Scotland. They have a special book at their altar in the University Catholic Chapel where people can write petitions (requests) for his sainthood. For someone to become a saint in the Catholic Church, people must show they already pray to them.

The Knights also give out prayer cards for Cameron. The prayer asks God to help Scotland love the Catholic faith again, inspired by Father Alexander Cameron's example. It asks for his help in converting people's hearts and for him to be recognized as a saint.

An image of Cameron comes from a large woven picture, or tapestry, called "The Prayer for Victory." It was made by William Skeoch Cummings and shows the Jacobite army praying before a battle. Cameron is shown kneeling in the front.

See also

• Patrick Hamilton (martyr)
• George Wishart
• List of Protestant martyrs of the Scottish Reformation
• Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• List of Catholic martyrs of the English Reformation
• Saint John Ogilvie
• John Black (martyr)
• George Douglas (martyr)
• William Gibson (martyr)
• John Ingram (martyr)
• Patrick Primrose
• Hugh Barclay of Ladyland, David Graham, Laird of Fintry, Spanish blanks plot