John Carey (martyr) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blesseds Thomas Bosgrave, John Carey, and Patrick Salmon
Portraits in the Chideock Martyrs Church in Chideock, England
Laymen
Died	4 July 1594 Dorchester, England
Beatified	15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Feast	4 July

John Carey was an Irish man who lived a long time ago. He was a servant and a Catholic. In 1594, he was put to death in England because of his Catholic faith. He is remembered as one of the "Chideock Martyrs." His special day is July 4th.

Who Were the Chideock Martyrs?

John Carey was born in Dublin, Ireland. He worked as a servant for a man named Thomas Bosgrave. John Carey was a devout Catholic.

In 1594, John Carey was put to death in Dorchester, England. He died alongside Thomas Bosgrave, John Cornelius, and Patrick Salmon. John Cornelius was a Catholic priest. Patrick Salmon was another servant from Dublin. All four men were honored as "Blessed" in 1929 by Pope Pius XI.

Why Were They Persecuted?

During the time of Queen Elizabeth I in England, being a Catholic was very difficult. The government passed a law called the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584. This law made it a crime punishable by death for Catholic priests to be trained overseas and then return to England. It was also a serious crime to help such priests.

The government wanted to stop young Catholic priests from coming to England. These priests were inspired by a movement called the Counter-Reformation. This movement aimed to strengthen the Catholic Church.

Arrest and Trial

John Cornelius was a priest who worked for the Arundell family. He was arrested at Chideock Castle. John Carey and Patrick Salmon were servants at the castle. Thomas Bosgrave was a relative of the Arundell family.

John Cornelius was accused of a very serious crime called high treason. This was because he was a Catholic priest who had returned to England. John Carey, Patrick Salmon, and Thomas Bosgrave were charged with a felony. This meant they had helped someone they knew was a priest.

Their trial happened on July 2, 1594. It took place in the main hall of what is now Chideock House Hotel. They were all found guilty and sentenced to death.

Their Final Moments

Two days later, on July 4, 1594, the men were executed in Dorchester. John Carey and Patrick Salmon were offered a chance to live. They could have given up their Catholic faith and become Protestant. But they refused.

All four men faced a very harsh punishment. When John Carey was about to be executed, he reportedly said, "Oh, precious collar!" The Arundell family later collected their bodies. They made sure the men received a proper burial. These men became known as the Chideock Martyrs.