PIBUSH, JOHN, BL.

Priest, martyr; b. Thirsk, North Riding, Yorkshire, England; d. hanged, drawn, and quartered at St Thomas's Waterings, Camberwell, Southwark, Feb. 18, 1601. John, probably the son of Thomas Pibush of Great Fencott and Jane Danby of Scotton, studied at Rheims (1580–87) before his ordination on March 14, 1587. He was confined to prison for most of his 12 years in the English mission. After his arrest at Morton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire (1593), he was sent to London, then committed to the Gatehouse at Westminster for a year. After his trial at the Gloucester Assizes under 27 Eliz., c. 2, for being a priest, he was returned to Gloucester jail. He escaped for a day, but was recaptured at Matson. From Gloucester he was sent to the Marshalsea, London, and again tried in Westminster under the same statute, July 1, 1595. Although he was condemned for high treason, he was kept in prison at the Marshalsea and the Queen's Bench prison for more than five years. In the end he was permitted a single day to prepare for his death. He was beatified by Pius XI on Dec. 15, 1929.

Feast of the English Martyrs: May 4 (England).

See Also: england, scotland, and wales, martyrs of.

Bibliography: r. challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, ed. j. h. pollen (rev. ed. London 1924; repr. Farnborough 1969) I, 123. t. f. knox, First and Second Diaries of English College, Douai (London 1878) 169, 179, 198, 212, 214, 222. j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1901) 333–6.

[k. i. rabenstein]