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Feast Day: June 20
Death: June 1, 20
Blessed Anthony Turner, born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England in 1628, was the son of a Protestant minister. He received a comprehensive education at Cambridge University, where he distinguished himself for his intelligence and academic prowess. However, his studies led him on a transformative spiritual journey that ultimately led to his conversion to Catholicism.
Seeking to deepen his understanding of the Catholic faith, Anthony Turner embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. There, he immersed himself in the rich traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church, further strengthening his newfound beliefs. Inspired by the dedication and apostolic zeal of the Jesuit order, he decided to join their ranks and traveled to Flanders, Belgium, where he entered the Society of Jesus.
After completing his formation, Turner was ordained a Catholic priest in 1661. Filled with a burning desire to serve the faithful and spread the Gospel, he returned to his native England. Settling in Worcester, he diligently carried out his pastoral duties, ministering to the Catholic community and providing solace and guidance to those in need.
However, Turner's life took a tragic turn due to political and religious tensions prevailing in England at the time. In the midst of the anti-Catholic sentiment that gripped the country, he fell victim to the infamous Titus Oates Plot. This conspiracy falsely accused innocent Catholics of plotting to assassinate King Charles II and overthrow the government.
Arrested on trumped-up charges, Blessed Anthony Turner found himself caught in the snares of an unjust legal system. In a deeply flawed trial, where the rule of law was overshadowed by religious prejudice, he was convicted of treason based on perjured evidence. The trial rules added further injustice by prohibiting any Catholic from being believed in court.
Despite his innocence, Turner was sentenced to death. On June 20, 1679, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, London, joining the ranks of countless Catholic martyrs who bravely bore witness to their faith during this tumultuous period of British history.
Recognizing his unwavering dedication to the Catholic Church and his martyrdom, Pope Pius XI declared Anthony Turner venerable on December 8, 1929, and beatified him just a week later, on December 15, 1929. Today, Blessed Anthony Turner is remembered as a courageous Catholic priest who remained steadfast in his faith despite persecution and injustice, a shining example of devotion and sacrifice for future generations of believers.