BLESSED Thomas WHITAKER

BLESSED Thomas WHITAKER (alias STARKIE) was born , the son of a schoolmaster in Burnley, Lancashire. He studied for the priesthood as St. Omer and VALLADOLID, where he was ordained priest in 1638.

For 5 years he worked on the Mission in Lancashire. He was finaly arrested and jailed for 2 years during the Civil War. He was condemned to death for being a priest and along with Blessed Edward BAMBER and Blessed John WOODCOCK was hung, drawn and quartered at Lancaster on 7th August 1646.

Pope John Paul II beatified him, on the 22nd of November 1987.