Fisher, John, St

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Fisher, John, St (1469–1535). Bishop of Rochester and martyr. Though himself a severe critic of standards in the Church, he was a vigorous opponent of Lutheranism. He was eventually imprisoned for refusing to take the oath attached to the Act of Succession on the grounds that it contained an admission of royal supremacy over the Church in England. He was made a cardinal in 1535. He was executed on 17 June that year, and canonized 400 years later. Feast day, 22 June.