CADWALLADOR, ROGER, BL.

Priest, martyr; alias Rogers; b. 1562–1568 at Stretton Sugwas, Herefordshire, England; d. Aug. 27, 1610, hanged, drawn, and quartered at Leominster under James I. After completing his studies at Rheims (1592) and the English College at Valladolid, he was ordained priest (1593). Returning to England in 1594, he labored zealously in Herefordshire for about 16 years. Cadwallador translated Theodoret's Philotheus, or the lives of the Fathers of the Syrian deserts.

He and Bl. Robert drury were among the priests signing the loyal address of Jan. 21, 1603, in response to which the government issued the Oath of Allegiance, which was problematic for Catholics. Thereafter he was a marked man, but the authorities did not capture him until Easter Day, 1610, when he was arrested in the home of the widow Winefride Scroope.

At first he was imprisoned at Hereford in irons; then he was forced to walk in shackles to Leominster prison, where he received further mistreatment before his death. A full account of his torture and martyrdom is given by Challoner. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 22, 1987 with George Haydock and Companions.

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). knox, First and Second Diaries of English College, Douai (London 1878). j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891). d. de yepes, Historia Particular de la persecución de Inglaterra (Madrid 1599).

[k. i. rabenstein]