John Roche (martyr)
Irish Roman Catholic martyr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Roche (also known as John Neele or Neale) was a Catholic martyr, born in Ireland, who died in London, England on 30 August 1588.[1]
Tyburn, London
Blessed John Roche | |
|---|---|
Statue of John Roche in the church of St Etheldreda, Ely Place, London | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | Ireland |
| Died | 30 August 1588 Tyburn, London |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Feast | 30 August |
| Patronage | sailors, mariners, boatmen |
Life
He helped Margaret Ward arrange the escape of Richard Watson from Bridewell Prison when the boatman she had originally asked to help her refused to do so.[2] Roche exchanged clothes with the prisoner and was arrested in his place.[3] Offered his freedom if he would ask Queen Elizabeth I's pardon and promise to attend a Protestant church, he refused, and was hanged at Tyburn, London on 30 August 1588, along with Ward, Edward Shelley, Richard Martin, and Richard Leigh and Richard Lloyd (alias Flower).[4]
Veneration
Pope Pius XI beatified Roche in 1929. A school in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was named after him.
Iconography
Usually shown in working-class Elizabethan dress and holding an oar or a miniature boat, he is the patron of sailors, mariners and boatmen.
