Dibdale, Robert, Bl.

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DIBDALE, ROBERT, BL.

Priest and martyr; b. Shottery, Warwickshire (or Worcestershire), England, c. 1558; d. hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, Oct. 8, 1586. Dibdale studied and was ordained at Douai or Rheims (1584), then returned to England to work in the London area. He practiced exorcisms at the home of Sir George Peckham in Denham, where he had been chaplain until a raid in June of 1586. Dibdale then served as chaplain to Richard Bold, who had just settled at Harlesford in order to withdraw from the anti-Catholic life at Elizabeth's Court. Dibdale was tracked down, arrested, tried in the company of Bl. John amias, and condemned for his priesthood. Anthony (Dean) Champney, an eyewitness to his execution, left an account of his martyrdom. Dibdale 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). j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891). d. de yepes, Historia Particular de la persecución de Inglaterra (Madrid 1599).

[k. i. rabenstein]