George Beesley

George Beesley (or Bisley) (born c. 1562 at The Hill in Goosnargh parish, Lancashire, England; died 2 July 1591) was an English Roman Catholic diocesan priest. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified in 1987 as one of the Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales.

Life

Blessed George Beesley was born into a Catholic family in a farmhouse that is now the presbytery for St. Francis, Hill Chapel. With the church taken over by the newly established religion, the area Catholics held services in private homes. The Beesleys were frequently fined for not attending the official church.

George was ordained at the English College, Rheims, France for the diocese of Lancaster on 14 March 1587. On November 1, 1588, he went back to England. His younger brother, Richard, also became a priest. along with Montford Scott under the statute of 27 Eliz. (Jesuits, etc. Act 1584 ). His last words were "Good people, I beseech God to send all felicity". His feast day is 1 July.