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The Right Reverend Benjamin Petre | |
|---|---|
| Vicar Apostolic of the London District | |
| Appointed | 23 June 1721 (Coadjutor) |
| Installed | 12 March 1734 |
| Term ended | 22 December 1758 |
| Predecessor | Bonaventure Giffard |
| Successor | Richard Challoner |
| Other post | Titular Bishop of Prusa |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 11 Nov 1721 by Bonaventure Giffard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1672-08-10)August 10, 1672 |
| Died | 22 December 1758(1758-12-22) (aged 86) |
| Nationality | English |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Benjamin Petre (10 August 1672 – 22 December 1758) was anEnglish Catholic prelate who served asVicar Apostolic of the London District from 1734 until his death.
He was born the son of John Petre (1617–1690) of Fidlers or Fithlers,Essex (who was a younger brother ofWilliam Petre the translator), by his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Pincheon ofWrittle. He was educated at theEnglish College, Douai, and, after being admitted to the priesthood, became tutor toLord Derwentwater, who was subsequently beheaded for treason.
He was consecratedtitular bishop ofPrusa on 11 November 1721, and appointedcoadjutor bishop with right of successionBonaventure Giffard, at that time vicar apostolic of the London district. Although thepenal laws were no longer enforced with extreme rigor, the life of many Catholic priests was still a difficult one, especially in London. On Gifford's death on 12 March 1734, he succeeded to the vicariate. In 1739, Petre asked forRichard Challoner as coadjutor; and Challoner was duly consecrated in January 1741.[1]
Petre believed that as vicar apostolic of the London District, he had jurisdiction over all ofBritish America. However, responsibility had been "de facto" held by the English Province of theSociety of Jesus. When theCuria discovered there had been no formal designation, it forwarded the documents to Petre,[2] in January 1757.[3]
Petre resided chiefly at Fidlers. He was buried inSt Edmund's College, Ware. He was succeeded by Challoner.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: "Petre, Benjamin".Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Vicar Apostolic of the London District 1734–1758 | Succeeded by |
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