John Fisher
Feast Day: June 22
English bishop executed for refusing Henry VIII's religious authority over Rome.
Patronage
Bishops, theologians, parish priests
Virtues & Traits
Biography
John Fisher (1469-1535) was an English Catholic bishop and theologian of exceptional learning and integrity. As Bishop of Rochester and confessor to Lady Margaret Beaufort, he became a leading theological voice against Martin Luther's reformation. Fisher's courageous opposition to King Henry VIII's divorce and break with Rome, despite immense political pressure, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Church doctrine. Rather than compromise his principles, he endured imprisonment and eventually accepted martyrdom, being executed for his refusal to acknowledge the king's supremacy over the Church. His final years in the Tower of London became a testament to his steadfast faith. Fisher's scholarly works defending Catholic theology and his ultimate sacrifice made him an enduring symbol of episcopal courage and intellectual integrity.