William Filby (Roman Catholic priest)

William Filby (died 1582) was an English Roman Catholic priest and martyr. He was ordained in Reims, France, and returned to England to minister to Catholics during a time of persecution under Queen Elizabeth I. He was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually executed for treason, specifically for being a Catholic priest in England, which was outlawed at the time. He is considered one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970. His feast day is celebrated on May 4th. He was executed at Tyburn. His work involved traveling in secret, offering Mass, hearing confessions, and providing spiritual support to the Catholic community, risking his own life in doing so. He is remembered for his devotion to his faith and his willingness to die for it.