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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Ceremony for a martyred saint | Ceremony for a martyred saint |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| The spot where a Roman Catholic priest was arrested before being hanged, drawn and quartered because of his faith has been marked over three centuries on. | The spot where a Roman Catholic priest was arrested before being hanged, drawn and quartered because of his faith has been marked over three centuries on. |
| David Lewis was sentenced to death in 1679 after he was caught carrying out Catholic services at a time when it was considered high treason. | |
| He had been arrested near Llantarnam Abbey near Cwmbran a year earlier. | He had been arrested near Llantarnam Abbey near Cwmbran a year earlier. |
| He was made a martyred saint in 1970, and 328 years to the day of his arrest, a plaque has been erected at the spot. | He was made a martyred saint in 1970, and 328 years to the day of his arrest, a plaque has been erected at the spot. |
| Sister Celsus from Llantarnam Abbey has researched the history of Saint David Lewis, who was the last Catholic martyr of mainland Britain. | Sister Celsus from Llantarnam Abbey has researched the history of Saint David Lewis, who was the last Catholic martyr of mainland Britain. |
| It was totally forbidden by the Crown but he would go all over Monmouthshire saying mass whenever he could because people still wanted it Sister Celsus, Llantarnam Abbey | It was totally forbidden by the Crown but he would go all over Monmouthshire saying mass whenever he could because people still wanted it Sister Celsus, Llantarnam Abbey |
| "He was a Catholic priest and a Jesuit, at the time of the persecution of the Catholic Church when it was treason to be a priest and to say mass," she explained. | "He was a Catholic priest and a Jesuit, at the time of the persecution of the Catholic Church when it was treason to be a priest and to say mass," she explained. |
| But despite the threat of a death sentence, David Lewis travelled around south Wales for 30 years saying mass to those who wanted it. | But despite the threat of a death sentence, David Lewis travelled around south Wales for 30 years saying mass to those who wanted it. |
| On the day of his arrest, he was going to mass at Llantarnam Abbey, which at the time was in private ownership. | On the day of his arrest, he was going to mass at Llantarnam Abbey, which at the time was in private ownership. |
| "Every Sunday morning he would come here," said Sister Celsus. | "Every Sunday morning he would come here," said Sister Celsus. |
| "It was totally forbidden by the Crown but he would go all over Monmouthshire saying mass whenever he could because people still wanted it. | "It was totally forbidden by the Crown but he would go all over Monmouthshire saying mass whenever he could because people still wanted it. |
| "He was a very brave man," she added. | "He was a very brave man," she added. |
| Never forgotten | Never forgotten |
| On 17 November 1678 as he prepared to leave for mass from a local blacksmith, officials from the government arrested David Lewis who had items needed to carry out mass in his possession. | On 17 November 1678 as he prepared to leave for mass from a local blacksmith, officials from the government arrested David Lewis who had items needed to carry out mass in his possession. |
| Just under a year later, on 27 August at Usk, he was executed after being condemned as a Roman Catholic priest who said mass. | Just under a year later, on 27 August at Usk, he was executed after being condemned as a Roman Catholic priest who said mass. |
| He was one of 40 martyrs of the time and his sacrifice has never been forgotten by those at the abbey. | He was one of 40 martyrs of the time and his sacrifice has never been forgotten by those at the abbey. |
| A plaque marking the spot is to be unveiled in a ceremony at the former blacksmith which is now known as The Old Post Office on Saturday. | A plaque marking the spot is to be unveiled in a ceremony at the former blacksmith which is now known as The Old Post Office on Saturday. |
| Brian McDowell of Cwmbran Historical Society said: "I'm very pleased this plaque is being put up, let's just say history is being recorded." | Brian McDowell of Cwmbran Historical Society said: "I'm very pleased this plaque is being put up, let's just say history is being recorded." |
| Councillor John Cunningham added: "It's something that has been long overdue that we do something for Saint David Lewis. | Councillor John Cunningham added: "It's something that has been long overdue that we do something for Saint David Lewis. |
| "After all he is a Cwmbran saint and I'm really thrilled about it." | "After all he is a Cwmbran saint and I'm really thrilled about it." |
| Local MP and former Welsh and Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy, who has had an interest in him for many years, also added his support. | Local MP and former Welsh and Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy, who has had an interest in him for many years, also added his support. |
| The dedication service was held at The Old Post Office opposite Llantarnam church on Saturday. | The dedication service was held at The Old Post Office opposite Llantarnam church on Saturday. |