# Benjamin Petre

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**Benjamin Petre** (10 August 1672 – 22 December 1758) was an [English Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church_in_England_and_Wales) prelate who served as [Vicar Apostolic of the London District](/source/Vicar_Apostolic_of_the_London_District) from 1734 until his death.

## Life

He was born the son of John Petre (1617–1690) of Fidlers or Fithlers, [Essex](/source/Essex) (who was a younger brother of [William Petre](/source/William_Petre) the translator), by his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Pincheon of [Writtle](/source/Writtle). He was educated at the [English College, Douai](/source/English_College,_Douai), and, after being admitted to the priesthood, became tutor to [Lord Derwentwater](/source/Lord_Derwentwater), who was subsequently beheaded for treason.

He was consecrated [titular bishop](/source/Titular_bishop) of [Prusa](/source/Prussia_(region)) on 11 November 1721, and appointed [coadjutor bishop](/source/Coadjutor_bishop) with right of succession [Bonaventure Giffard](/source/Bonaventure_Giffard), at that time vicar apostolic of the London district. Although the [penal laws](/source/Penal_law_(British)) 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 for [Richard Challoner](/source/Richard_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 of [British America](/source/British_America). However, responsibility had been "de facto" held by the English Province of the [Society of Jesus](/source/Society_of_Jesus). When the [Curia](/source/Roman_Curia) 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 in [St Edmund's College, Ware](/source/St_Edmund's_College,_Ware). He was succeeded by Challoner.

## References

1. [*Catholic Magazine and Review*](https://books.google.com/books?id=QaZCAQAAMAAJ&dq=Vicar+Benjamin+Petre&pg=PA654). R.P. Stone. 1831.

1. Murphy, Terrence & Stortz, Gerald (1993-02-18). [*Creed and Culture: The Place of English-Speaking Catholics in Canadian Society, 1750-1930*](https://books.google.com/books?id=GVYBBAAAQBAJ&dq=Vicar+Benjamin+Petre&pg=PA102). McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-6367-4.

1. Vissani, O.S.F., Charles A., "Summary of the Catholic Religion in the English colonies in America", *United States Catholic Historical Magazine*, Vol. 2, United States Catholic Historical Society., 1888, p. 211]

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