Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - "You are the Light of the World", is the title of a statement issued by the Spanish Bishops at the end of a recent plenary assembly to announce the beatification in Rome in the Autumn of 498 Spanish martyrs who gave the lives for love of Christ during religious persecution in the 1930s. The Bishops say this Beatification will be "an occasion of grace for the Church and society in Spain", profoundly necessary in the country where there is a "spreading secular mentality and national harmony seems threatened”.
These martyrs "are above the tragic circumstances which led to their death", the statement reads “their beatification intends first of all the render glory to God for the faith which conquers the world". Martyrdom, the Bishop continue "is the most authentic sign of the Church of Jesus Christ: a Church formed of men and women, fragile and sinful but able to bear witness to strong faith and unconditioned love even more than life itself for Jesus Christ ". All 500 will be remembered in one celebration but they have traits in common: "They were men and women of faith and prayer devoted to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary; they were apostles who courageously professed the faith; readily comforted and sustained the prison companions; steadfast when maltreated and tortured; they forgave their persecutors and pray for them; at the moment of sacrifice, the demonstrated serenity and profound peace, they praised God and proclaimed Christ as the One Lord”.
In view of the beatification the Bishops are organising a national pilgrimage to Rome: "In Rome where there are the tombs of Peter and Paul who were martyred and those of many other early Christian martyrs we will render glory to God for Spain's newly Blessed Dio ”.
During the plenary the Bishops approved a document entitled "The Catholic School. The Spanish Church's Contribution in the 21 Century", and they also expressed concern for the situation of immigrants in Spain an issue on which they are preparing a document. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2007 righe 25 parole 258)
