Martyred Spanish priest who died protecting seal of confession to be named “Blessed”

Mar 29, 2007 / 09:38 am

The Holy See is moving ahead with the cause of beatification of Father Felipe Ciscar Puig, a Spanish priest who was martyred during the persecution of 1936 for protecting the seal of confession.

In statements to the AVAN news agency, the vice postulator of the cause, Father Benjamin Agullo, said Father Puig “is considered a martyr of the sacramental seal as he was shot for refusing to reveal the confession of a Franciscan priest who was himself executed.”

Francisco Father Andres Ivars asked to go to confession when he was in prison in August of 1936, suspecting that his execution was near.  “At that moment Ciscar was brought to the same prison. After the confession, they tried to get him to reveal the contents and in response to his denial to do so, the militants threatened to kill him,” Father Agullo said.

Since he remained unmoved, his captors organized a mock trial and condemned him to death.  Both Father Agullo and Father Ivars were driven by car to another location and were executed on September 8, 1936, the vice postulator of the cause explained.

Father Puig studied at the Seminary of Valencia and was ordained a priest in 1888.  After serving as pastor in various parishes, he served as chaplain for the Augustinian Sisters of Denia.

Fathers Ciscar and Ivars are part the cause of canonization of the Servants of God Ricardo Pelufo Esteve and 43 companions, including 36 Franciscans.