Martyrdom
The Latest
Seven 20th-century Romanian bishops declared martyrs
Pope Francis declared Tuesday the martyrdom of seven Greek-Catholic bishops killed by the communist regime in Romania in the mid-20th... Read more
Jesus' coming is an invitation to conversion, Pope Francis says
On Tuesday Pope Francis said there is a strong link between the death of St. Stephan, the Church's first martyr,... Read more
Sixty Vincentians martyred during Spanish Civil War to be beatified
Next Saturday 60 members of the Vincentian Order who were martyred during the Spanish Civil War will be beatified at... Read more
In a grandmother’s dress, the hidden story of a Ukrainian priest’s martyrdom
Dr. George Isajiw, the grandson of a slain Ukrainian priest, always knew that his grandfather was martyred by the Soviet... Read more
Remember the witness of your martyrs, Pope tells Japanese bishops
In a letter to Japanese bishops, Pope Francis urges his brother prelates to use the example of their country's martyrs... Read more
Here's what Benedict XVI's former students will discuss next month
The persecution and martyrdom of Christians will be the topic of discussion at an annual gathering of Pope Benedict XVI’s... Read more
Pope Francis: The way of Christ is the way of persecution
On Wednesday Pope Francis said that following Christ means taking a path contrary to that of the world, and being... Read more
Lithuania's first Soviet-era martyr to be beatified
A Soviet-era priest and bishop who continually defied communist rule and spent much of his ministry in prison will be... Read more
This priest and three companions were killed for the faith in Iraq
When Fr. Ragheed Aziz Ganni was confronted by armed men after celebrating the Eucharist at his Chaldean Catholic parish in... Read more
The murder case of Blessed Oscar Romero has been reopened
A nearly 40 year-old murder case was reopened this week to properly prosecute the suspected killer behind the Salvadorian archbishop's... Read more
Modern martyrs exemplify true Christian unity, Pope says
In a speech to Catholic and Oriental Orthodox leaders, Pope Francis pointed, as he often does, to the example of... Read more
Father Stanley Rother: The first US-born martyr
Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of Father Stanley Rother, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who served... Read more
Pope Francis calls murdered French priest blessed
On Wednesday Pope Francis said Fr. Jacques Hamel, who was killed by supporters of the Islamic State while saying Mass... Read more
Campaign will help 1,000 seminarians in honor of murdered French priest
A Catholic charity is launching a campaign to support the studies of 1,000 seminarians around the world in honor of... Read more
This layman who refuted Nazism was declared a martyr by Pope Francis
On Friday Pope Francis moved eight martyrs a step further on the path to sainthood, one of whom is Josef... Read more
Christian persecution extends beyond genocide, Pope says
In a wide-ranging question and answer session on Saturday, Pope Francis said it is “reductionism” to describe the violence against... Read more
Persecution of Christians can have a polite disguise, Pope Francis warns
Pope Francis on Tuesday reflected on the “polite persecution” of Christians that takes away their freedom in the disguise of... Read more
Pope: murdered Missionaries of Charity are martyrs of indifference
On Sunday Pope Francis lamented the world’s indifference to the recent killing of four Missionaries of Charity, calling them the... Read more
For Pope Francis, unity of martyrdom is stronger than Christian divisions
Despite the numerous divisions among Christians today, the followers of Christ are powerfully united in the witness of martyrdom across... Read more
Pope Francis: Get ready to be martyrs – even in the little things
Pope Francis centered his homily for Monday's daily Mass on the “scandal of the cross,” saying Christians should turn to... Read more
