VATICAN CITY, DEC. 10, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of martyrdom of six Spanish priests who died during that country’s civil war, and a German priest who was killed in a concentration camp.
The Pope today authorized these decrees of martyrdom, along with five decrees recognizing miracles, and four decrees declaring heroic virtue.
One of those recognized to have gained a miracle through his intercession is already beatified, meaning canonization is just a step away. This is Blessed Guido Maria Conforti, Italian archbishop and founder of the Pious Society of St. Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions (1865-1931).
The other four who gained miracles through their intercession are recognized as Servants of God:
— Francesco Paleari, Italian priest of the «Cottolengo» Institute (1863-1939).
— Anna Maria Janer Anglarill, Spanish founder of the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Family of Urgell (1800-1885).
— Marie Clare of the Child Jesus (born Libania do Carmo Galvao Meixa de Moura Telles e Albuquerque), Portuguese founder of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (1843-1899).
— Dulce (born Maria Rita Lopes Pontes), Brazilian religious of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (1914-1992).
Martyrs
The martyrs recognized by the Pope’s decree are Servants of God:
— Alois Andritzki, German diocesan priest who died in the concentration camp of Dachau (1914-1943).
— Jose Nadal y Guiu (1911-1936) and Jose Jordan y Blecua (1906-1936), Spanish diocesan priests, killed in hatred of the faith during religious persecution in Spain.
— Antonio (born Miguel Faundez Lopez), Spanish professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor (1907-1936) and Bonaventura (born Baltasar Mariano Munoz Martinez) Spanish cleric of the Order of Friars Minor (1912-1936), as well as Pedro Sanchez Barba (1895-1936) and Fulgencio Martinez Garcia (1911-1936), Spanish priests and pastors of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi, killed in hatred of the faith during religious persecution in Spain.
Heroic virtues
Heroic virtues were recognized for the following four people, now Servants of God:
— Antonio Palladino, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (1881-1926).
— Bechara (born Selim Abou-Mourad), Lebanese religious of the Basilian Salvatorian Order of the Melkites (1853-1930).
— Maria Elisa Andreoli, Italian founder of the Congregation of Reparatrix Sisters Servants of Mary (1861-1935).
— Maria Pilar of the Sacred Heart (born Maria Pilar Solsona Lamban), Spanish religious of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Religious of Pious Schools (1881-1966).
