In an informative piece at CNA, Nicolás de Cárdenas writes of upcoming canonizations of martyrs from the Spanish Civil War and the religious persecution that preceded it. In the piece — Another 4,000 20th-century martyrs in Spain will be beatified in coming years, expert says — we learn the following:
- The Church has already beatified 3,500 martyrs from the 20th-century religious persecution in Spain, with plans to beatify an additional 4,000 in the coming years.
- Father José Carlos Martín de la Hoz, an expert in the beatification process, anticipates completing this work within four years, resulting in a total of 7,500 martyrs.
- The martyrs’ persecution is rooted in the liberal movements of the 19th century, beginning with the Cortes of Cadiz in 1812, which led to violent conflicts against the Church.
- The Spanish Civil War was a culmination of these tensions, with religious persecution being a significant aspect.
- The book Homes of Love and Forgiveness II highlights testimonies of 23 families who showed dedication and fidelity, even to the point of martyrdom.
- A notable example of forgiveness is Hermenegildo Chillón Cabrera, who forgave his executioners before his martyrdom in 1936.
- His nephew, Luis García Chillón, emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the absence of hatred or resentment in their family.
- The memory of these martyrs is seen as a means to help rebuild a united society, with their stories serving as powerful examples of faith and forgiveness.
There is one paragraph from Nicolás de Cárdenas’ piece that deserves to be quoted in full. The quote comes from Father José Carlos Martín de la Hoz:
During the 19th century, “the progressive liberals and the conservative liberals alternated being in power, but in the end what unites them is a very violent persecution against the Church. It’s as if all the Enlightenment and the French Revolution that had happened in central Europe suddenly appeared in Spain.”
This particular political binary — “progressive liberals” and “conservative liberals” — will make little sense to most Americans, as liberalism is the foundation of our Republic. If you were confused by the reference, do yourself the favor of reading and studying, “Liberalism: An Evil Defined.” There is much more to learn, but that is a good start.
Here are some pieces on this site about the Spanish Civil War and related subjects:
- Spain’s Crusade, 1936-39, by Gary Potter
- The Good Will Be Martyred: Portraits of Sanctity from the Spanish Civil War, by Sister Maria Philomena, M.I.C.M.
- Forty Years After Franco’s Death, by Gary Potter
- Valle De Los Caidos: Grand Monument to the Dead, by Eleonore Villarrubia
- Bella Dodd — From Communist to Catholic, by Eleonore Villarrubia
- Hamish Fraser — Lion of Christ the King, by Eleonore Villarrubia
- Dios, Patria, Fueros, y Rey: The Story Of The Spanish Carlistas, by Eleonore Villarrubia
- Spanish Carlism: An Introduction, by Prof. Miguel Ayuso Torres
