Church documents 304 martyrs in Latin America killed this century
The Catholic Church has documented 304 martyrs in Latin America this century, murdered for defending the poor, confronting organized crime, and protecting creation.
TL;DR
- The Catholic Church has documented 304 martyrs in Latin America this century.
- These martyrs were killed for professing their faith, defending the poor, confronting organized crime, and protecting creation.
- Their stories are part of a global Vatican catalog of martyrs, exceeding 1,700 documented cases.
- Reasons for martyrdom include drug trafficking, deforestation, and opposition to illegal resource exploitation.
- The individuals often became 'inconvenient' to those controlling illicit activities.
- A Vatican conference, 'The 21st Century: A New Era of Martyrs?', was held to discuss these testimonies.
- The Commission for New Martyrs continues to gather testimonies to preserve the memory of Christians killed for their faith.
- Between 100 and 150 new testimonies were added in the last year, indicating the phenomenon remains active.
- The Church recognizes holiness beyond formal canonization, exemplified by the beatification of Floribert Bwana Chui.
- The project has an ecumenical dimension, a characteristic sought by Saint John Paul II.