Martyrdom Archives

These priests were martyred for refusing to violate the seal of confession
- Catholic News Agency, Global Church
- August 23, 2017
Priests take the solemnity of the seal of confession very seriously; these four priests who died protecting it are witnesses to the extreme lengths to which priests are willing to go to protect the seal of confession.
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Cardinal calls Salvadorans to reflect on true meaning of martyrdom
- Catholic News Service, Global Church
- August 11, 2017
Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvador says the real martyrs of El Salvador are Blessed Oscar Romero, “the assassinated priests and the four U.S. women — three religious and a laywoman — whose lives were taken in December 1980,” referring to Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford and Maura Clarke, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan, a laywoman.
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Why Father Jacques Hamel’s legacy belongs to the whole Church
- Analysis
- July 27, 2017
Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the slaying of Father Jacques Hamel in Normandy, France, on July 26, 2016. Today Hamel is a candidate for sainthood, and there are several powerful reasons why his legacy is important – among them, he’s a reminder that old-school martyrdom still occurs in the here-and-now, and that even the simplest believers are capable of great heroism when push comes to shove.
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Sister of martyred French priest says he’s now a ‘brother to all’

One year ago today, 85-year-old French Father Jacques Hamel was brutally slain while saying Mass in his small parish in Normandy. Today, his sister says Hamel has become a “brother to all,” and also stubbornly professes hope, both for Christian/Muslim coexistence in France and even for newly elected French President Emanuelle Macron, who will be at Hamel’s anniversary Mass.

Father Jacques Hamel’s martyrdom and Church unity in France

It is the one-year anniversary of the murder of Father Jacques Hamel outside of Rouen, France. The extraordinary response to Hamel’s martyrdom throughout France has been one of unity and an abiding belief that his sacrifice would yield a greater good for both the Church and the country.

Pope Francis creates new path to beatification under ‘offering of life’

Pope Francis has legislated a new path to sainthood, saying “they are worthy of special consideration and honor, those Christians who, following in the footsteps and teachings of the Lord Jesus, have voluntarily and freely offered their lives for others and have persevered until death in this regard.”