The Vatican (Tuesday, 02-03-2015, Gaudium Press) Pope Francis has authorized that three priest killed by the terrorist group Sendero Lunimoso in Peru, to be declared martyrs.
They are the servants of God Michal Tomaszek (Poland, 1960) and Zbigniew Strazalkowski (Poland, 1958), both priest and members of the order of Friars Minor Conventual.
The third one is Alessandro Dordi (Italy 1931), a diocesan priest. The three were killed in hatred of the faith on 9 and 25 August 1991, in the towns of Pariacoto and Rinconada in Peruvian diocese of Chimbote.
Aware that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians, the Bishop of Chimbote, His Excellency Angel Simon Piorno, told ALETEIA news agency about “his deepest joy for this pontifical recognition that will positively affect the whole Church.”
The prelate highlighted the sacrifice and courageous work of the Church in his diocese during the times of terrorism (1980-1992) and mention the figure of the Jesuit Bishop Luis Bambarén Gastelumendi, who took a courageous behavior which made him lose some of his priests.
It is known that this bishop, now emeritus, was not intimidate by the many death threats he received and had to endure the pain of receiving the dead bodies of his missionaries.
Although the current bishop of Chimbote is waiting for an official document, there are no doubts that preparations for the beatification ceremony will begin soon as a “genuine celebration of faith and life”.
“These wonderful testimonies are a message for the world that there are Christians willing to give their lives for the Gospel, out of love, faith and oblation,” said Bishop Piorno, who is bishop of Chimbote since May 2004.
With information from ALETEIA
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