38 martyrs killed by the Communist regime beatified in Albania

Some of the Albanian martyrs beatified in Shkoder - RV

05/11/2016 15:10
(Vatican Radio) Thirty-eight martyrs killed between 1945 and 1974 by the Communist regime have been beatified in the city of Shkodër in northwestern Albania.

The ceremony took place in the Square of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

In his homily Cardinal Amato said: “While the persecutors dissolve like so many black shadows which are lost forever in the darkness of eternal oblivion, martyrs are guiding lights that shine in the sky of humanity, showing the true face of man’s goodness, his profound identity created in the image of God”.

The canonical process for the recognition of the martyrdom and the official approval of the witness and sacrifice for the faith culminated in a decree promulgated by Pope Francis in April 2016 which gave the green light for the beatification of the martyrs.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/05/38_martyrs_killed_by_the_communist_regime_beatified_in_alban/1270276