'New Martyrs Commission' in first phase of work

By Vatican News

Last Thursday, the "New Martyrs - Witnesses of the Faith Commission" met at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints under whose aegis it operates at Pope Francis' request, in order to make its mandate operative in view of the Jubilee of 2025.

According to a note from the Holy See Press Office, the survey of Christian victims and the offering of their lives by lay people, pastors, consecrated men and women will make use of the efforts already made by Fides and other agencies, but also of new research, assisted by the bishops, religious congregations, and those who guard the memory of these Christians.

The memorial service to be rendered in this first phase will concern Christians whose lives were cut short or given in various ways in obedience to the Gospel, in the time span from the year 2000 to the present.

There are currently over 550 witnesses whose circumstances of death and their service to the Church and God's people are known. A website has now been set up to accompany the work of the Commission and provide some essential information.

Commitment and methodology

The lines of commitment and methodology were outlined. Synergies external to the members of the Commission were also envisaged, particularly with regard to the reconstruction of the continental, regional, and national contexts in which the outpouring of blood and the gift of life took place. The contribution of many of the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches was recalled, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Asia.

The ecumenical value of martyrdom in a broad sense and the need to take into account the richness of the witness offered by Christians of other confessions was also recalled.

The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, in the person of the President of the Commission, Archbishop Fabio Fabene, provided the Commission with the necessary instruments to carry out the task assigned to it (human and technical resources).

Light of Hope

Together with the vice-president, Professor Andrea Riccardi, previous research has been revisited, drawing suggestions for future research. 

"In a spirit of cooperation, we are therefore preparing to enter into the heart of the reconnaissance and encounter with these witnesses, whose life and death are marked by the Gospel, love for the weakest, the search for peace, and the painful confrontation with multiple evil designs, without however ever abandoning faith in the good," read the statement. "They constitute a light of hope and a humble but eloquent voice calling to the supreme good of life, to the unity of the human family, to the unarmed strength of Christians."