Mass beatification revives memories of Spain's War
The Catholic Church is preparing to beatify 498 of its members killed during the Spanish Civil War, putting them on the path to possible sainthood but reviving memories of a conflict that still divides Spain.
Most of those to be honored at Sunday's ceremony in Rome, the biggest mass beatification ever and to be attended by thousands of Spanish pilgrims, were priests or nuns killed by left-wing militias at the outbreak of the 1936-39 war.
Many Catholic clergy and Church leaders sided with Francisco Franco in the conflict, which began when the general led a military coup against the left-wing government of the then Spanish Republic and ended with his installation as a dictator.
Over decades, the Church in Spain has gathered evidence that hundreds of its members died during the conflict for their faith, making them eligible for beatification. If the devout report miracles linked to praying to them, some could be considered for sainthood, a process which takes many more years.
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Most of those to be honored at Sunday's ceremony in Rome, the biggest mass beatification ever and to be attended by thousands of Spanish pilgrims, were priests or nuns killed by left-wing militias at the outbreak of the 1936-39 war.
Many Catholic clergy and Church leaders sided with Francisco Franco in the conflict, which began when the general led a military coup against the left-wing government of the then Spanish Republic and ended with his installation as a dictator.
Over decades, the Church in Spain has gathered evidence that hundreds of its members died during the conflict for their faith, making them eligible for beatification. If the devout report miracles linked to praying to them, some could be considered for sainthood, a process which takes many more years.