Pope Francis has formally recognized five Franciscan missionaries killed in what is now Georgia for their faith, clearing the way for their beatification.
Pope Francis has formally recognized that five Franciscan missionaries who served in what is now the U.S. state of Georgia were killed for their faith. By signing a decree in their sainthood cause on January 27, the pope paved the way for their beatification, though a specific date for the ceremony was not immediately announced.
The Spanish Franciscans, Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez de Cuacos, Miguel de Añón, Antonio de Badajoz, and Francisco de Veráscola, were murdered between September 14 and 17, 1597. The killings began when Father de Corpa confronted a young indigenous man, Juanillo, who was heir to a Guale chiefdom, about his intention to take a second wife, which conflicted with Christian teachings. As a baptized Christian, Juanillo was told by Father de Corpa that polygamy was unacceptable.Juanillo, angered by the priest's rebuke, and a group of his men killed Father de Corpa with a stone hatchet at the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tolomato, located near modern-day Eulonia, Georgia. Enraged by the priest's rejection of his customs, Juanillo and his men then targeted the other Franciscan missionaries living and working along the Georgia coast. Bishop Stephen D. Parkes of Savannah, the diocese that encompasses the missions where the five friars were martyred, expressed gratitude to all those who dedicated over 40 years to promoting their sainthood cause. He also offered a prayer for the intercession of Venerable Friar Pedro de Corpa and his companions, hoping they would inspire couples worldwide to embrace the sacrament of marriage with love, truth, and fidelity.The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, in its recounting of the Georgia martyrs' story, emphasized that Father de Corpa not only reprimanded Juanillo for his intention to take a second wife but also warned him that he would oppose his succession as village chief if he persisted in his polygamous choice. The Dicastery also highlighted the missionaries' willingness to sacrifice their lives for Christ, noting that they were aware of the risks and dangers associated with their apostolate, particularly regarding their safety. Driven by a genuine love for Christ and a desire to serve the Church, they accepted the mission to the North American territory.
SAINTHOOD CAUSE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES MARTYRDOM GEORGIA POPE FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH
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