Posted on 06/27/2015 11:09:14 AM PDT by marshmallow
Fr. Stanley Rother Could Become First Beatified Martyr from the United States
A Theological Commission of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints has recognized the martyrdom of Fr. Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma.
According to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the vote is a crucial step in advancing his cause of Beatification. If beatified, Fr. Stanley Rother would be the first Catholic martyr and priest from the United States to receive such recognition.
Fr. Rother, a native of Okarche and a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, was murdered by an unknown assailant on July 28th, 1981. At the time, he was serving as pastor at the parish of Santiago Atitlan in Guatemala. Despite receiving death threats, he chose to return to his mission. Ten other priests were killed that same year in Guatemala.
The Theological Commission, which was made up of 9 theologians, discussed the case. A majority vote determined that Fr. Rother died in odium fidei (in hatred of the faith).
(Excerpt) Read more at zenit.org ...
Thank you Father Rother for following God’s will and becoming a martyr for our faith.
God be with you.
He may be the first, but he won’t be the last.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.