Monday, December 13, 2010

German, six Spaniards to be made saints soon: Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI will beatify a German priest killed by the Nazis and six Spaniards who died during their country's Civil War, opening the path for their canonisation, the Vatican said Friday.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church authorised the panel which oversees the process that leads to making saints to publish the documents that recognise their martyrdom.

The six Spaniards -- two priests and four Franciscan monks -- were killed "out of hatred of their faith" in 1936 while German priest Alois Andritzki died at Dachau concentration camp in 1943, a Vatican statement said.

They are part of a group of 16 people whose miracles, martyrdom or heroic acts were recognised by the pope in the latest such decision.

SIC: EXP/DE