Sunday, March 25, 2007

On to the Final Four

Pope Recalls Martyrdom of Oscar Romero

From Today's Angelus:

Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday recalled the 1980 slaying of El Salvador archbishop and human rights activist Oscar Romero, and praised those who lost their lives in carrying out their mission for the Roman Catholic Church.

Benedict reminded pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that Saturday had been the anniversary of Romero's killing, and that the church had dedicated the day to prayer and fasting for missionary martyrs.

He described they martyrs as "bishops, priests, other men and women clergy and lay people cut down in carrying out their mission of evangelization and human promotion."

Benedict said martyrs represent hope for the world "because they testify that the love of Christ is stronger than violence and hate."

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionaries

From Asia News Italy:

24 misisonaries - clergy, priests and lay readers of different nationalities- were killed last year. Not all of them died because of their faith, many- at least in appearance- were victims of aggression and theft as a result of social context of violence and poverty.