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Martyrs of Latin America, 1854-2022

Citation:

McCleary, Rachel M., and Robert J. Barro. “Martyrs of Latin America, 1854-2022.” Fe y Libertad (2022).

Abstract:

Pope John Paul II began the recent trend of beatifying martyrs and confessors of Latin America. Together, Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have beatified 111 martyrs and 53 confessors in Latin America. These numbers represent 87% and 72%, respectively, of all Latin American martyrs and confessors sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church since 1588 when Pope Urban VIII established the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Pope Francis accelerated the rate of beatifications of Latin American blesseds to 5.0 a year as compared to 3.5 for John Paul II and 3.4 for Benedict XVI. These beatifications of Latin American martyrs and confessors must be understood from the perspective of the intended audience, which we view as the Catholic faithful. Specifically, we view this saint-making during the last three papacies as attempts to invigorate the faithful and, thereby, deter conversions into Protestantism.

Last updated on 08/03/2022