an American martyr for today's Church
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Nov 12, 2010
Tomorrow, November 13, marks the 8th anniversary of the brutal killing of Mary Stachowicz.
Free eBook:
|
| Free eBook: Liturgical Year 2023-2024, Vol. 4 |
Three years ago I suggested that the Chicago archdiocese should open a cause for her beatification. Bishop Thomas Paprocki, who knew her personally, has testified that "she died as a martyr for her faith." Read the whole story, if you aren't familiar with the case already, and see if you don't agree that she was murdered in odium fidei.
Her death was awful. But the suffering of Mary Stachowicz ended 8 years ago. Today, many thousands of Catholics could draw courage from her heroic witness-- if they heard about it.
Pass it on.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: wojo425627 -
Nov. 13, 2010 7:57 AM ET USA
I'm not sure about this. After reading phils linked story and the wikipedia entry for Mary it doesn't seem to fit the description of martyr in John hardons dictionary. He says a martyr is one Who chooses to suffer, even to die, rather than rather than renounce His or her faith or Christian principles. Also that the person doesn't resist their persecutor when they use violence out of malice or hatred for Christ, his church or some revealed truth of the catholic religion.
-
Posted by: dqualk -
Nov. 12, 2010 6:48 PM ET USA
She is a martyr no doubt! I hope the Church will recongnize her martyrdom soon.
