The Vatican presented an international congress on contemporary religious persecutions on September 10, 2026, through the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of this dicastery, highlighted the anthropological and ecumenical dimension of Christian martyrdom during the presentation to journalists.
Cardinal Semeraro mentioned the intention to "create a catalog of all those who shed their blood to confess Christ and witness the Gospel." He also emphasized that the grace of holiness in the Church is not limited to official canonizations, pointing to the "high measure of ordinary Christian life" and to "holiness at the doorstep."
The speech evoked Benedict XVI's thought on suffering and self-giving, recalling that "the capacity to suffer for love of truth is a measure of humanity." The cardinal also highlighted the "ecumenical value" of the project, recalling John Paul II's teaching on the profound communion established among the baptized through the giving of one's own life.
The congress "The 21st century: a new time of martyrs?" is scheduled for September 15 at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome. The press conference featured Bishop Fabio Fabene, president of the Commission for the New Martyrs, and Professor Andrea Riccardi, vice-president. The new commission intends to add to the recognized saints the numerous "documented witnesses" who form the single voice of the Church.
