The Dicastery of the Causes of Saints has issued a decree on Monday 27, 2025 acknowledging that five Spanish Franciscans were martyred “in odium fidei” (“in hatred of the faith”) in 1597, particularly for defending the sanctity of marriage.
Pope Francis has officially acknowledged that these five Franciscan missionaries were martyred for their faith and cleared the way for their beatification.
These Spanish Franciscans Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez de Cuacos, Miguel de Añón, Antonio de Badajoz, and Francisco de Veráscola were martyred between September 14 and 17, 1597. The reason for the killing was that Fr Pedro Corpa had confrolted a young man from the Tribe taking a second wife. Recounting the story of the Georgia martyrs on its website, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, said Father de Corpa not only “reprimanded” Juanillo for taking a second wife, but also “told him that he would oppose his succession as village chief if he persisted in his polygamous choice.”
“May Venerable Friar Pedro de Corpa and Companions intercede for families everywhere, and inspire husbands and wives around the world to live out the sacrament of marriage with love, truth, and fidelity,” the bishop wrote in a statement Jan. 27.