"SOLEMN BEATIFICATION AND CANONISATION OF 13 PASTORS, MARTYRS OF THE COMMUNIST PERSECUTION IN SPAIN.  WITH CERTAIN THOUGHTS AS WELL REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE ANTIPOPE JOHN PAUL I."

We, Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Servant of the Servants of God, Patriarch of Palmar de Troya.

We as Universal Doctor of the Church, assisted by the light of the Holy Ghost, comprehending the sense of the Church, and examining the historical facts, solemnly declare and proclaim:

We elevate today, with jubilation, to the glory of the altars, through solemn beatification and canonisation, 13 Spanish Bishops, martyred for God and for Spain during the period known as the Religious Persecution, by the communists during the Holy Crusade.

We today raise to the altars the following martyrs, namely:

  1.  Don Eustaquio Nieto Martin, Bishop of Siguenza. 

  2.  Padre Silvio Huix Miralpeix, Bishop of Lerida.

  3.  D. Cruz Laplana Laguna, Bishop of Cuena.

  4.  D. Florencio Ansensio Barroso, Bishop of Barbastro.

  5.  D. Miguel Serra Sucarrats, Bishop of Segorbe.

  6.  D. Manuel Basulto Jimenez, Bishop of Jaen.

  7.  D. Manuel Borras Ferrer, Auxiliary Bishop of Tarragona.

  8.  D. Narciso de Estenaga y Echevarria, Bishop of Ciudad Real.

  9.  D. Diego Ventaja Milan, Bishop of Almeria.

 10.  D. Manuel Medina Olmos, Bishop of Guadix.

 11.  D. Manuel Irurita Almandoz, Bishop of Barcelona.

 12.  D. Anselmo Polanco y Fontecha, Bishop of Teruel.

 13.  D. Juan de Dios Ponce y Pozo, Administrador Apostolico de Orihuela.

      We wish to explain that the name corresponding to number 13, is not that of a consecrated Bishop; however, he is numbered among the Pastors for discharging the office of Apostolic Administrator of a diocese.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, give assurance of the sanctity and heroic virtue of these 13 martyred Pastors. They were always animated by an authentic spirit of prayer, penance, mortification, and so forth.  These thirteen Pastors sealed their heroic and holy lives with the palm of martyrdom.  Facing their murderers, they preferred to confess Christ and to sacrifice their lives, as holocausts for God, for the Catholic Faith, and for the Nation.  Without doubt, these men could have found the opportunity to save their lives by renouncing their Catholic faith, or by co-existing with marxist doctrine.  These glorious saints gave example of heroic sanctity and splendid courage.  We know that these Pastors, during those bitter years of Marxist imperialism in Spain, in many occasions in their dioceses, preached against marxist doctrine, in accordance with the condemnations pronounced by the Supreme Pontiffs.

Very beloved children: we wish that you, with deep humility, would study to see what took place under the satanic 2nd Spanish Republic. The Most Holy Virgin Mary, singular Protectress of Spain, came to the defence of this Catholic nation, raising up the magnificent Caudillo, whom you all know as Generalisimo Franco, now Saint Francisco.  To this providential man were joined all the Catholic forces of Spain, in a holy Crusade against communism.

We feel deep sorrow seeing how the majority of the nations, during many years, censured and criticised Saint Francisco Franco and the Holy Crusade of Spain.  If we examine the reasons, without doubt we shall have to say this:  We can understand the nations that attacked or criticised the Holy Caudillo, since, doubtless, those nations never suffered in their own flesh the cursed and diabolic marxist tyranny.

We say this to the world; all good Catholics of the world ought to have pious veneration for Saint Francisco Franco, who was firm with the whip against marxism, and against other diabolical sects in defence of the Catholic Faith.

This day, with great solemnity, We adorn the Holy Church of God by raising to the glory of the altars these 13 martyred Pastors.  There is no doubt, the blood shed by these martyrs will be a splendid seed producing abundant fruit during the epoch which is ours to live.  An admirable thing for every Catholic is the heroic death of Bishops.  Do not forget, the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles.  Therefore it is beautifully in harmony that the Bishops suffer martyrdom, as did the majority of the Apostles.  We wish to say this to all the faithful: beloved children, that glorious time of the Holy Spanish Crusade against communism surely is to be envied.  Unfortunately, the present time does not resemble that time, since today's Bishops, instead of condemning marxism, are the friends of the communists.  Without doubt, the majority of the Spanish Bishops of the hour are guilty of the communist triumph in Spain, since they do not raise their voices as Pastors against communism.  The Catholics of today, it can safely be said, the majority of them, are Catholic only in name; since being on familiar terms with communists, they have betrayed Christ.  Familiarity between Christianity and Communism is inadmissible, since they are mutually contradictory doctrines.  Christianity represents Christ, and communism represents antichrist.

We exhort all the faithful to implore the intercession of the Holy Martyrs whom today we have raised to the altars, that they might serve as exemplary models for organizing another Holy Crusade against Communism.

We desire to use the present Document in order to mention certain things for the faithful.  Two days ago, the Antipope John Paul I died, without having left any example of sanctity or heroic virtue.  He died alone, without the company which, with reason, is to be found near the Supreme Pontiff at the moment of passage to the presence of God.  John Paul I died, without the assistance of the Last Sacraments.

We wish to say to the whole Church, that the Antipope John Paul I died as he had lived, with his back to God.  We bid all traditionalists to make a profound meditation considering the manner of the sudden death of the Antipope John Paul I.  There is no doubt, this sudden death is a special sign that God has given for humble reflection.  His election was followed by a confusion of smoke, which told the world that he had not been elected by God. His short pontificate of 33 days has left in mind no exemplary path for the Church to follow.  The Antipope John Paul I had not left any written document for the guidance of the faithful.  His discourses have been fatuous and spiritually empty.  In his discourses, he extolled figures representing every kind of heresy.  The majority of his discourses were full of silly and stupid anecdotes, improper for the Vicar of Christ, who, above all ought to be a Doctor, in order to guide the Church.

We wish to remark for those traditionalists who were surprised when the Lord elected us as Supreme Pontiff with the name of Gregory XVII, corresponding to the prophecy of Saint Malachy "De gloria olivae" (Of the glory of the Olives).  Many of them said:  "It is not possible at present to elect "De gloria olivae", since "De labore solis" (Of the labour of the sun), comes first."

We point out the following:  the Antipope John Paul I, who corresponds to the motto "De medietate lunae" (Of the half moon), has died, taking with him his hypocritical smile and the half moon.  Now the apostate cardinals will gather again in conclave to elect the successor of John Paul I, the successor who will correspond to the motto of Saint Malachy "De labore solis", this one naturally antipope as well.  And once again is shown that no one mocks God.  The masons who are in the Curia Romana were pleased with themselves for having placed on the throne of Peter a secret mason, a man of humble bearing, who stood on the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica with a continual smile, a smile which he brought to his audiences, and to each and every occasion when he appeared with others.

We put the following question to the faithful:  can the Vicar of Christ be smiling continually, seeing the Church suffer?  We make the reply for you all:  it is not possible for the Vicar of Christ to have a permanent smile, while the Church weeps along the way of sorrows to Golgotha.  We all know that the Church, imitating her Divine Founder, is suffering today the Passion, and must be crucified in order to rise again in glory,- and in this way She follows in the sacred footsteps of the Divine Master.

We wish to offer the faithful the following reflection:  the Antipope John Paul I passed the time of his very brief pontificate with a false and constant smile, like a clown.  Instead, Our venerated predecessor, His Holiness Pope Paul VI, endured a long pontificate full of great suffering.  He was seen to weep many times during the fifteen years of a pontificate which the world has not yet acknowledged.  Whereas, 33 days of a false pontificate, and the world does an about face, and acclaims the man a humble saint.

We believe with all assurance, that the Archangel Saint Michael, great protector of the Church, has let fall the sword on the Antipope John Paul I, since his death occurred on the eve of the Feast of Saint Michael.  Again we declare:  no one mocks God.

We exhort all traditionalists to think well on the signs which God is showing these last times.

We wish in the following to give details regarding the sanctity and heroic virtue of the thirteen martyrs whom today We raise to the glory of the altars.

1.-  Saint Eustaquio Nieto Martin, martyr.

Saint Eustaquio, martyr, Bishop of Siguenza, was born in Zamora, 12th March, 1866.  He was assistant Priest in Saint Isabelle's, Madrid; acting Parish Priest of Saint Mary Major in Alcala de Henares; and Parish Priest of the Conception in Madrid.  He was consecrated Bishop, 28th March 1917, and as newly consecrated, occupied the Episcopal See of Siguenza. For the twenty years of his pontificate in that city, he was greatly esteemed by the clergy and faithful. The 25th July, 1936, Communist soldiers arrived at Siguenaza.  The very day of their arrival, they went straight to the Episcopal residence, in a tumult invaded the rooms of the palace, overpowered the Bishop[, and treating him badly, shoved him bodily, in spite of his years, all along the way to the Square of the Fountain of Guadalajara.  There he was insulted and reviled in many ways buy the shouting of the rabble, after which he was let go in freedom.  The Bishop returned to his residence.  Some of the Cathedral Canons suggested to him that he leave the city.  But the Bishop declined for two reasons:  he did not wish to remove his soutane; and above all, his will was firmly fixed on remaining with his flock.  On another occasion, when offered the opportunity to leave, he refused again, saying, "Let us leave it in God's hands."  On the 26th, the red soldiers again invaded the palace and the seminary, and took possession of many objects of value.  Innumerable were the vile offences - with maltreatment of every kind, inflicted by the assailants on the good Bishop, Doctor Nieto. The Bishop, a prisoner in his palace, was able to hide himself so that the soldiers could not find him during a long search.  A Claretian Priest, who the previous day courageously defended the Bishop in the open square, was forced to accompany them, and call aloud throughout the palace, informing the Bishop that they sought him for his safety.  After a long time, the Bishop replied, 'here I am'.  They overpowered the Bishop, and denied him water whilst he was tortured by thirst.  They put him in a car, saying they were taking him to Madrid for his own good, though the Bishop did not believe it.  The car set out for Alcolea del Pinar, and at about 4 kilometers in the direction of Estriegann, he was shot, on the 27th July, 1936.  Saint Eustaquio died shouting vivas to Spain and to Christ the King.  They were such, so many and enthusiastic, the vivas he shouted, that they took him for mad.  His body was burned with petrol.

2.- Saint Silvio Huix Miralpeix, martyr.

Saint Silvio, martyr, Bishop of Lerida, was born in the ancestral home of "Huix," in the parish of Saint Margaret de Vellors (Gerona), 21st December, 1877.  At thirty years of age, he entered the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri at Nich, where he later became director of the house, and of the apostolic works pertaining to it.  He gave a great impulse to Marian Congregations, effecting a great apostolate through the printed word, spiritual exercises, and lectures.  He was a seminary professor, and devoted considerable time to teaching catechism.  He was consecrated Bishop, and in 1927 was sent to the Diocese of Ibiza, where he had a great apostolate. When the revolution began he was already Bishop of Lerida.

The 21st July, 1936, the communist rabble began to assault the doors of his palace.  The holy Bishop did not wish to abandon the palace, according to his own words:  "It is my duty not to abandon my post, where I am ready to die".  But he decided to do so in order to save the lives of his household, family and servants, who had refused to leave him.  He was given an identification card with a fictitious name, to use if he were detained; but the holy Bishop did not accept it, saying: "Oh no! I will always say I am the Bishop of Lerida".  And so he spoke shortly thereafter in a street of Lerida, when arrested by a patrol of assault troops, who took him to prison.  There he met many prisoners, victims also of marxist fury.  The holy Bishop was the consolation, the heart of his prison companions.  The 25th of July, Feast of Saintiago, Patron of Spain, the holy Bishop was able to give Holy Communion to all who were with him, thanks to a priest jailed the previous day, who had managed to bring a ciborium with hosts to be consecrated.  The 5th of August, 1936, he was taken from prison under the pretext of being sent to Barcelona, and was shot on the way, along with 21 laymen, the very day of the Feast of the Virgin of the Snow, for which he had a special devotion.

3.- Saint Cruz Laplana, martyr.

 Saint Cruz, martyr, Bishop of Cuenca, belonged to a family of the high nobility of the Valley of Xistan in the Pyrenees of Aragon. He was reared with the greatest care, and at the age of 11, in 1836, entered the seminary of Barbastro.  In 1902, he was already Doctor of Sacred Theology and of Law.  Saint Cruz Laplana was a priest of great virtue, who during his episcopate attained great perfection.  He was poor and simple.  He never had a private carriage, and many a time he was seen on a hired carriage, drawn by two old mules.  He was consecrated Bishop in the Basilica of the Pillar and was sent to Cuenca 23rd June, 1921, where he expended much labour; tireless occupation for the dignity of the divine cult, the preaching of the Gospel, catechism, Catholic Action, and the Social Apostolate.

From the 19th July, 1936, a patrol of communist riflemen mounted guard around his palace. The holy Bishop could have escaped with the help of some persons who made the offer; but he said:  "I cannot go for fear of danger; my duty lies here, cost what it may".  He said as well to the dean of the Cathedral:  "I have the obligation to face the situation, no matter how difficult it be.  But you are to go and hide this very moment, because I cannot consent that they take you along with me".

When the Episcopal Palace had been plundered, the holy Bishop was taken under military escort to the seminary, now become a prison. The 8th August, 1936, he was taken from prison along with his secretary, who had not wished to abandon the Bishop, and they were taken by car on the road to Villar de Olalla.  During the drive, the two victims prayed aloud the '"Miserere".  The holy Bishop spoke to his murderers:  "I know that you are going to kill me, but if my life is necessary, I offer it for Spain.  Do you think there is no Heaven?  Yes, my sons, there is a Heaven! D o you think there is no Hell?  Hell exists, my sons.  You can kill me; my body I leave to you, but my soul will go to Heaven. I pardon you, and I will pray for you in Heaven."  At 5 kilometres along the road mentioned, after hearing each other's confession, the Bishop Saint and his secretary were shot to death.  Saint Cruz Laplana died wearing his soutane, since he had refused to wear civilian clothes.

4.  Saint Florentino Asensio y Barroso, martyr.

Saint Florentino, martyr, Bishop of Barbastro, was born in 1878, of a simple family of the valley of Ornija, in the village of Villasexmir.  He was ordained priest in 1901, and first became parish priest of Villaverde, and later private secretary of the Archbishop of Valladolid, having as well other duties, administrative and educational.  Saint Florentino was the typical priest, dignified, devout, affable and paternal.  For a long time he was confessor and spiritual director of the seminarians, of nuns, and of various apostolic societies.  The 26th January, 1936, he was consecrated Bishop.  When the Apostolic Nuncio informed him that the Holy See proposed to elevate him to the Episcopal dignity, considering himself to be unworthy, he offered the greatest resistance, to the point where the Nuncio was obliged to say:  "either you accept the office, or you will be considered a rebellious son of the Holy See".  The 14th of March, he took possession of the Diocese of Barbastro.  There he had energetically to protect the Seminary buildings confiscated by the local government, and in process of demolition.  The 19th of July, he suffered house arrest in his Episcopal residence.  Some days later he was taken to the Colasancio College, where he was imprisoned.  That night the local mob screamed and laughed with diabolic expectation.  At one o'clock in the morning, he said to the religious who were with him:  "My sons, I am going to give you my last blessing. . . .  No, do not weep, because this night is very agreeable to me.  Let us entreat the Almighty to save Spain from her enemies."   At 3 o'clock, 9th August, he was taken from the prison, and shot to death, at 3 kilometres on the way to Sarinana.

5.  Saint Miguel Serra Sucarrots, martyr.

Saint Miguel, martyr, Bishop of Segorbe, born in Olot, 11th January, 1868.  He studied at the seminary of Gerona.  He became successively Doctor of Sacred Theology, Canon of Tarragona, and Vicar General.  He was consecrated Bishop 7th October 1923.  He came to Segorbe 25th June 1936, from the Canary Islands.  The 27th of July he was taken prisoner by the communists, along with other clerics and religious.  The murder of this holy Bishop took place in the early morning of the 9th. August, 1936, on the highway.  When his murderers were aiming their rifles to shoot him, the Bishop Saint said to them:  "You can kill me, but you cannot stop me from giving you my blessing." He blessed them paternally, and granted them pardon.

6.  Saint Manuel Basulto Jimenez, martyr.

Saint Manuel, martyr, Bishop of Jaen, was born in Adanero (Avila), 17th May, 1860.  He became Magistral Canon of Leon, and Lectoral Canon of Madrid.  He was consecrated Bishop 16th January, 1910, and came to Jaen from Lugo in 1920.  The 2nd August, 1936, communist soldiers presented themselves in the Episcopal palace, and imprisoned the Saint in the cellars until they took him under arrest to the Cathedral, where more than 1,200 prisoners had been gathered from the various towns of the province.  Given the number of prisoners, the communist authorities decided to send many of them to the prison of Alcala de Henares.  Among these was the holy Bishop.  The 11th of August, he was taken in the 'train of death' with his companions to the prison.  When the holy Bishop was leaving the Cathedral on the way to the train, he passed between two long lines of prisoners, whom he discreetly blessed as he walked.  Passing the chapel of the Relic of the Holy Face of the Lord, the Saint gazed fervently at the Holy Face.  At the door of the Cathedral, he turned towards those prisoners within, and gave them a solemn blessing. When the train reached the station of St. Catherine in Madrid, a crowd of soldiers who were waiting in the station prevented them from going on to Alcala.  The soldiers took them by road to Vallocas, and near El Pozo del Tio Raimundo, let out many of the prisoners and murdered them.  Among these was the Bishop Saint.  It was 12th of August, 1936.

7.  Saint Manuel Borras Ferre, martyr.

Saint Manuel, martyr, Auxiliary Bishop of Tarragona, was born in Canonja (Tarragona), 9th September 1880.  After his ordination to the priesthood, he filled several conspicuous offices.  He was profoundly pious, leaving where he went an aura of spirituality.  He had Great devotion to the Eucharist, to the Most Holy Virgin, and in his life the mystery of Christ on the Cross had a profound meaning.  As Bishop in Tarragona he was very much of the same mind and spirit as his superior, Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer.  It would be a lengthy task to recount the bitter experiences of these two prelates from the day the communist soldiers hurled themselves on the streets of the city like mad dogs, that is from the 21st of July, 1936, until the 24th, during which time both were put in prison in Montblanch.  The Cardinal was liberated and managed to flee to Italy.  The holy Bishop was left in prison, despite the efforts of the Cardinal to secure his freedom.  The Saint was accused of ordering a priest to celebrate 30 Masses, and the soldiers decided to remove him to Tarragona, to put the matter before a tribunal.  However, on the way, they set him down from the car, shot him dead, and burned the body. The Bishop Saint died, blessing his murderers.

8.  Saint Narciso de Estenaga y Echevarria, martyr.

Saint Narciso, martyr, Bishop of Ciudad Real, born in Logrono 29th October, 1882, was left an orphan when very little, without father or mother, and he was reared in an orphanage in Toledo.  He was ordained priest, brilliantly negotiating his studies; and gifted with great intelligence and wisdom, filled important offices.   He was consecrated Bishop 22 July, 1923, and appointed to the See of Ciudad Real.  From the 25th July, 1936, the communist mobs ran riot before the Episcopal palace, every day until the Bishop was taken to a private house by order of the Governor.  A certain man offered the holy Bishop and his secretary, who accompanied him, the opportunity to escape.  But the Prelate replied:  "Precisely now, when the wolves are howling around the flock, the pastor must not take flight.  My duty lies here".   The 22nd of August, two motorcars stopped at the residence of the Saint, taking him and his secretary 8 kilometres from Ciudad Real, near Peralvillo del Monte, where they were murdered.

9.  Saint Diego Ventaja Milan, martyr.

Saint Diego, martyr, Bishop of Almeria, entered the city as its Bishop on the 16th July, 1935.  The 21st July, 1936, a crowd of soldiers pulled down the doors of the Episcopal palace and made a careful search.  The holy Bishop was taken to the police department, and was let free shortly after.  He had the opportunity twice to flee, but he refused to do so, in order to fulfill the duty of Pastor.  Three days later, Saint Diego was obliged to leave his palace and was taken to another residence, since the civil government was setting itself up in the Episcopal palace.   A few days later, the Bishop of Guadix was also imprisoned in the same residence, of whom we shall speak shortly, as both were murdered together.  The 29th August, 1936, after suffering greatly on board a ship through the cruel treatment of the soldiers, they were killed a few kilometres down the road that leads to Motril and Malaga.

10.  Saint Manuel Medina Olmos, martyr.

Saint Manuel, martyr, Bishop of Guadix, was born in Lanteira, 9th August, 1869.  Great friend of Saint Andrew Manjan, founder of the Schools of Ave Maria, who one day said to the Saint: "You will be Bishop and martyr".  The remark made a profound impression on the holy Bishop, so that he could say to those close to him:  "I have offered my life to God for the salvation of Spain, and the Lord has accepted it".  He was consecrated Bishop 26th May 1926.  Two years later, he took charge of the diocese of Guadix-Baza.  When the revolution broke out, he was in Guadix, although he had the opportunity of remaining in Granada.  The 24th July, 1936, he was given another opportunity of fleeing, and refused the offer, as he could not abandon his diocese at a time of danger.  On the 27th, the communists invaded the palace, plundering and profaning the sacred vestments.  They seized the Saint's biretta, his pastoral ring, and his pectoral cross as well, - at which the Bishop Saint said:  "Since you are going to kill me, let me die with the Crucifix".  He was taken to the residence where the Bishop of Almeria was held, Saint Diego Ventaja; and there he stayed with him until they were taken together to be killed, after suffering greatly aboard a ship. He was murdered a few kilometres along the road that leads to Malaga and Motril.

11.  Saint Manuel Irurita Almandoz, martyr.

Saint Manuel, martyr, Bishop of Barcelona, was born in Larrainza (Pamplona).  His life as a priest was passed in Valencia.  He was consecrated Bishop 25th March, 1927.  Three years later he was appointed to the Diocese of Barcelona.  His life was truly exemplary:  "One hour and a quarter of mental prayer in the morning, and a half hour in the evening in his chapel; daily recitation of the three parts of the Rosary; spiritual reading and a dozen visits daily to the Blessed Sacrament; fasts and abstinence; the discipline and hairshirts, and so forth".  The 21st of July, 1936, the communists invaded the palace.  The holy Bishop was able to leave by a secret exit with the members of his household, and take hiding in the home of an acquaintance in Monistrol.  Discovered by the soldiers, 1st December 1936, he was taken from the house, and led from one committee to another, until he was murdered in Moncada, along with three men, 3rd December, 1936.  Shortly before he died, he said to his murderers: "I bless all of you who are in my presence, as I also bless the bullets that will cause my death, since they are the keys that will open for me the gates of Heaven".

12.- Saint Anselm Polanco y Fontecha, martyr.

Saint Anselm, martyr, Bishop of Teruel, came from a town of the province of Loon.  He joined the Augustinians of Valladolid, was consecrated Bishop in 1936.  The city of Teruel lay under siege during the first two years of the Holy Crusade.  The 7th January, 1938, Teruel fell under the red army.  The holy Bishop was taken from the monastery of Saint Clare, where he had taken refuge, since the Episcopal palace had been destroyed, and the Seminary was in danger of being bombed from the air.  He was taken to the prison of Saint Michael de los Reyes, in Valencia, where he was kept for a week.  Later he was taken to other prisons.  Fifty days before the final victory of the Caudillo Saint Francisco Franco - bringing to an and the Holy Crusade, - amidst screams and jeers and insults, he was murdered 7th of February, 1939.

13.  Saint John of God Ponce y Pozo, martyr.

Saint John of God, martyr, apostolic administrator of Orihuela from the 29th October, 1935.  In October 1936, he was arrested and put in prison, where there were other priests.  The 30th November, 1936, he was murdered in the cemetery of Elche.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, solemnly declare and proclaim:  We elevate today to the dignity of exalted Patrons of the Holy Spanish Crusade against communism, the 13 martyrs named above.

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