Source: Zenit
HONG KONG, JULY 9, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Martyrdom isn't merely an event from the past, but an event that continues to inspire, says the Hong Kong diocesan weekly, the Sunday Examiner.
The newspaper reflected last week on the canonization in 2000 of 121 martyrs that had triggered conflict between the Holy See and the Chinese government at that time. The canonization took place on Oct. 1, the National Day of China, and was viewed by Beijing as "an intentional provocation to hurt the Chinese people," the editorial recalled.
"Ten years have passed," it continued. "We need to consider whether anything was learned from these unfortunate disputes or did those 121 martyrs die in vain?
"Martyrdom is not merely an event of the past, but something that can inspire us today."
Among the 121 martyrs declared saints in 2000, the youngest was seven and the oldest 79, and there were 87 Chinese and 34 expatriate missionaries.
Article provided by ZENIT News Agency.