Pope Francis officially recognized today the martyrdom of Father Stanley Rother, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who was killed in Guatemala, making him the first martyr born in the United States. This recognition of his martyrdom clears the way for his beatification.
Already on June 25th, 2015, a theological commission at the Congregation of the Causes of Saints voted to formally recognize him as a martyr. At that critical moment, the Archbishop of Oklahoma City stated that “Father Rother laid down his life for Christ and for the people of his parish in Guatemala, whom he dearly loved. It is very encouraging to move one step closer to a formal recognition by the Church of Father Rother’s heroic life and death as a martyr for the Gospel.” After many steps in this process, Pope Francis has now given final recognition of the martyrdom of Stanley Rother.
Through the years, Father Rother learned the local Tzutuhil dialect, served the people with devotion, and was deeply loved by the parishioners. Political unrest swept the country in the 1970s and in 1980 four priests were killed in Guatemala.
In his Christmas letter of 1980, Father Rother wrote: “The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” Nevertheless, as conditions worsened, he came back to Oklahoma. After a short time, despite the danger, he returned to the mission because of his love for the people.
On the night of July 28, 1981, three men entered the rectory, tortured and shot Father Rother. Father Rother’s heart is buried in the church in Guatemala and his body is buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Okarche. The official Cause for Beatification of Father Rother was begun in October 2007. We now pray that the Church will declare him a martyr and a saint.
The prayers have been answered and Father Rother will be beatified in the near future. He is an example of selfless love and service in imitation of Christ.
Pictures are mine, all rights reserved except featured image of Father Rother, which is a scan copy of his prayer card.