The Franciscans (OFM) Michael Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strzalkowski poles, and the Diocesan priest Italian Alessandro Dordi will be beatified in December

The newsroom, with Vatican Radio

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chimbote will beatify on December 5 the three missionaries whose martyrdom was recognized by the Church. They are: the Franciscans (OFM) Michael Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strzalkowski poles, and the Diocesan priest Italian Alessandro Dordi.They were murdered by Shining Path terrorists in August 9 and 25, 1991, in Pariacoto district and in Rinconada.

According to the diocesan bishop, Bishop Angel Francisco Simon Piorno, the exhumation of the bodies of the priests will be made in October. “They’re ready to be transferred to the new graves in the sanctuary of the martyrs located in the same location,” said the Bishop.

They will be the first martyrs beatified in the Diocese and in Peru. Bishop Simon Piorno also confirmed the will of two of the seven brothers of Father Dordi that his body not be exhumed. Thus, he will not be able to transfer to the shrine the remains of the Italian priest for the beatification. According to Italian law, in fact, the unanimous vote of the family is required to authorize the exhumation of a deceased relative.

“Don Luis Bambarén Gastelumendi, Emeritus Bishop of Chimbote, was in Italy trying to convince the two brothers, but their efforts were useless – recalled the current Bishop of Chimbote. However the beatification process continues, because we have some relics of Father Sandro “.