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Vatican honours Spanish war dead Vatican honours Spanish war dead
(about 4 hours later)
The Vatican has beatified 498 Roman Catholics executed during the Spanish Civil War, in the largest ceremony of its kind ever held.The Vatican has beatified 498 Roman Catholics executed during the Spanish Civil War, in the largest ceremony of its kind ever held.
Most of the victims - nearly all of whom were clergy - were killed at the outset of the war in 1936, by militias fighting for the Republican government.Most of the victims - nearly all of whom were clergy - were killed at the outset of the war in 1936, by militias fighting for the Republican government.
The move has been criticised by some because it recognises victims from only one side of the brutal conflict.The move has been criticised by some because it recognises victims from only one side of the brutal conflict.
But the Vatican said it was not about "resentment but... reconciliation".But the Vatican said it was not about "resentment but... reconciliation".
The Roman Catholic Church was closely linked with the right-wing forces of General Francisco Franco, who won the war in 1939 and went on to impose nearly four decades of dictatorship.The Roman Catholic Church was closely linked with the right-wing forces of General Francisco Franco, who won the war in 1939 and went on to impose nearly four decades of dictatorship.
Many people think that by honouring the victims from only one side of the Civil War, the Roman Catholic Church is dividing Spaniards, says the BBC's Danny Wood in Madrid.Many people think that by honouring the victims from only one side of the Civil War, the Roman Catholic Church is dividing Spaniards, says the BBC's Danny Wood in Madrid.
However, the Spanish government has supported the beatification and is sending Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos to the ceremony. However, the Spanish government has supported the beatification and sent Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos to the ceremony.
Killers forgivenKillers forgiven
The Mass in St Peter's Square was attended by nearly all of Spain's bishops and tens of thousands of pilgrims, who congregated on Sunday morning to honour those lauded by the Church as martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.The Mass in St Peter's Square was attended by nearly all of Spain's bishops and tens of thousands of pilgrims, who congregated on Sunday morning to honour those lauded by the Church as martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.
It was being conducted by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, while Pope Benedict XVI was to address a message to the pilgrims. It was conducted by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, while Pope Benedict XVI addressed a message to the pilgrims.
SPANISH CIVIL WAR Began in 1936 when right-wing generals rose up against left-wing governmentMuch of Spain's establishment, including Catholic Church, sided with rebelsNationalists also had support of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while Republicans were backed by Soviet UnionNationalists prevailed in 1939, and imposed Franco dictatorshipSPANISH CIVIL WAR Began in 1936 when right-wing generals rose up against left-wing governmentMuch of Spain's establishment, including Catholic Church, sided with rebelsNationalists also had support of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while Republicans were backed by Soviet UnionNationalists prevailed in 1939, and imposed Franco dictatorship
The 498 victims included two bishops, 24 priests, 462 monks and nuns, three church staff and seven lay people.The 498 victims included two bishops, 24 priests, 462 monks and nuns, three church staff and seven lay people.
They were among an estimated 7,000 clergy killed by left-wing Republican forces between 1931 and 1939.They were among an estimated 7,000 clergy killed by left-wing Republican forces between 1931 and 1939.
One was Bishop Cruz Laplana y Laguna, who was taken prisoner by leftist militiamen two days after the war broke out in July 1936.One was Bishop Cruz Laplana y Laguna, who was taken prisoner by leftist militiamen two days after the war broke out in July 1936.
He was shot by a firing squad two weeks later, reportedly telling his killers before they opened fire: "May God forgive you, as I forgive and bless you."He was shot by a firing squad two weeks later, reportedly telling his killers before they opened fire: "May God forgive you, as I forgive and bless you."
This coming week, the Spanish parliament is expected to pass a landmark law acknowledging the victims of the war and its aftermath.This coming week, the Spanish parliament is expected to pass a landmark law acknowledging the victims of the war and its aftermath.
The Law for the Historical Memory also obliges the Catholic Church to change any pro-Franco monuments inside its churches.The Law for the Historical Memory also obliges the Catholic Church to change any pro-Franco monuments inside its churches.
This legislation has caused as much controversy as the Vatican's beatification, since Spaniards still find it very hard to reconcile their differences about this period of their history, says the BBC's correspondent.This legislation has caused as much controversy as the Vatican's beatification, since Spaniards still find it very hard to reconcile their differences about this period of their history, says the BBC's correspondent.
The war is thought to have claimed the lives of at least 250,000 people. While atrocities were carried out on both sides, it is thought the right-wing Nationalists killed more people.The war is thought to have claimed the lives of at least 250,000 people. While atrocities were carried out on both sides, it is thought the right-wing Nationalists killed more people.