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 sent 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 forgiven
Killers 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 conducted by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, while Pope Benedict XVI addressed 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 dictatorship
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 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.
Was a member of your family killed in the Spanish Civil War? How do you feel about how they are commemorated? Send us your comments using the form below.
Was a member of your family killed in the Spanish Civil War? How do you feel about how they are commemorated? Send us your comments using the form below.
My father and grandparents lived in Madrid from 1933 to 1936. My grandmother who was living on Cervantes Street #24, saw how they attacked the doorman from the Catholic school my father was attending across the street and set fire to it. This prompted my grandmother to return to Cuba since my father had dual citizenshio and was about to be drafted to fight in the Spanish Civil War. Miguel Aparicio, Venice, USA
The people the vatican are honouring are war criminals, not victims. The catholic church took clear sides during the civil war, and were instrumental in establishing and then propping up the Franco dictatorship. The fascist armies killed indiscriminately and they did so in collaboration with the catholic church. When the fascist army marched into my grandmother's home village in Andalucia, in the very first weeks of the war, it was the Catholic priest who betrayed local people to the invaders. He gave them a list of everyone who lived in the village, so they knew if anyone had fled or gone into hiding. He told them who the 'troublemakers' were, who the leftists were, the intellectuals, the trade unionists, the people who didn't go to church regularly and those who had not baptised their children. It did not take long for the fascists to round all of these people up, along with anyone they didn't like the look of and men of fighting age, and shoot them all en masse in the village square. Is it any wonder then, that those on the left didn't like the catholic church?William Garcia, York, England
The people the vatican are honouring are war criminals, not victims. The catholic church took clear sides during the civil war, and were instrumental in establishing and then propping up the Franco dictatorship. The fascist armies killed indiscriminately and they did so in collaboration with the catholic church. When the fascist army marched into my grandmother's home village in Andalucia, in the very first weeks of the war, it was the Catholic priest who betrayed local people to the invaders. He gave them a list of everyone who lived in the village, so they knew if anyone had fled or gone into hiding. He told them who the 'troublemakers' were, who the leftists were, the intellectuals, the trade unionists, the people who didn't go to church regularly and those who had not baptised their children. It did not take long for the fascists to round all of these people up, along with anyone they didn't like the look of and men of fighting age, and shoot them all en masse in the village square. Is it any wonder then, that those on the left didn't like the catholic church?William Garcia, York, England
The grandfather of my ex partner was killed by the right wingers in front of his wife and children. Then she hung herself in front of her children. The Vatican is still siding with those that destroyed a legitimate and democratic government. Those that killed priests were wrong but were reacting to centuries of oppression.manuel navarro, Alicante, Spain
The grandfather of my ex partner was killed by the right wingers in front of his wife and children. Then she hung herself in front of her children. The Vatican is still siding with those that destroyed a legitimate and democratic government. Those that killed priests were wrong but were reacting to centuries of oppression.manuel navarro, Alicante, Spain
I had members of my family killed in both sides, the difference is that the Republicans did not only kill people because of political reasons, but also for religious reasons. That part of my family was persecuted just because they were religious and they went to mass every day in spite of the fact that they were poor peasants belonging to the working class. one of them was 13 and their only crime was to be in the seminary because he wanted to be a priest. That's the reason why all the people to be beatified belong to one side. they were killed defending their faith, they refused to say blasphemes, to urinate or to spit on crosses etc, when they told them to do so and that's the reason why they were killed. However, when some of these people were told to say things such as "long life to Russia" or "long life to communism", they did, they did not care about politics. A martyr is someone who dies defending their faith and faith was only attacked by the Republican side.Olga Alvaro, GUADALAJARA . SPAIN
I had members of my family killed in both sides, the difference is that the Republicans did not only kill people because of political reasons, but also for religious reasons. That part of my family was persecuted just because they were religious and they went to mass every day in spite of the fact that they were poor peasants belonging to the working class. one of them was 13 and their only crime was to be in the seminary because he wanted to be a priest. That's the reason why all the people to be beatified belong to one side. they were killed defending their faith, they refused to say blasphemes, to urinate or to spit on crosses etc, when they told them to do so and that's the reason why they were killed. However, when some of these people were told to say things such as "long life to Russia" or "long life to communism", they did, they did not care about politics. A martyr is someone who dies defending their faith and faith was only attacked by the Republican side.Olga Alvaro, GUADALAJARA . SPAIN
