Pope Leo XIV authorized the Dicasterio for the causes of the saints to promulgate the decrees that recognize three new venerables, including two missionaries and an Indian bishop.
At his first hearing since his pontificate began with the prefect of the Vatican Dicastery, Cardinal Marcello Semerao, the Holy Father approved the “Offering of Life” of the Servant of God Alejandro Labaca Ugarte, of the Order of the Capuchin Children.
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
Alejandro Labaca, bishop martyr in the Ecuadorian silva
Born on April 19, 1920 in Beizama (Spain), after being expelled from communist China, this Capuchino missionary arrived in Ecuador, where he served as the head of Pomaria and Apostolic Vicar of Aguarico.
Mons. Labaca dedicated himself to evangelizing in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador, until he gave his life on July 21, 1987 in the Tigüino area (Ecuador), when reached by spears of the Tagaeri, a tribe threatened by the exploitation of the oil companies in the area, to which the prelate was opposed.
Inés Arango, missionary delivered to the Huaorani people
Next to Labaca also died Inés Arango Velásquez, missionary of the Capuchin tertiary of the Sagrada Familia, also declared venerable by Leo XIV this May 22.
This religious, born in Medellín (Colombia) on April 6, 1937 had been in Aguarico for ten years, dedicated to the apostolate with the indigenous people of the Huaorani.
On July 11, 2017, the Vatican published the Motu proprio of Pope Francis entitled This is a greater lovein which he established that “offer life“Knowing that a safe death will come is a new way to proceed to the beatification of a faithful.
The offer of life is one of the ways for beatification, in addition to the heroicity of virtues and martyrdom.
Matteo Makil, pioneer of the Church in India
Leo XIV also approved the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Matteo Makil, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He was born on March 27, 1851 in Manjoor (India) and died on January 26, 1914 in Kottayam (India). He was also the titular bishop of Talle and the first apostolic vicar of Kottayam (India).
After being declared venerable, a miracle should be approved by its intercession so that they can be beatified, the step prior to a possible canonization.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Graduated in journalism and advertising from the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. It has been a senior correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News at the Vatican for two years and is currently a correspondent for Europe based on Spain.