Christian Martyrdom: Past and Present

Who Were Lady Julian of Norwich and St. Thomas Aquinas?

Their Theological Approaches

Lady Julian of Norwich, an English theologian, likened divine love to motherly love.

St. Thomas Aquinas, an Italian priest, viewed theology as a science. He believed its raw data consisted of written scripture and church tradition.

Ancient Christian Martyrdom

The First Christian Martyr

St. Stephen is often considered the first Christian martyr.

Literary Patterns in Early Christian Martyrdom Accounts

Early Christian martyrdom accounts emerged as a response to Roman persecution, primarily in two forms:

• Apologies: Defenses of the Christian faith.
• Passio/Martyrium: Narratives of martyrs' lives and deaths.

These texts often drew parallels to Christ's Passion, portraying martyrs' deaths within the framework of Christian tradition.

Key Figures in Early Christian Martyrdom

Stephen, Polycarp, Perpetua, and Felicity are prominent figures in early Christian martyrdom. Their stories reveal the challenges faced by early Christians due to the limited acceptance of their faith. These martyrs demonstrated unwavering belief, viewing testimony through death as a sacred gift from the Holy Spirit.

Classic Definition of Martyrdom

A martyr is traditionally defined as a person who dies as a witness to the truth of Christianity, often expressed as in odium fidei (in hatred of the faith).

The Reality of Martyrdom Today

Modern Martyrs and an Expanded Definition

The modern era presents a new age of martyrs, requiring a broader definition to encompass figures like Oscar Romero, Rutilio Grande, the U.S. Churchwomen, Ignacio Ellacuria, and the UCA Jesuits. These individuals championed those suffering from political oppression, expanding the concept of martyrdom beyond traditional religious persecution.

The El Mozote Massacre

The El Mozote massacre, a tragic event during the Salvadoran Civil War, saw the Salvadoran army kill over 800 civilians in the village of El Mozote, despite assurances of safety.

Fr. Thiede's Criteria for an Expanded Definition of Martyrdom

Fr. Thiede proposed an expanded definition of martyrdom based on these criteria:

• The person responsible for the death must have harbored hatred for the faith.
• The person must have been executed or died as a direct result of mistreatment.
• The person must have had some awareness that their actions could lead to persecution, at minimum, with the possibility of death.

This expanded definition acknowledges the evolving nature of martyrdom in the modern world.