The History of Catholic Persecution "Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that your share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of Christ? 'And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?' As a result, those who suffer in accord with God's will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good." (1 Peter 4:12-19) Nathan Barker, in his well-meaning but pervasively ignorant view of history, redundantly points to Protestant perscecution as some sort of "proof" against Catholicism. In an even more embarassing display of historical revisionism, Nate inexplicably tries to incorporate the persecution of Catholics like Justin, Ignatius, Ireneaus, Clement, et. al., into his bizarre worldview. (see the article Persecution Paradox). How can such an institution which claims infallibility also be responsible for so much persecution?". This question often arises during a discussion of Catholicism; however, it misses the point, being both irrelevant and also ultimately self-defeating. It is irrelevant because the actions of sinful Catholics in no way discredit Catholic doctrines. It is ultimately self-defeating because in reality, Catholics have been persecuted as much, if not more, than most other groups - Protestants included. It is an often-forgotten fact, for example, that 33 of the first 34 popes were martyred. The purpose of this page is to serve as grim reminder, and inspiring testimony, of Catholic martyrdom throughout history. Martyrology - Catholic Encyclopedia Emperor Diocletian's Edicts of Persecution Against the Christians Excerpts from Church History, by Fr. John Laux M.A. In Much of the World it is Dangerous to be a Christian - George Weigel The Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland Christian Martyrs in Muslim Spain - Kenneth Baxter Wolf The Persecution & Martyrdoms of Lyons In 177 A.D. Transcripts of the Trial of Joan of Arc Catholic Martyrs of the Holocaust - College of the Holy Cross Persecution of Catholics in England Japanese Martyrs The 10,000 Martyrs The Roman Martyrology Project Lesser-Known Saints and Martyrs Irish Confessors and Martyrs Forty Martyrs The Christian Martyrs of Uganda Pope St. Clement 1, Martyr - CIN Blessed Edmund Campion - Evelyn Waugh Campion's Brag Irish Hunger Martyrs Martyrs of the Paris Commune Novena of the Holy Spirit, by Edith Stein Pope St. Fabian The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas, by Tertullian St. Flavian, Archbishop of Constantinople Isaac Jogues, S.J. St. John the Baptist St. Justin Martyr St. Maxmillian Kolbe Maxmillian Kolbe - Fr. Richard Gant Blessed Miguel Pro, Heroic Mexican Martyr St. Stephen, the First Martyr St. Thomas Becket The Murder of Becket - Alfred Duggan St. Thomas Becket - Todd Drain The Story of Thomas More - John Farrow Thomas More - Barbara Ward Sts. Tyrannio, Zenobius and Others, Martyrs in Phoenicia The Martyrs of Gorkum Unsung Martyrs - Robert Royal Martyrs in China The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs Padre Pio: A Modern Martyr - by Brother Dominic, M.I.C.M. Tertiary Blessed Miguel Pro - Catholic Online Saints Directory Edith Stein - EWTN resources on the life and times of St. Thomas More Remembering Archbishop Oscar Romero Catholics and the Holocaust Dinand Library - College of the Holy Cross 5 Heroic Catholics of the Holocaust - College of the Holy Cross The Cardinal of the Persecuted Jews - Rev. Vincent A Lapomarda, S.J The Holocaust and the Church Pages |back|