Ibiza hosts first beatification of 20 martyr priests

The Ibiza Cathedral is hosting the first beatification ceremony in the Balearic Islands, honoring 20 martyr priests from the local diocese. These religious figures were killed between August 7 and September 13, 1936, during the early months of the Spanish Civil War.

According to the Bishopric, the men were executed solely due to their status as priests. The group includes figures such as Juan Torres Torres, the ecónomo of Formentera, and Antonio Tur Costa. Most of the victims, 17 in total, were killed on September 13 at the former Dalt Vila military castle. The martyrs included various parish priests, ecónomos, and coadjutors from Ibiza and Formentera, with the youngest, José Serrá Ribas, being only 25 years old at the time of his death.

The ceremony is presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.