Vatican approves sainthood for 35 Indian 'martyrs'

Catholic bishops have announced that the Vatican has approved the beginning of the sainthood process for 35 Indians who were killed in 2008 during some of the worst anti-Christian violence in decades.Following the 2008 death of a Hindu priest, hundreds of churches, prayer halls, Catholic-run schools, and houses in the state of Odisha were targeted by vengeful mobs, causing over 50,000 people to escape.A group of 24 men and 11 women known by the church as the "Kandhamal martyrs" were among those slain.The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) announced in a statement on Tuesday that India's bishops decided in January "to initiate the beatification process of the Kandhamal martyrs" in response to a proposal made by Odisha archbishop John Barwa.According to church law, beatification, which comes before canonization, proceeds more quickly if martyrdom is proven.But before they may advance and become saints, there needs to be evidence of a miracle.The bishops said that last week they had obtained a letter from Rome authorising them to begin "investigating the life, virtues and sanctity" of the organisation."The Vatican has approved the process to begin the cause for the canonisation of Kanteshwar Digal and his companions, who were martyred for their faith", the CCBI said.(With agency inputs)