Poland’s Catholic Church is preparing a group beatification process of victims of communism.

Catholics who were murdered out of hatred to their faith by communist persecutors between 1917 and 1989 will be declared blessed.

Father Zdzislaw Jancewicz from the Catholic University of Lublin says several persons, both priests and laymen, have already been named. Among them is Father Wladyslaw Gurgacz, a charismatic priest who defied the authorities during the grim period of Stalinist rule.

In 1999 Pope John Paul II beatified 108 martyrs, victims of Nazism. The late pontiff also called for tribute to paid to the memory of victims of communism.

Candidates for beatification can be named by both the church authorities and private persons. (kk)