Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War

 Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War were thousands of Roman Catholics, including clergy, religious, and laity, who were executed between 1936 and 1939 for their faith during a period of widespread anti-Catholic violence known as the Red Terror. Notable groups include the 233 martyrs of Valencia and the 522 Spanish Martyrs, and individuals like Pedro Poveda. The Catholic Church has recognized over 2,000 martyrs through beatification and canonization processes. 

Key facts

• Victims: 

  Approximately 6,832 members of the Catholic clergy were killed, along with many religious and lay people, including men, women, and children. 
Cause of death: 
They were executed for their faith, not for political or criminal reasons, in a persecution described as being driven by "anti-religious and anti-Christian sentiments". 
Notable groups:
Martyrs of Turon: Eight La Salle Brothers and one Passionist Brother killed in 1934. 
522 Spanish Martyrs: A large group of clergy, religious, and laypeople from various parts of Spain. 
233 Spanish Martyrs (or Martyrs of Valencia): Beatified in 2001, this was the largest number of people to be beatified at one time. 
Passionist Martyrs of Daimiel: A group of Passionist brothers killed in 1936. 
Church recognition: 
Pope John Paul II initiated the recognition of these martyrs, with subsequent popes continuing the process. To date, over 2,000 Spanish Civil War martyrs have been recognized and beatified.