Soon-to-be saint Titus Brandsma may be a source of “consolation» amid “our present struggles against the venom of deceit, lies, fake news, and historical revisionism,” his fellow Carmelite priests in the Philippines said.
The Order of Carmelites (O.Carm.) in the Philippines said the canonization of Brandsma, who is revered as a “martyr of press freedom,” is an inspiration not only for the Church but particularly for Filipino Carmelites.
Fr. Rico Ponce, Prior Provincial of the Philippine Province, said the country is currently “embroiled in a battle against the vicious enemies of truth” and those who use media and communication technology “for their own selfish ends.”
“It is a great consolation for us to have someone from a not-so-distant generation praying and interceding for us in our current struggles, and who knows how it is to be persecuted for defending his beliefs in the light of his faith,” Ponce said.
“We have much to learn—and to imitate—from Titus Brandsma, who defended truth and press freedom until his dying breath,” he added.
Born in 1881, Blessed Brandsma was a theologian and journalist, who will be canonized on May 15 at the Vatican along with nine other candidates for sainthood.
The Dutch priest was executed at the Dachau concentration camp on July 26, 1942, for his staunch refusal to publish Nazi propaganda in Catholic newspapers. He was beatified by St. John Paul II in 1985.
For many years, the Carmelites in the Philippines have been working to honor the memory of their holy patron through various initiatives, such as the Titus Brandsma Media Center, which extends learning resources for media education and pastoral care for media professionals.
The religious congregation has also established the Titus Brandsma Media Awards, which honors outstanding media practitioners whose work reflect the values of truth, freedom and genuine service to the poor and marginalized.
The Filipino Carmelites are also known for their active involvement in various initiatives and movements for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation. CBCP News
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