CWN- The Vatican has recognized the martyrdom of a Romanian bishop who died under the country’s Communist regime.

Bishop Anton Durcovici (1888-1951), who became Bishop of Iasi in 1948, was arrested the following year, tortured, and died when he was left in the winter cold without clothing or food. On October 31 the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, with the approval of Pope Francis, issued a decree recognizing the Romanian prelate as a martyr, clearing the way for his beatification.

The Congregation also issued decrees recognizing the “heroic virtue” of three candidates, who now will be eligible for beatification if a miracle is attributed to their influence:

1. Honoria “Nano” Nagle (1718- 1784), an Irish religious;
2. Celestina Bottego (1895-1980), the American-born daughter of an Italian immigrant who returned to his native land; she became a religious founder there; and
3. Olga della Madre di Dio (1910-1943), born Olga Maria Fortunata Gugelmo, an Italian religious.