The Martyrs of La Rioja
The Martyrs of La Rioja refer to a group of individuals who were victims of state-sponsored violence in Argentina during the country's Dirty War, a period of military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. This group consists of Enrique Angelelli, Carlos de Dios Murias, Gabriel Longueville, and Wenceslao Pedernera, who were all associated with the Catholic Church and known for their commitment to social justice and human rights.
Enrique Angelelli
Enrique Angelelli, the Bishop of La Rioja, was a prominent Catholic leader and outspoken critic of the human rights abuses occurring during the Argentine military dictatorship. On August 4, 1976, Angelelli was murdered in a staged car accident orchestrated by the military regime. His death was part of a broader campaign to silence dissenting voices in Argentina.
Carlos de Dios Murias and Gabriel Longueville
Father Carlos de Dios Murias and Father Gabriel Longueville were both clergy members active in the Diocese of La Rioja. Murias was a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and Longueville had been a priest incardinated in the Diocese of Viviers in France before moving to Argentina. The two were abducted, tortured, and murdered on July 18, 1976, due to their work with impoverished communities and their criticism of the regime.
Wenceslao Pedernera
Wenceslao Pedernera was a layman deeply involved in social activism and community organization within La Rioja. He was married in 1962 and moved to La Rioja in 1973 with his family. His efforts also included managing an organization dedicated to social justice. Approximately one week after the murders of Murias and Longueville, Pedernera was assassinated on July 25, 1976, when he was shot 20 times in front of his wife and daughters, highlighting the severe risks faced by those advocating for social change during this tumultuous period.
Beatification Process
The process for the beatification of these martyrs was initiated in 2010. In 2011, it received significant support from Jorge Bergoglio, who was then the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and later became Pope Francis in 2013. The cause moved forward with the three men being declared Venerables. On June 8, 2018, Pope Francis confirmed their beatification, and the ceremony took place on April 27, 2019, at La Rioja City Park.