Cardinal Koch: May the witness of martyrs inspire unity and peace

Vatican News

At the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew on the Tiber Island, an ecumenical celebration for peace gathered Christian faithful on 23 April 2026 to commemorate the New Martyrs, with particular remembrance of the Armenian victims of the “Medz Yeghern” on the eve of its anniversary.

In his message for the occasion, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, said that the witness of martyrs remains central to the life of the Church. Quoting the documents of the Second Vatican Council, he recalled that honouring the testimony of Christians who gave their lives for Christ reveals a “true union in the Holy Spirit” among believers of different traditions.

Ecumenism of blood

Reflecting on the Armenian martyrs of the early twentieth century, the Cardinal described their sacrifice as part of a “common martyrology” that transcends divisions.

Echoing the teaching of Pope St John Paul II, he pointed to an “ecumenism of blood,” through which shared suffering becomes a source of unity among Christians.

Persecuted Christians today

Cardinal Koch also drew attention to the present reality of persecution. Despite the fall of totalitarian regimes in the last century, he noted, many Christian communities continue to face violence and discrimination.

Yet, recalling the words of Tertullian, he affirmed that “the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians,” expressing hope that today’s witnesses may foster future unity within the Body of Christ.

A path towards unity and peace

The celebration concluded with a prayer that the example and intercession of the martyrs may guide Christians on their journey toward full communion, and hasten the day when all believers may share in the same Eucharistic chalice.

The Basilica of Saint Bartholomew, long associated with the memory of modern martyrs, once again served as a place of remembrance and hope, where the suffering and faith of past and present witnesses continue to inspire the Church’s path toward unity and peace.