I often hear fellow Catholics rumble and mumble criticisms against bishops. They speak of these senior clergy with disdain and, sometimes, even mistrust. Well, I recently learned about this Spanish martyr-priest, Bishop Salvio Huix Miralpeix, who certainly can serve as a role model for bishops, priests and the lay faithful.
As an Oratorian priest, Father Huix Miralpeix was a preacher, retreat master catechist, seminary professor, writer, and promoter of Marian associations. At the age of forty-nine, he was consecrated a bishop and made the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Ibiza where he remained for nearly seven years. During this time he saw the rise of the anti-Catholic forces of the Spanish Republic.
In 1935 Bishop Huix Miralpeix was transferred to Lerida. As hostilities quickly escalated the cathedral was burnt, and the Episcopal palace attacked on the morning of July 21. The gardener hurried the bishop to his small house about ten minutes away, and tried to hide him there. His efforts would place the family in great danger, so the bishop left of his own accord after a couple of days. On the evening of July 23rd, the good bishop went to the Popular Front troops and revealed his identity. They immediately imprisoned him along with several other priests.
In prison he was still the pastor, and encouraged his co-workers in acts of faith, hope and charity, hearing their confessions and leading devotions. The Blessed Sacrament was smuggled into the prison by a priest awaiting trial, and all were able to receive Holy Communion on the feast of St James, the patron of Spain.
On the morning of August 5th, twenty priest prisoners were driven away from their prison. They were taken to a cemetery and shot one-by-one that night. Bishop Salvio asked to be the last to die, and so he would be able to console, encourage and absolve the martyr-priests as they left this world.
Before his arrest he left his pectoral cross with a friend, asking him to take it to Pope Pius XI, with the message that if it were asked of him, he freely offered his life for the Pope, and to assure him of his complete fidelity to Christ and the Catholic Church.
Quite a story of love and courage, don’t you think? I guess we can say that Bishop Salvio was a good shepherd until the end of his life.