What is Christian martyrdom and what specifically distinguishes it?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (§ 2473) that “Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death.” This definition takes up again the one given by Pope Benedict XIV, considered the most precise expression of Christian doctrine on martyrdom: “Martyrdom is death voluntarily accepted because of Christian faith or the exercise of one of the virtues that has to do with faith.” For its part, Vatican II presents martyrdom as follows in Lumen Gentium (no. 42): “Since Jesus, the Son of God, manifested His charity by laying down His life for us, so too no one has greater love than he who lays down his life for Christ and His brothers (cf. 1 Jn 3:16; Jn 15:13). From the earliest times, then, some Christians have been called upon—and some will always be called upon—to give the supreme testimony of this love to all men, but especially to persecutors.” 3. What are the constituent elements of Christian martyrdom? Vatican II describe
