Anton Zogaj

Anton Zogaj (* 1902, according to other sources in 1905 or on July 26, 1908 in Kthella in the Mirdita ; † 1946, according to another source in 1948 in Durrës ) was an Albanian Roman Catholic priest who was shot for his belief in the communist regime . He is one of the Thirty-Eight Martyrs of Albania .

Life

Born as the son of Maria and Lek in Mirdita, he grew up in Gjakota in Kosovo . After elementary school he attended the papal seminary in Shkodra ; During this time he lived in the Konvikt "Malet tona". In 1920 he graduated from this school.

He studied theology and philosophy in Austria , in 1931 he received his diploma in Trenning. By then he had learned a number of European languages, including German, Italian and French. He was ordained a priest on April 26, 1932 and was pastor in Durrës .

Because of his outstanding study results, he was appointed secretary to Archbishop Vinçenc Kolë Prennushi , whom he served with particular loyalty. He was considered a good and humble priest among the faithful. There are various versions of his execution , which agree that he was shot in Porto Romano near Durrës. The year of execution was given as 1946 and 1948 (on March 9, after arrest on May 18, 1947). The death sentence was pronounced for the crime of "acting against the Albanian people". His grave is not known.

Beatification process

The beatification of Anton Zogaj and 37 other martyrs from the time of Albanian communism took place on November 5, 2016 in Shkodra. The Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints , Cardinal Angelo Amato , presided over the celebrations on behalf of Pope Francis .

literature

• Pjetër Pepa: Tragjedia dhe lavdia e klerit katolik në Shqipëri . Tiranë 2007, Vol. II, p. 49.

Web links

• Portrait of Zogaj on the website of the Archdiocese of Shkodra-Pult (Albanian)