Stanley Rother was an American Catholic priest and missionary who dedicated his life to serving the indigenous Tz'utujil people in Guatemala. Born in Oklahoma in 1935, he served several parishes in his home state before requesting a mission assignment in the impoverished region of Santiago Atitlán in 1968. During the Guatemalan Civil War, he provided essential medical, educational, and spiritual support to his community. He was killed by death squads in 1981, an act recognized by the Catholic Church as martyrdom.
Missionary work
In Guatemala, Rother became deeply integrated into the local culture by learning the Tz'utujil language and translating the New Testament. He supported local farmers, helped establish a small hospital, and assisted a radio station used for teaching mathematics and language. Known affectionately as "Padre Apla's," he remained committed to his parishioners despite the increasing violence from military death squads targeting the Church.
Death and veneration
Rother was murdered in July 1981 when masked gunmen entered his church in Santiago Atitlán. Following his death, Pope Francis identified him as a martyr who died for his faith. He was beatified in Oklahoma City in 2017, becoming the first United States-born priest to receive this honor. He is commemorated on July 28, the anniversary of his death.