Shtjefën Kurti

Shtjefën Kurti (24 December 1898 – 20 October 1971) was an Albanian Roman Catholic priest killed during a period of communist persecution. Kurti served as a priest during a volatile period for his nation in which communist repression enjoined state atheism and led to strict rules being imposed that prevented clerics from performing their duties. Kurti continued to serve as a priest when needed, which led to his arrest with the accusation that he was colluding with spies. Kurti was arrested for the final time when it had been alleged that he secretly baptized a child which was forbidden by the regime. He was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad.

Kurti was beatified alongside other Martyrs of Albania killed during the communist repression on 5 November 2016 after their collective beatification was approved seven months prior. The news had instead been leaked.

Kurti's death was kept hidden until news leaked and reached Rome of his death. RAI television announced this news while Vatican Radio confirmed it in March 1973. L'Osservatore Romano published an article on 26 April 1973 condemning the persecution of the Church in Albania with the article being published in part due to Kurti's murder.

Beatification The beatification process could commence once it was decided where the diocesan process would be held since a group of individuals meant the diocesan process could be conducted in just one diocese. On 7 June 2002 the forum for the process was transferred from individual dioceses to Shkodrë-Pult. The cause commenced on 4 September 2002 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued the edict of "nihil obstat" (nothing against) to the cause and titling the group as Servants of God which included Kurti.

The diocesan process for the investigation opened on 10 November 2002 and closed on 8 December 2010. The documents were placed in sealed boxes to be transported to the C.C.S. in Rome for assessment. The C.C.S. validated the process on 9 March 2012 and received the Positio dossier from the postulation in 2015 for further investigation. Theologians advising the C.C.S. approved the cause on 17 December 2015 while the C.C.S. members themselves also approved it on 19 April 2016. Pope Francis approved the findings and on 26 April 2016 confirmed that the 38 individuals had died "in odium fidei" (in hatred of the faith) thus approving their beatifications. Cardinal Angelo Amato presided over the beatification on the pope's behalf in Albania on 5 November 2016. Five cardinals attended the beatification as did 10,000 faithful and the Archbishop of Potenza Salvatore Ligorio. The then-cardinal-designate Ernest Simoni was also present.

The postulator for this cause is the Franciscan priest Giovangiuseppe Califano.