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Also known as: Anselmo
Polanco Fontecha
Memorial: 7 February
Profile
Son of a farmer. Joined the Augustinian Order at Valladolid, Spain in 1896
at age 15. Studied at the monastery of Santa Maria of La Vid. Ordained in
1904. Taught theology in seminary. Prior in 1922. Provincial councilor of
his Order in the Philippines, responsible for missionary efforts.
Provincial-superior of his Order in 1932. Traveled to China, Colombia,
Peru and the United States. Bishop of Teruel and Apostolic Administrator
of Albarracin in 1935. Known for the depth of his prayer life. When the
Republican Army overran Teruel in 1938, Bishop Polanco stayed with his
flock, and refused to cooperate with anything he saw as being against
Church interests. Imprisoned for 13 months. Used as human shield by
soldiers. Martyred in the persecutions of the Spanish Civil War.
Born: 16 April 1881 at Buenavista de Valdavia, Palencia, Spain
Died: shot on 7 February 1939 at "Can Tretze" of Pont de Molins,
Gerona, Spain interred in the Teruel cathedral
Beatified: 1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized: pending
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