John Gazulli

After his ordination, Father Gjon Gazulli began his pastoral ministry. He was first appointed parish priest of Gjader, where he served for two years. He was then sent to Qelëz (in the Puka region), where he remained until 1925. It was in this parish that he accomplished remarkable social and educational work: he founded a co-educational parish school, open to boys and girls, as well as to Christians and Muslims. This initiative, very innovative for the time, testifies to his concern to offer quality religious and human education to all, without distinction. In 1925, he was appointed parish priest of Koman. Everywhere he went, Father Gazulli was deeply loved by the population for his dedication, his material and spiritual help, and his constant encouragement. His pastoral action was directly inspired by the social doctrine of the Church, which was then in full development. He courageously took up the defense of the poor and marginalized populations of the mountainous regions of northern Albania (Dukagjin, Puka, Mirdita), who were suffering from discriminatory policies on the part of the government.

The ministry of Father Gazulli took place in an extremely tense political context. In January 1925, Ahmet Zogu (the future King Zog I) acceded to the presidency of the Republic of Albania. His regime proved increasingly hostile to the Catholic clergy, whose moral and social influence was perceived as an obstacle to his authoritarian power. Father Gazulli, in particular, firmly opposed the government's plan to abolish Catholic schools and eliminate religious education. In November 1926, a popular revolt broke out in the mountainous region of Dukagjin against the Zogu regime. Although Father Gazulli did not take part in the armed insurrection, the government seized this opportunity to get rid of this influential and troublesome priest. He was unjustly accused of having fomented the rebellion, of having distributed weapons to the insurgents, and of having sabotaged telephone lines. On December 28, 1926, Father Gazulli was arrested. He was subjected to harsh detention conditions and rigorous interrogations, but he categorically refused to renounce his faith or yield to political pressure. Brought before a special political tribunal in Shkodër, he faced a sham trial. On February 10, 1927, the tribunal sentenced him to death by hanging.

On March 5, 1927, Father Gjon Gazulli was led to the public square of Shkodër (Fusha e Druve) to be executed. Before the sentence was carried out, he publicly forgave his executioners and proclaimed his absolute fidelity to Christ and the Church. His death was immediately perceived by the faithful as a true martyrdom in hatred of the faith (odium fidei). His grave, located in the Rrmaj cemetery in Shkodër, became a place of pilgrimage and constant devotion, even during the decades of fierce communist persecution that would later befall Albania. The cause for the beatification of Gjon Gazulli was officially opened at the diocesan level on November 10, 2002, in the Cathedral of Shkodër, as a historical cause distinct from that of the 38 martyrs of Albania. The diocesan inquiry closed on December 8, 2010. On June 20, 2024, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the martyrdom of Gjon Gazulli. The solemn beatification ceremony was celebrated on November 16, 2024, at Saint Stephen's Cathedral in Shkodër. It was presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, representing Pope Francis. Father Gjon Gazulli was beatified at the same time as Father Luigi Palić, another Albanian martyr from the early 20th century.

The spirituality of Father Gjon Gazulli is deeply rooted in fidelity to Christ the King and love for the Church, lived out until the supreme gift of his life. His pastoral commitment shows a remarkable integration of the Church's social doctrine, translating into a concrete closeness to the poor, the oppressed, and the excluded. By opening a mixed and interreligious school in Qelëz, he was ahead of his time in promoting education for all and fraternal dialogue between Christians and Muslims. His legacy remains alive in Albania as a symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of injustice and political oppression. His memory has endured through the darkest hours of the atheist communist dictatorship, inspiring generations of believers to keep the faith. Today, he is honored as a defender of religious freedom, social justice, and human dignity.