French President Emmanuel Macron commemorated an elderly priest martyred 10 years ago [1] in North-West France.
“We have not forgotten Father Jacques Hamel. Ten years ago today, he was cowardly murdered by two Islamist terrorists — targeted because he embodied the rejection of hatred, as well as fraternity and hope,” the French leader wrote on his X account on July 26.
“To his loved ones, his parishioners, all the inhabitants of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, and the Catholics of France, I extend the nation’s faithful, fraternal greetings,” Macron added.
On July 26, 2016, two young Islamic State terrorists stormed the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray in Rouen, France, during a celebration of mass.
Shouting “Allahu Akbar” (Arabic for “God is great”), the killers entered the church and began destroying religious images. The priest tried to stop them but was unable to do so. The terrorists attempted to force him to his knees, but he refused.
One of the killers stabbed him, and Hamel cried out, “Begone, Satan!” These were his last words, and they slit his throat.
The cause for Hamel’s beatification was announced on April 13, 2017, and officially opened on May 20 of that year.