en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en ru en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en fr en en en en en nl en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en sv en en de en en en en en de en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en
The Archdiocese of Rouen in Normandy prepares for the upcoming trial of four young men who murdered 86-year-old Father Jacques Hamel in July 2016
Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen held a press conference in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray on February 2. (Photo by ANNE-CHARLOTTE COMPAN for La Croix)
By Christophe Henning | France
"I will follow Christ to the end," Father Jacques Hamel once told a member of his parish in Normandy after the woman had urged the elderly priest to retire.
But the 86-year-old French cleric probably never imagined that the end would come through a knife attack during Mass.
Father Hamel was killed by a young jihadist on July 26, 2016 as he celebrated the Eucharist in the parish church in the small town of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray.
And since then, Catholics throughout France – and especially the people of Saint-Etienne and the Archdiocese of Rouen – have lived with vivid memories of that tragic event.
Emotions are running even higher now, as four young men are set go on trial for the murder on February 14 at a special court in Paris.
"We are preparing to relive these painful events," said Rouen's Archbishop Dominique Lebrun.
"I really want this trial, but I'm backwards in coming forward," he said, using a 19th century colloquialism to express reluctance to express his opinion.
The 64-year-old archbishop took up his post in Rouen only several months before Hamel's murder.
And now he is a civil party to the trial, as are members of Hamel's family. Guy Coponet, a parishioner who was seriously injured in the attack on the priest, is also a civil party.
The religious sisters who were present at that weekday Mass preferred to abstain.
"It's not our place," they said.
"The fact that they have chosen not to be part of it makes me feel good," said Archbishop Lebrun, who hesitated for a long time before filing a civil suit.
"There are still so many questions!"
What is to be expected from this trial?
"The answer is spontaneous: justice!" the archbishop said during a February 2 press conference near the rectory where Father Hamel lived.
He said justice is also due to the accused.
"They have the right to know the response of society through its representatives in the judicial system," Archbishop Lebrun said.
It is also justice for the victims and their families, the neighbors, the parish, the Muslim community, etc.
"We are all linked," the archbishop insisted. "We are waiting for this moment to advance on the path of truth. This search is in my heart. There are still so many questions!"
The leader of Church of Rouen is nonetheless aware that during the trial questions related to terrorism, to Islamist networks and to claims of various attacks will come into play.
In this regard, the archbishop has requested that Adrien Candiard, a member of the Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies in Cairo, be allowed to testify in court.
The trial will take place in the absence of the accused, since two of them (Kermiche and Abdel Malik Petitjean) died during the police intervention.
"The defendants will be judged on their degree of knowledge of the assassination plan," said Catherine Fabre, lawyer for the civil party, for the archdiocese and Archbishop Lebrun.
Three of them are being prosecuted for "conspiracy to commit terrorism", and a fourth who is presumed dead -- for complicity in murder.
Archbishop Lebrun said this week's press conference was also an opportunity to reflect again on the personality of Father Hamel – "his discretion, his faithfulness, his spirit of poverty".
Father Jacques Simon, who has been parish priest of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray since last September, has insisted that "for most of the parishioners, (Hamel) was already practicing holiness in his daily life".
This sense of service and violent death are the essential elements of another process, that of the beatification procedure for Father Hamel.
The diocesan phase was completed in April 2019 and all the testimonies compiled were sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.
"There is no doubt that he was killed out of hatred for the faith," said Father Paul Vigouroux, vice-postulator of Hamel's cause for beatification. "There are many testimonies about his evangelical simplicity."
In the small rectory adjoining the parish hall, everything has remained as it was since that fateful July 2016 morning when Father Hamel went to celebrate Mass, having no idea it would be his appointment with death.
"Beyond the verdict, I expect the maximum light from this trial," Archbishop Lebrun said.
"On this day of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the feast of light, I hope that this light will enlighten the judges as well as the defendants. And all those who will follow this trial."
Get the latest from La Croix International. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter.
You may also like
Nigerian archbishop urges govt to improve security in schools, universities
Behind the pope’s “fighting” words to women religious
First Nations group from Canada to meet pope in late March
Are Catholics really interested in Christian unity?
Fear is a bad teacher
SUPPORT LA CROIX INTERNATIONAL’S COMMUNITY OF READERS
Support La Croix International's unique blend of international Catholic journalism by making it available to people in Asia and Africa who can't afford a subscription and often don't have credit cards to pay for it either.
Synodal virtues: valuing and extending theological education
Recently ordained Congolese bishop is big on synodality
Church leaders should engage social media’s Catholic influencers
The business of simply living a normal social life
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
Why Pope Francis did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Elizabeth II, the “last Christian monarch”, has died
A challenge for Europe
Shaking up the economy
Peace, our common good
For 70 years she “was” the United Kingdom
Cooperation rather than competition
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Francis continues his push for a humbler, more open Church
The pope and the praying menace
What was the August meeting of cardinals really about?
Is Christian hospitality enough?
"What fraternity does assisted suicide build?"
Live, learn, forget, repeat
When timing is paramount
The pandemic, Christian faith and the perils of kids living in the digital world
"It’s been powerful to watch people enunciate a theology of care for creation"
Laudato si’ guides Indian archdiocese to help fisherfolk
Brazilian bishops stand up for the Yanomami people
The Gaia Man, James Lovelock
Pope calls for a new relationship with God, others and Creation
| Catholic Digest | UCAN | Living in faith | La Croix Africa | La Croix español
About Us | Contact Us| Newsletter Sign-up| Donate| Terms and Conditions| FAQ| La Croix| Confidentiality Policy| Sitemap