“His martyrdom must not be forgotten”: ten years later, the assassination of Father Hamel has left deep marks in the Church

The scene remained indelible in people’s minds. This Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in the small church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, Father Jacques Hamel celebrates, like every morning of his fifty-eight years of priesthood, daily mass. Five faithful surround him. But shortly before the end of the service, two armed young people, Adel Kermiche and Abdel Malik Nabil-Petitjean, burst into the building. They take the assembly hostage, fatally stabbing the 85-year-old priest. On their way out, the two attackers were shot dead by the police. The attack is claimed by Daesh.

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