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https://www.breitbart.com/faith/202...tholic-priest-martyred-by-islamic-terrorists/
ROME — The Catholic Church and the French state commemorated Monday the fifth anniversary of the martyrdom of Father Jacques Hamel, whose throat was slit by two jihadists while he celebrated Mass on this day in 2016.
On Monday morning, the archbishop of Rouen, Dominique Lebrun, celebrated a special Mass in homage to the priest, who has been called “Europe’s first 21st-century martyr,” at the site of the assassination, the parish church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, in Normandy.
Following the Mass, the French state also held a ceremony in honor of Father Hamel, with the participation of Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin as well as the mayor of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, Joachim Moyse.
“Islamist barbarism touches upon all the symbols that make up France. Doesn’t the murder of a priest in his church deeply touch the soul of France?” Darmanin said from the platform, after listing jihadist attacks that have struck the country in recent years.
“The barbarism with which we have been confronted for many years is a barbarism that it is difficult to fight as it has no nationality or religion,” he continued, adding that “this barbarity continues to kill at home and at all times.”
For his part, Archbishop Lebrun underscored the importance of the beatification process underway to declare Jacques Hamel a saint.
“How can we not emphasize the happy and providential choice of Pope Francis to exempt us from the 5-year waiting period before opening the beatification process that could one day officially recognize the martyrdom of Father Jacques Hamel,” the archbishop said….
