Martyrs of Algeria: A historical
day that became an interreligious ceremony
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| Beatification of the Algerian Martyrs.- ANSA |
Vatican News’ special envoy to Algeria for the
Beatification, Cyprien Viet, says that Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the
Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has beatified 19 martyrs of Algeria
in a colourful Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Cross in Oran,
Algeria.
Africa Service – Vatican News
Blessed Pierre Claverie and his eighteen companions were
victims of the violence during the Algerian civil war of the 1990s. In the
years of the turmoil, more than 150,000 Algerians are also said to have died.
The Saturday 8 December ceremony on the Solemnity
of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was an
extraordinary day of great joy and great warmth. It also turned out to be an
interreligious ceremony.
Muslim representatives graced the occasion
Many Muslims participated in the beatification ceremony,
which aroused a lot of joy and emotion for Archbishop Paul Desfarges of Algiers
and many others present. They saw in the beatification and solidarity of the
Muslims, the fruit of intense efforts by the Church of Algeria and the local
population.
Many Imams were also present, visiting the Church a few
hours after receiving the families of the Martyrs at the Great Mosque. One of
the highlights of the Mass was the exchange of the peace sign, during Mass,
when the Bishops went down to the faithful and greeted the Muslim
representatives.
The People of Algeria and the Martyrs shared a common
destiny
In his address at the beginning of the ceremony, Bishop
Jean-Paul Vesco, the Bishop of Oran, spoke both in French and in Arabic. He
began by mentioning the friendship between Blessed Pierre Claverie and his
driver Mohamed Bouchikhi, killed with him on 1 August 1996. This, according to
Bishop Vesco, showed that the destinies of the 19 Martyrs were linked to those
of the Algerian people, who also suffered greatly during this period.
The beatification started with a moment of silence and
contemplation for all the victims of the massacre.
Cardinal Becciu, who represented Pope Francis, expressed his
pleasant surprise at such an amicable climate between Christians and
Muslims.
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