Pope Francis: 'to kill in the name of God is satanic'
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on
Wednesday morning celebrated Mass for the French priest of Rouen, Fr.
Jacques Hamel, whom he described, is part of the chain of Christian martyrs
that runs throughout the history of the Church.
Father Hamel was murdered
while celebrating Mass in his Parish Church by two men swearing allegiance to
the so-called Islamic State in July.
To the congregation gathered
at Santa Marta and which included Archbishop Dominque Lebrun of Rouen, along
with 80 other pilgrims from the diocese, Pope Francis said that “to kill in the
name of God is satanic”.
Reflecting on the many
martyrs that are part of the history of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said:
“this is a story that repeats itself in the Church, and today, he said, there
are more Christian martyrs than there were at beginning of Christianity”
Today – he continued - there
are Christians "who are murdered, tortured, imprisoned, have their throats
slit because they do not deny Jesus Christ".
This history, the Pope said –
continues with our Father Jacques: he is part of this chain of martyrs.
“Father Jacques Hamel was
slain as he celebrated the sacrifice of Christ’s crucifixion. A good man, a
meek man, a man who always tried to build peace was murdered (…). This is the
satanic thread of persecution” he said.
And, Pope Francis continued:
"What a pleasure it would be if all religious confessions would say: 'to
kill in the name of God is satanic'".
Pope Francis concluded his
homily holding up Fr Hamel and his example of courage and said we must pray to
him to grant us meekness, brotherhood, peace and the courage to tell the truth:
“to kill in the name of God is satanic”.
On the altar, a simple
photograph of Fr Hamel who was slain by two Islamist fanatics while celebrating
Mass in the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray on 26 July 2016.
The liturgy was broadcast
live by the Vatican Television Station.
(Linda Bordoni)
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