Fast-track beatification process begun for Father Hamel

October 03, 2016

Pope Francis has authorized the Archdiocese of Rouen to begin investigating a cause for the beatification of Father Jacques Hamel, the city’s archbishop announced on October 2.

Archbishop Dominic Lebrun made the announcement as he presided at a service of reparation at the church of St. Etienne du Rouvray, which was reopened for the first time since the terrorist attack in July in which Father Hamels was killed.

Ordinarily the Vatican requires a 5-year waiting period after the person’s death before the opening of a cause for beatification. But the Pope has waived that wait, responding to pleas from French Catholics. During his in-flight press conference on his October 2 return trip from Azerbaijan, the Pontiff confirmed that he has asked the Congregation for the Doctrine of Saints to begin taking testimony from witnesses to the priest’s murder. “Not losing the witnesses is important, because the fresh witnesses are really those who have seen the people,” the Pope explained.

 

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Further information:

• Pope to give slain French priest fast track to sainthood (AFP)
• The Church of Fr. Jacques Hamel reopens. Exceptionally, process of beatification begins (AsiaNews)
• Full tex of Pope Francis' in-flight press conference (CNA)