Russian patriarch decries murder of French priest
July 29, 2016
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church described the murder of Father Jacques Hamel in his French parish as a “terrible atrocity.”
“With the feeling of profound grief I have learnt about the terrible atrocity at the Catholic church in Rouen – the capture of hostages during a divine service and murder of the Rev. Jacques Hamel by terrorists,” Patriarch Kirill of Moscow said in a message to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois of Paris.
“This insolent crime was committed at a holy place and shocks by its inhuman brutality and trample upon any moral norm,” he added, as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the slain priest and consolation for the French people.
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Further information:
- Patriarch Kirill’s condolences over attack on a church and murder of a Catholic priest in Rouen suburb (Moscow Patriarchate)
- At Mass for slain French priest, cardinal contrasts terrorists’ ‘Moloch’ with Christian hope (CWN, 7/28)
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