Beatification cause begun for French priest slain at the altar

Those who knew Fr Jacques Hamel are rejoicing at the speed with which the Church is paying homage to this simple and discreet priest, who died at the age of 85 while celebrating a weekday mass.

Apr 22, 2017

By Melinee Le Priol and Claire Lesegretain
Those who knew Fr Jacques Hamel are rejoicing at the speed with which the Church is paying homage to this simple and discreet priest, who died at the age of 85 while celebrating a weekday mass.

The announcement took place at the end of the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Rouen before the gathered priests and deacons of the diocese.

“The beatification process for Fr Jacques Hamel is now open,” Archbishop Dominique Lebrun declared.

He invited all members of the faithful from the diocese who are able to assist the cause to come forward via an email address printed on prayer cards distributed at the end of Mass.

The card contains a portrait of 85-year-old Fr Hamel, who was assassinated on July 26, 2016, by two Islamists at his parish church at Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray.

“The announcement is not a surprise because we knew it was imminent,” notes Jan De Volder, who has written a book on Fr Hamel. Last October, Pope Francis in effect granted an exceptional dispensation with respect to the normal five-year delay for launching a canonization cause.

“This process needs to be opened rapidly because many of the witnesses who knew Fr Hamel are already aged,” commented Emeritus Archbishop Jean-Charles Descubes.

He is among more than fifty people who will give their testimony, including family members, priests, parishioners, and friends.

“The auditions will not be public but will take place in the presence of sworn officials,” an official statement from the diocese said. In fact, many people have already written to Archbishop Lebrun concerning Fr Hamel.

As in every beatification process, it will comprise two stages, first a diocesan inquiry commencing this week which will be followed by an examination of the cause in Rome.

“I have already read fifteen of his editorials in the parish bulletin,” comments Fr Paul Vigouroux, parish priest of a parish in the Rouen suburbs, who has been appointed as postulator for the cause.

“What struck me was their great simplicity. No great theories but a way of embedding the Gospel in everyday life,” he notes.

If Rome recognizes Fr Hamel as a martyr, there will be no need for a miracle before he is recognized as Blessed.

Meanwhile, Fleur Nabert, a sculptor in sacred art and the author of a text paying homage to Fr Hamel just after his death, says that she already calls on his intercession from her heart.

“For me, Fr Jacques, like all saints, already give me support and tenderness in my life,” she says.

There is no doubt concerning the qualities of Fr Hamel’s heart.

“He participated in all the priests’ meetings,” comments Archbishop Descubes.

“I was always struck by his benevolence regarding the suggestions of his confreres. Not nostalgic, nor pessimistic, he was very open to the world, very much in contact with life and the mission of the Church.”

Jan De Volder was also moved by the testimonies gathered for his book.

“This old priest, who was assassinated while he celebrated weekday mass with a few parishioners, died in complete coherence with his life. Everyone told me that Fr Hamel was a very discreet, retiring man. He made his choices and remained faithful right to the end of his life...”

Meanwhile, Hugues Portelli, Republican party senator and mayor of the commune of Ermont in Val d’Oise region, who inaugurated a Place Jacques Hamel in January, stated that the rapid opening of the process was “an excellent thing".

Not only for believers because “they could follow the example of one of their contemporaries which gave sense to their Christian faith” but more generally for all those who were struck by the event.

“Because we all understood,” Senator Portelli emphasized,” that Christians may die as martyrs anywhere in the world today.”--La Croix

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