A barbarous attack in a French church

Pope Francis is horrified and shocked by an attack in a church in Rouen, in northern France, where a priest was slain and another hostage was seriously wounded. A statement released by Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office said: we are particularly shocked because this horrible violence took place in a Church, in which God’s love is announced, with the barbarous killing of a priest and the involvement of the faithful.

Father Lombardi also said the Pope shares the pain and the horror caused by this absurd violence and expresses firm condemnation of every form of hatred and prays for the victims. Two attackers entered the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray (not far from Rouen, France) during Mass on Tuesday morning, taking the elderly priest and four other people hostage before being shot dead by French police. There were no immediate details on the identity or motives of the two assailants but the investigation was handed to the anti-terrorist unit of the Paris prosecutor's office.

In his statement Fahter Lombardi commented on the fact that the terrible news is unfortunately the latest in a series of violent attacks in the past days which have created immense pain and preoccupation. Father Lombardi said the Pope is close to the Church in France, to the Archdiocese of Rouen, to the local community and to the French people.

Message of Condolence

Sent by the Secretary of State

His Excellency, Dominique Lebrun
Archbishop of Rouen (France)

Having been informed about the hostage taking in the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, which has resulted in the death of a priest and the serious wounding of another person, His Holiness, Pope Francis assures you of his spiritual closeness and is joined in prayer to the suffering of the families of those who have been affected.  He also participates in the suffering of the parish and of the diocese of Rouen.

He is praying to God, the Father of mercy, asking that He may welcome Father Jacques Hamel into the fullness of peace and light and that He may grant comfort to all those who have been wounded.

The Holy Father is particularly horrified by this act of violence which took place in a church during the celebration of a Mass, the liturgical act of imploring God's peace for the world.  He asks the Lord to inspire thoughts of reconciliation and fraternity for all people who face this new challenge and to send the abundance of His blessings on each of you.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
(original text in French)