Patriarch Kirill’s condolences over attack on a church and murder of a Catholic priest in Rouen suburb

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has extended condolences over the seizure of hostages and murder of Catholic priest Jacques Hamel in Rouen suburb in northern France.

 To the Most Rev. Cardinal Andre Vingt Trois

Archbishop of Paris

President

Bishops’ Conference of France

 

Your Eminence,

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 Hamal by terrorists.

This insolent crime was committed at a holy place and shocks by its inhuman brutality and trample upon any moral norm. There is no and can be no justification to it.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to you, the clergy and faithful of the Roman Catholic Church in France, as well as to the relatives, friends and spiritual children of the slain pastor.

May God, Who ‘so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (Jn. 3:16), repose the soul of His servant in the heavenly mansions and give consolation and support to all the victims and send peace and blessing to the French people.

With love in the Lord,

+ KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA