During the 9 am Mass this morning in the parish church of Saint Stephen (Saint-Etienne), in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, in the outskirts of Rouen, Normandy, France, two assailants invaded the church, held most of those inside -- including the priest and two nuns -- hostage, and, before being killed by special operations forces, slit the throat of the priest.
Martyr! The martyred priest was Father Jacques Hamel, 84 years old -- may he pray for us in heaven!
So many Christians have been martyred in recent years outside Europe, also victims of Islam: It is fitting that the first priest-martyr of Western Europe in many years comes from the Eldest Daughter.
