ISIS victim Father Jacques to be given holy honour by Pope after Rouen church slaughter
FATHER Jacques Hamel, the priest who was killed by Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Rouen, France, is on the way to being given beatification, the first step in achieving sainthood.
The priest who was killed by ISIS terrorist in Rouen is on the way to be given beatification
The Roman Catholic priest, 85, was giving morning mass when two 19-year-old radicalised jihadis burst in and slit his throat at the altar in front of five members of his congregation.
It is understood Father Jacques sacrificed himself for the sake of his congregation, who were taken hostage near the French city of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray on July 26 last year.
Roman Catholic priest Father Jacques Hamel was giving morning mass when two jihadis slit his throat
The Rouen diocese are aiming for Father Jacques to be beatified – the first step to canonisation or sainthood.
A spokesman for the Rouen diocese said Father Jacques “died for his faith”.
He added: “If it succeeds, the martyrdom of Father Jacques Hamel will be officially recognised according to Church criteria."
It is understood Father Jacques sacrificed himself for the sake of his congregation
2,000 people mourn Father Jacques Hamel
Beatification usually takes more than five years, but Pope Francis agreed in October to waive the so-called “cooling off” period observed after the death of a candidate for sainthood because Father Jacques’ beatification and canonisation does not require proof of miracles.
Kermiche and Petitjean – who had both pledged allegiance to the terrorist group ISIS in a video made before the attack – were shot dead by police as they left the Sainte Thérèse church.