FATHER JACQUES HAMEL (1932-2016)
MARTYRED IN A TERRORIST ATTACK INSIDE A CHURCH IN SAINT-ETIENNE-DU-ROUVRAY (FRANCE) WHILE CELEBRATING THE HOLY MASS.
(Vatican Radio) 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 Fr 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”.
Fr 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 during Mass on Tuesday morning, taking the elderly priest and four other people hostage before being shot dead by French police.
The investigation was handed to the anti-terrorist unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office.
In his statement Fr 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.
NEWS SOURCE: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/07/26/pope_horrified_by_%E2%80%98barbarous%E2%80%99_killing_priest_french_church/1246770
SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY Year A Mass prayers and readings. 
POPE FRANCIS ON THE MOST HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY YEAR A. 
HOMILY FOR THE MOST HOLY TRINITY YEAR A 
HOMILY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY 2023
The Age of the Martyrs will not end until Christ returns to judge the earth. The forces of truth and justice defeated the Muslim attempt to overrun Europe at Tours, at Lepanto, and at Vienna. But Europe is now paying the price for the wholesale abandonment of the Church teaching on birth control. The violence will spread and grow, and the persecution will increase. May we find encouragement and strength in the blood of martyrs like Fr. Hamel. May we quench our thirst for God in the Blood of Christ.
I am shocked and deeply saddened, but not at all surprised, by this attack. To my French brothers and sisters in Christ, Mes amis, restent fidèles. I am going to Lourdes this September, my fourth visit. I understand the risks. May our Holy Father continue to pray for the Church at large, and especially the Church in France.