Catholic-Muslim relations Archives

Why Father Jacques Hamel’s legacy belongs to the whole Church
- Analysis
- July 27, 2017
Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the slaying of Father Jacques Hamel in Normandy, France, on July 26, 2016. Today Hamel is a candidate for sainthood, and there are several powerful reasons why his legacy is important – among them, he’s a reminder that old-school martyrdom still occurs in the here-and-now, and that even the simplest believers are capable of great heroism when push comes to shove.
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Recalling priest’s murder, Archbishop says ‘Father Hamel is still alive’
- Global Church
- July 26, 2017
During an anniversary Mass on Wednesday at the small Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, where Father Jacques Hamel was killed by having his throat slit on July 26, 2016, by two 19-year-old Muslim terrorists, Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen said, “Though he is dead, Father Jacques Hamel is still alive.” The Mass was attended by several French dignitaries, including President Emmanuel Macron.
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Sister of martyred French priest says he’s now a ‘brother to all’
- Global Church, Interviews
- July 26, 2017
One year ago today, 85-year-old French Father Jacques Hamel was brutally slain while saying Mass in his small parish in Normandy. Today, his sister says Hamel has become a “brother to all,” and also stubbornly professes hope, both for Christian/Muslim coexistence in France and even for newly elected French President Emanuelle Macron, who will be at Hamel’s anniversary Mass.
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Holy Land Festival unites Muslims, Christians for peace

The fourth annual Holy Land Festival was held July 15 in Washington. The festival cultivates a conversation of hope around the Holy Land, with many groups coming together to engage visitors with the situation of Christians and of peace in the Holy Land.

Christian, Muslim leaders highlight Lebanon as country of coexistence

Lebanon is a message of freedom and an example of pluralism for East and West, according to Christian and Muslim leaders who met in the country for a conference. “Lebanon sends a message of hope to the Arabs and to the world,” they wrote in a statement.

Church says Papua riot sparked by military burning Bibles

A riot in the Papua — a mostly Christian province of the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia — was sparked by claims police burned Christian scripture. The police said water cannon was used, but the church’s report said two armored vehicles from the military base had fired at the crowd.