The archdiocese of Rouen has opened a formal inquiry into the Cause for beatification of Fr Jacques Hamel, who was killed while celebrating Mass last July.
Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen announced the opening of the inquiry at the end of his Chrism Mass.
Fr Hamel was killed at Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray church near Rouen when, police said, two young men who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State stormed the church. After taking several hostages, the attackers slit Fr Hamel’s throat and seriously injured another parishioner. Following a standoff, police killed the attackers, ending the hostage situation.
