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Jacques Hamel facts for kids

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Jacques Hamel (30 November 1930 – 26 July 2016) was a French Catholic priest. He was born in Darnétal, Seine-Maritime, France. He worked in the parish of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray.

On 26 July 2016, Hamel was murdered during the 2016 Normandy church attack by two Muslim men pledging allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant while he celebrated Mass in his church. His throat was slit during the attack in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, France. He was 85 years old.

Hamel was called a martyr by some international press shortly after his death. Calls to make him a saint started soon after his death. The canonization cause was officially opened at diocesan level in April 2017, after Pope Francis had waived the otherwise mandatory five-year waiting period for the opening of such causes.

Images for kids

  • Tombe de Jacques Hamel

    Hamel's grave at Basilique Notre-Dame de Bonsecours cemetery

  • MessedemémoirePèreHamel-PapeFrançois

    Pope Francis celebrates a special Mass for Hamel on 14 September 2016

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