Mohammed Nadim is publishing “Requiem for Father Jacques Hamel,” a 130-page book, with a Preface by Monsignor Lebrun, published by Bayard (12.90 euros), which will be in bookstores on June 14, 2017. It will be presented on the eve, June 13, at Rouen.
Father Jacques Hamel was murdered on July 26, 2016, at age 86, in the church of Saint Etienne du Rouvray, by two young Islamist terrorists. Monsignor Dominique Lebrun, Archbishop of Rouen, placed Father Hamel’s Breviary in Saint Bartholomew’s Basilica of New Martyrs in Rome.
During a Mass celebrated in the Vatican on September 14, 2016, Pope Francis invited to “have” Father Hamel “venerated.” His cause of beatification was opened at the diocesan level, with the dispensation, accorded by the Pope, of the five-year waiting period established by Canon Law.
“Mohammed Nadim’s book, written under the form of letters freely addressed to Father Hamel, is a powerful meditation on violence, terrorism and religion. In burning poetic language, the author evokes the priest’s martyrdom, the madness of the killers, and what a Muslim like him feels,” points out a press release of the diocese.
“It is the distressing and unexpected testimony of a veritable spiritual dialogue, also the revelation of an author. In the Preface of the work, Monsignor Dominique Lebrun writes: “I try, with other disciples of Jesus, which you have the kindness to quote, to follow the steps of my Master and His prayer: Forgive them, for they know not what they do. Each page of your Requiem encourages me to do so. For this, and for your book and even more, for the opening of your heart, I am infinitely grateful.”
Mohammed Nadim lives and works in the south of Algeria. A practicing Muslim, distressed by the atrocious murder of Father Hamel on July 26, 2016, in the church of Saint Etienne du Rouvray, decided to give witness, states the same source.
The Bayard Group and the diocese of Rouen are planning in the Diocesan Center (41 Route de Neufchatel at Rouen) an evening of homage to Father Jacques Hamel, on Tuesday, June 13 at 8:00 pm, which will be led by Anne Benedicte Hoffner, journalist of La Croix, with:
Monsignor Dominique Lebrun, Archbishop of Rouen, author of the Preface.
Mr Frederic Boyer, writer, Literary Director of Bayard Editions, editor of the work.
Mr Mohammed Karabila, President of the Saint Etienne du Rouvray mosque and President of the Regional Council of Muslim Worship.
