Paul Keenan
Pope meets French President in wake of Hamel killing
Pope Francis has followed up on a private phone call he received from French President Francois Hollande in the wake of the brutal murder of Fr Jacques Hamel in Normandy to host the French leader at the Vatican. Touched by Mr Hollande’s call to express condolences in the wake of the killing, Pope Francis extended an invitation for the pair to meet on August 17. The meeting took place in the presence of French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and the French ambassador to the Holy See, Philippe Zeller.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Hollande said he wished to discuss with the Pontiff matters of “religious freedom, secularism and unity with respect for everyone. When a religious figure is assassinated, the Republic is also profaned.”
He subsequently told waiting media of the meeting: “The Pope’s words were very comforting,” Hollande said. “He confided in me that he felt like a brother at the side of the French people.”
Beatification
Meanwhile, it is reported from France that Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen plans to open the cause for beatification of the late Fr Hamel and fast-track the process after the full circumstances of his death at the hands of Islamic extremists emerged. Witnesses to the slaying have spoken of Fr Hamel’s command to “Go away, Satan” as his killers set on him.
“The death of Father Jacques Hamel is the ultimate testimony of his faith in Jesus,” Archbishop Lebrun said.
Should Father Hamel be recognised as a martyr for the manner of his death, there will be no requirement of an attributable miracle, allowing the Vatican to proceed to beatification more speedily
Australian police weigh charges against Cardinal Pell
Police in the Australian state of Victoria have received a decision from the Office of Public Prosecutions on allegations of abuse against Cardinal George Pell, and will now consider how best to deal with the historic cases against him.
In a statement on August 17, police confirmed receipt of the decision but did not reveal what that was, only adding that they “will now take the time to consider it. As with any investigation, it remains a decision for Victoria police as to whether charges will be laid.”
Now residing at the Vatican, Cardinal Pell has strongly denied any wrongdoing, and alleged that both the police and media have conspired to damage his reputation. The cardinal faces allegations levelled by five individuals who were schoolboys in 1978 and 1986 respectively.
Pope to return to Assisi
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is planning another pilgrimage to Assisi next month. Following his August trip to the birthplace of St Francis, the Pope will travel again on September 20, this time to take part in the annual prayer gathering organised by the St Egidio community. September 20 marks the 30th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, convened at Assisi by St John Paul II.