Attack on the Basilica of Nice: "To close the churches would be to give in to fear"

Bishop Dominique Lebrun, 63, Bishop of Rouen has already been confronted with an attack.

In 2016, one of the priests of his diocese, Father Jacques Hamel, was assassinated by two Islamists during mass in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

For him, the attack on Nice, which killed three people on Thursday, "revives a pain".

How did you feel when you heard of the bloody attack in the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice?

MGR DOMINIQUE LEBRUN.

I was speechless.

I learned the news at the cathedral a few minutes before the 10 am mass which I celebrated with real concern despite the presence of security officials.

My gaze was attentive to the people who could circulate in the aisles.

I thought of Saint-Paul's letter: "We are not fighting against beings of blood and flesh, but against the rulers of this dark world, the spirits of evil ..." And it reminded me of the words of Father Hamel before dying: "Go away Satan!"

The Nice drama obviously revives pain.

When you think you can take a step forward, you suddenly have the impression of going back.

To the believer that you are, where was God this Thursday at 9 o'clock?

He is present, he is in unanimous disapproval.

Killing is blasphemy against God.

The God who asks to kill does not exist, he is a lure or even an idol, that is to say a God who makes himself, not a God who is received.

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Why is the Catholic community the target of Islamist hatred?

I would like to understand.

Today, I don't know.

We are a target like the Jewish community, the Muslim community, National Education, the police… I do not believe that we are a separate target.

This Thursday, a whole Nation is in mourning.

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Do you forgive the abuser?

It's not for me to forgive because I feel too far away, that would be too easy.

I already have work to do on myself with those who killed my priest.

It's in my heart.

But the time is long.

Forgiveness is our daily horizon, reminded by Jesus' prayer: “Forgive us as we forgive.

"

How did the faithful react?

They are afraid.

I understand them.

While celebrating mass, I myself was a little afraid.

Should we make places of worship more secure when Catholics are going to celebrate All Saints' Day this Sunday?

It is up to those who govern us to say so.

I am not asking for additional protection, but I welcome the one offered to us.

I say all the same to the faithful: God invites you to celebrate All Saints' Day, but if it is too hard for you, stay at home!

We will not give in to fear.

We will not give up celebrating All Saints' Day.

To close the churches would be to give up and give in to fear.

VIDEO.

Nice attack: "We are going to protect churches and schools"

What to say to Catholics who would be tempted to point the finger at Islam?

I told them that this Thursday morning, barely an hour after mass, the person in charge of Muslims in Rouen called me to tell me that he was with me wholeheartedly.

It takes great courage.

A delegation of Muslims from Seine-Maritime is going to visit me on Friday evening as we come to visit a grieving family.

I invite all Catholics to dialogue with their Muslim brothers.

It is well beyond the question of amalgamation.

Everyone knows that Muslims are not fanatics.

Today we have to get in touch and say who our God is.

Can this new attack harm interreligious dialogue?

It's a risk, but it can also deepen it.

Locally, after the assassination of Father Hamel, interreligious dialogue has strengthened.

Does the Church have a role to play to prevent such a tragedy from happening again?

We have the responsibility to carry the dialogue with the Muslim believers.

We also have the responsibility of prayer.

Our society is discovering that all our efforts can be crushed by fanaticism.

The Church is not competent in all areas, but she has expertise in human, social justice, education, which concerns relations between peoples.