On Tuesday 26 July, following the terrorist assault on the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in a suburb of Rouen which resulted in the murder of Fr Jacques Hamel, Cardinal Vincent has expressed his horror at the attack in a letter to Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen Diocese. The Cardinal writes:
'I am writing to express my horror and deep, deep sadness, following the murder of Fr Jacques Hamel. I pray for the repose of his soul and for all those affected by the murderous assault that took place at the Church of Saint-Etienne–du-Rouvray earlier today. These senseless attacks continue to shock the world and all who hold that respect for human life is an essential foundation for every society.
'May God turn the hearts of all who commit evil to a true understanding of his desire and his intention for humanity.
'I assure you, too, of the prayers and condolences of the Catholic Community in England and Wales.'
Cardinal Vincent also wrote to Fr Pascal Boidin SM, Parish Priest of Notre Dame de France, the church in Leicester Square which is the heart of the French community in London. In his letter, he says:
'I write to express my horror at the terrible murder of Fr Jacques Hamel. I pray for the repose of his soul and for all those affected by the murderous assault that took place at the Church of Saint-Etienne–du-Rouvray earlier today.
'My thoughts and prayers are with those who witnessed this brutal attack. May God turn the hearts of all who commit evil to a true understanding of His desire and His intention for humanity.'
