Witness of the Church

Father Jean Marie Lassausse, a priest of the Mission of France has lived in the monastery of Tibhirine for the past 15 years, giving  testimony to his faith and living closely with the people there; following in the footsteps of the Trappist  monks, he is convinced that the beatification of the 19 martyrs of the Church of Algeria  (8 December of 2018) is "extraordinary, since it recognizes absolutely normal people: men and women who, like so many other members of the Church, have chosen to remain in Algeria in spite of knowing their lives are at risk." 

The first to be murdered on the 8th of May 1994 in the library of the Casbah were Marist Brother Henri Vergès and Sister Paul Hélène de Saint Raymond, a Little Sister of the Assumption. Following on these protomartyrs  were  consecrated members of several congregations, and finally the Dominican Pierre Claverie bishop of Orán. 

"The message of these 19 men and women religious is clear – adds Father Georgeon -: we have to strengthen our presence in the Church and demonstrate that fraternal coexistence and respect among religions is possible."  

Therefore, the celebration of this beatification must continue to foment a great sense of ownership of the n Church: a Church that " invites", that is small, humble, servant and loving. And this can describe each and every one of the 19 martyrs who have also experienced this so deeply, as well as many other members of the Church who still live. Their life and their death are an icon of the identity of the Church of Algeria. They have been examples until the end of their vocation as sacrament of Christ's charity for all his people. 

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Bro. Antonio Martínez Estaún, Postulator General