Unlikely bond emerges between priest's family and attacker's mother
Priest's sister and attacker's mother forge friendship, embodying reconciliation.
Event / Conflict
Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray Church Attack
July 2016 ISIS-affiliated attack on a Catholic church in France that killed priest Jacques Hamel. Includes subsequent conviction of associates, commemorations, and Father Hamel's beatification process.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 26 Jul, 08:59 UTC
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What happened
Sister of Father Hamel and mother of attacker develop unexpected friendship
Roseline Hamel, sister of Father Jacques Hamel, and Nassera Kermiche, mother of attacker Adel Kermiche, developed an unexpected friendship after the attack. Their story was documented in a jointly-written book titled 'Sisters of Sorrow' (Sœurs de douleur), symbolizing reconciliation and the possibility of peace despite the tragedy.
Rachid Kassim, suspected ISIS propagandist, sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia
Rachid Kassim, a propagandist for ISIS believed to have died in Iraq, was convicted in absentia of complicity in the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment with a 22-year period of security.
Two attackers identified as Adel Kermiche and Abdel-Malik Petitjean, both age 19
The two assailants who attacked Father Hamel and killed him were identified as Adel Kermiche and Abdel-Malik Petitjean, both 19 years old. They were claimed affiliation with ISIS. Both attackers were shot and killed by law enforcement forces at the scene.
Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray organized exhibition and campaign to honor Father Hamel
The city of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray established an exhibition and advertising campaign to honor Father Hamel and reaffirm his message of peace and fraternity. The initiatives were organized in connection with the tenth anniversary commemoration.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and other government officials attend commemoration
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, former Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve (who held the position in 2016), and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe attended the July 26, 2026 memorial service. All mayors of Seine-Maritime and approximately one hundred other local elected officials were also invited and present.
France commemorates tenth anniversary of Father Hamel's death on July 26, 2026
On July 26, 2026, the tenth anniversary of Father Hamel's death, France held a memorial service at the church where he was killed. The service began at 11:00 AM and was presided over by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, president of the French Bishops' Conference. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu delivered remarks, and former President François Hollande (who was president at the time of the attack) was present.
Priest Jacques Hamel killed in church attack in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray
Father Jacques Hamel, an 85-year-old Catholic priest, was killed on July 26, 2016, when two knife-wielding attackers claiming affiliation with ISIS entered his church during morning mass in the commune of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray in Seine-Maritime, France. He was found dead with his throat cut. A parishioner was also seriously injured in the attack.
Beatification process for Father Hamel underway at Vatican since 2019
A dossier for the beatification of Father Jacques Hamel was submitted to the Vatican in 2019 and remains under examination. Hamel was born in 1930 in Darnétal near Rouen and was ordained priest in 1958, serving as an auxiliary priest throughout his career.
Three associates of attackers convicted of terrorist conspiracy in March 2022
In March 2022, French courts convicted three associates of the attackers—Yassine Sebaihia, Farid Khelil, and Jean-Philippe Jean Louis—for terrorist association. They received sentences ranging from eight to thirteen years in prison.
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2 alternative perspectives
Vatican advances beatification process for murdered priest Hamel
Vatican beatification process for Father Hamel has been underway since 2019.
France honors priest's memory ten years after church attack
France observed the tenth anniversary of Father Hamel's death with official government participation and community tributes.
Associates convicted; suspected ISIS propagandist sentenced to life in absentia
Three associates convicted of conspiracy; suspected propagandist sentenced to life in absentia.
Two 19-year-old attackers identified in church assault
Two 19-year-old attackers killed priest Jacques Hamel in a church assault in France.