Rémi Brague: 'In the eyes of his two assassins, Father Jacques Hamel deserved to be eliminated for theological reasons'

Philosopher and historian Rémi Brague offers a unique perspective on the 2016 Islamist attack that killed Father Jacques Hamel, focusing on the theological dialogue that transpired between the two jihadists and the nuns present in the church. Brague suggests that, in the eyes of his killers, Father Hamel deserved to be eliminated for theological reasons.

The attack, which occurred on July 26, 2016, in the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, was an Islamist act of terror. However, Brague points out that the event is distinguished by the theological exchange that took place immediately after the atrocity. This dialogue between the perpetrators and the nuns offers a distinct angle on the event beyond its sheer brutality.

Brague's analysis, presented in Le Figaro, delves into the motivations behind the act, framing it not just as violence but as a religiously motivated execution. The philosopher emphasizes the theological underpinnings that, according to the assassins, justified their actions against the priest. This framing shifts the focus from a simple act of terrorism to a complex intersection of faith, extremism, and violence.