By — Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/islamic-state-takes-credit-french-church-attack Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Islamic State takes credit for French church attack World Jul 26, 2016 9:52 AM EDT The Islamic State took credit for an attack on a church in Rouen, France, after two men killed an 84-year-old Catholic priest and were then shot dead by police, according to the Associated Press. French President Francois Hollande denounced the “vile terrorist attack” and repeated France’s commitment to combating the Islamic State after recent high-profile attacks against Charlie Hebdo, Paris and elsewhere. Two men burst into the small, suburban church in northern France when retired priest, Father Jacques Hamel, was celebrating 9 a.m. Mass, the Guardian reported. They took him hostage, along with two nuns and two parishoners. The attackers then slit Hamel’s throat. When they exited the church, law enforcement shot and killed both men, saying they “neutralized” them in a tweet released at 11:15 a.m., local time. Authorities have not yet identified them. French President Francois Hollande (L) speaks with police forces after two assailants had taken five people hostage in the church at Saint-Etienne-du -Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, France, July 26, 2016. Two attackers killed a priest with a blade and seriously wounded another hostage in a church in northern France on Tuesday before being shot dead by French police. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol Pope Francis called the attacks “barbarous,” according to the Vatican on Twitter. “At this time our soul is once more shaken by sad news with regard to deplorable acts of terrorism and violence, which have caused sorrow and death,” Pope Francis said in a statement from Krakow, Poland. In a statement, former French president Nicholas Sarkozy said: “This is war. There is no choice but to win.” Police and rescue workers stand at the scene after two assailants had taken five people hostage in the church at Saint-Etienne-du -Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, France, July 26, 2016. Two attackers killed a priest with a blade and seriously wounded another hostage in a church in northern France on Tuesday before being shot dead by French police. REUTERS/Steve Bonet We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam is the Health Reporter and Coordinating Producer for Polling for the PBS NewsHour, where she has also worked as the Data Producer. Follow @LauraSanthanam @LauraSanthanam
The Islamic State took credit for an attack on a church in Rouen, France, after two men killed an 84-year-old Catholic priest and were then shot dead by police, according to the Associated Press. French President Francois Hollande denounced the “vile terrorist attack” and repeated France’s commitment to combating the Islamic State after recent high-profile attacks against Charlie Hebdo, Paris and elsewhere. Two men burst into the small, suburban church in northern France when retired priest, Father Jacques Hamel, was celebrating 9 a.m. Mass, the Guardian reported. They took him hostage, along with two nuns and two parishoners. The attackers then slit Hamel’s throat. When they exited the church, law enforcement shot and killed both men, saying they “neutralized” them in a tweet released at 11:15 a.m., local time. Authorities have not yet identified them. French President Francois Hollande (L) speaks with police forces after two assailants had taken five people hostage in the church at Saint-Etienne-du -Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, France, July 26, 2016. Two attackers killed a priest with a blade and seriously wounded another hostage in a church in northern France on Tuesday before being shot dead by French police. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol Pope Francis called the attacks “barbarous,” according to the Vatican on Twitter. “At this time our soul is once more shaken by sad news with regard to deplorable acts of terrorism and violence, which have caused sorrow and death,” Pope Francis said in a statement from Krakow, Poland. In a statement, former French president Nicholas Sarkozy said: “This is war. There is no choice but to win.” Police and rescue workers stand at the scene after two assailants had taken five people hostage in the church at Saint-Etienne-du -Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, France, July 26, 2016. Two attackers killed a priest with a blade and seriously wounded another hostage in a church in northern France on Tuesday before being shot dead by French police. REUTERS/Steve Bonet We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now